4 replies to this topic

[tbrindisi]

I knew it would happen eventually. My girlfriend always complains that I am way too cautious about everything and I worry too much, but now she see's why its so important to always make sure the rope is clear before starting the engine! The person in charge of making sure the rope was clear while I was in the water waiting to wakeboard just assumed all of the rope was beside the boat and told her to start it and idle out.

Since I saw what was about to happen while I was floating behind the boat ready to wakeboard, I started shouting profanities as soon as I saw her go to start the engine. She immediately stopped the engine after she started it up, but it was too late. About 20-30 foot of rope got sucked up and wound around the drive shaft in that short amount of time. Tried to swim underneath and pull it out, but it was wound up too tight and way too much of it to pull out. We decided to start paddling and try to signal someone to help us out.

After paddling and blowing the whistle as loud as we could, and holding the oars up as high as we could when we saw boats going by, we finally got some nice people on a pontoon boat to pull us back to the boat ramp. After getting it out of the water I was able to cut the rope and untangle it all without having to take the grate off. I can see all the way to the impeller and it appears all the rope is out.

This is my first time having this problem and I'm just wondering if there is anything else I should check before cranking the boat back up? We didn't start the boat back up with the rope in it and made sure to shut it off quickly, so I hope it didnt do any damage. Anyone have any suggestions before I take it out again next weekend?? Thanks!

[amontanez]

I had this happen to me once and it really sucks when this happens. Once I cut the rope loose off the drive shaft my boat ran fine. THe rope did not go through the impeller which I was luck. I figure if it did not go know further through the impeller you should be fine. I use my boat to go tubing a lot. I always tell the person on the tube to hold the rope close to the boat until I start pulling away slowly.

[Frayed Knot]

I had this happen to me once and it really sucks when this happens. Once I cut the rope loose off the drive shaft my boat ran fine. THe rope did not go through the impeller which I was luck. I figure if it did not go know further through the impeller you should be fine. I use my boat to go tubing a lot. I always tell the person on the tube to hold the rope close to the boat until I start pulling away slowly.

Good to know if it ever happens to me.

[seadoofanatic]

Luckily this hasn't happened to me yet, doesn't sound like a good time getting the rope out.

[Braveit1]

Soemone correct me if I'm wrong but I think the manual says to remove the spark plugs. That releases the compression which will allow the prop to spin backwards. You may be able to pull the rope back out after this.