[kbelton]

My wife took the boat for a vacation while I worked. Last day out they sucked up the ski tow rope. According to her, the engine stopped. They couldn't get the rope out so they cut it. What remains is wrapped around and I can't reach it with the shield in place. Looks like 5 bolts hold the shield in place. Is this something someone with some mechanical know how can remove and attempt to untangle or is it best left to the dealer? It has to go in for service, but if I can do it I will. What are the chances something else is messed up?

[STEPHEN X-20]

By shield, I assume you are talking about the intake grate. I have yet to do this with my boat, but sucked up a rope with my PWC once. I removed the intake grate which allowed me enough room to cut the rope out. This is something you should be able to do yourself if you have a few tools and don't mind crawling under your trailer. Good luck.

[TheRazz]

Man this happened to me and it was a pain. I spent about an hour in the water reaching into the impeller to cut rope. Once I got home I was surprised at the amount of rope that wrapped around the shaft in a short time. Be prepared to crawl under the boat with some sharp scissors and a sharp knife. Patience will be the name of the game. I did not have to remove anything to do this but it was a tight fit.

[torstein]

I had the same problem, and I used a long knife. I was laying under the trailer and a buddy helped me heating it with a gasol-flame.
The knife can be blunt, the trick is that you melt the rope. Dont heat it to much, fire-hazard. Let a buddy reheat the knife when kneeded.
You can do the job alone, but then you have to crawl upp and down under the boat.

In Sweden were I live there is a product called gasol, I think many call it LPG or Propane gas.

[dug]

It happened to me and i removed the pump in 20 minutes and was back on the water.

[hrdtduck]

I too have done this all too many times...depending open model you can disconnect the grate cable and the grate will open a lot further then get under there with a sharp knife cut it out...usually there is no other damage, see if the shaft seal leaks any water into the engine compartment.

[jdseadoo1]

I had just brought my first Seadoo with 40 hours, I had many boats before, and took it out a few times, yesterday I took the kids and my sister out. I always want to have another adult with me. Anyway, all was wonderful and I was ready to head home when my son wanted to go tubing one more time. The engine was running and I went into gear then the engine stopped. My sister said the rope is stuck. I then turned off the battery and jumped over board yup it was stuck. I then went under the boat several times but couldn't free it. Then we got towed back and my brother met us with the trailer. I waited until I got home to do anything so I would have my arsenal of tool. The rope was wrapped around the shaft and didn't enter the impeller. So I cut the rope and began unwinding it but could reach, and I removed the intake grate. The rope was out in less then 5 min and only about six feet of rope. When I put the grate back on I used marine grade silicon in the front bolt then decided to flush the system with fresh water and everything seemed okay. Lesson learned take up the slack.
I am assuming all is good, but is there anything I should check before taking her out again?
Do the wake towers reduce the chances of this type of problem?

[FJHIII]

jdseadoo1, on 12 June 2011 - 03:03 PM, said:

Do the wake towers reduce the chances of this type of problem?

No, you can't use the tower to tow anything except a wakeboarder.

[FJHIII]

I was 40 miles off the California coast when my buddy sucked up a rope. We were prepared, the secret tools for me are long pliers and a folding gardening saw. I just cut every wrap.