3 replies to this topic

[mjbinks]

I am going to take the kids out tubing this weekend and have already managed to suck up the bowline a few weeks ago.  Is it possible to suck up the rope while in neutral?  I know there is always water passing through but is it enough force to worry about.  Thanks!  Very paranoid right now.

[Johnny O]

Yes, it will suck up the rope. I've done it. It's a direct drive, so if the engine is running, the shaft is turning and the water is flowing through. Neutral just means a shaped gate is redirecting half the water flow back the other way.

Luckily, when it happened to me, the rope didn't get into the impeller. All it did was wrap around the shaft and abruptly stop the engine. But, I had to continuously dive under the boat to cut the rope off the shaft. Which took me about 20 minutes because I was in the waves at Pensacola Beach. lol

So now, if I can't maneuver the boat to keep the rope away, I quickly turn the engine off.

And, I keep a sharp knife on board so I don't have to borrow one again, just in case....

[grieves5481]

Having a spotter helps out lots too. Making sure the rope is clear of the boat before starting and moving. Even just holding the rope in the air, till you get moving then slowly releasing more rope.

[mjbinks]

Thanks to you both.  No issues this weekend.  Hope to keep my streak alive.  One lost week to a rope was enough for this year...lol.