Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

[hostage]

I manged to pick up a ski-rope this weekend on my prop. I noticed it when I took the boat out of the water. It almost caused a fender-bender as my engine stalled when I went in reverse and it wouldn't let me shift it back in forward. Luckily I was quick with the ore and the g/f on the dock help catch the boat.

-Hostage

 

[PS94]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

Is it people tossing them, or simply losing them? I found a really nice one on my prop 2 weeks ago, didn't hurt it, and it was much nicer than the bargain rope I'd bought on the coast!

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

I picked up an american flag people fly on there sailboats a couple months ago. I knew right away something was wrong when I didnt have the power I was used to...usually means weeds on the prop...or an american flag.

People lose all sorts of stuff when there on a boat...shirts, ropes, basically anything that isn't secured down will go in my boat. So far 2 hats and 2 shirts. I give these people 1 warning and than they learn the hard way.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

I very much doubt people are toss them over. They lost it by accident, and when they circled back to find it, couldn't.

My son actually did this to me a few weeks ago. My dad was skiing and I pulled him near the buoys so he could pull himself into shallow water and let go.

All went as planned, and then my son (the spotter) decided he would start to gather the rope as we looped around. Well, he grabs the rope, and it's still dragging in the water and sorta tight, the damn thing just pops right off the ski pole and into the lake.

Well, I panic a bit because it's an expensive wakeboard rope that actually doesn't float, only the handle). So I quickly circle back. My son feels terrible and as soon as I cut the engine near the rope handle he dives into the water and retrieves it without even being asked.

So, crisis averted! I was actually cursing how the rope doesn't float, but the upside is that it greatly reduces the chances of getting caught in a prop.

And just the clarify - the rope slowly sinks. Meaning when dragging it around it floats on the water so the fallen ride can grab it. But when sitting int he water without anything pulling, it very slowly sinks.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

I only throw them away in the water if I am in NY.

So YOU'RE the one. There're folks lookin' for you...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

A rope on a prop will often stop the prop abruptly. Fishing line, especially braided can wrap up inside and pop the prop off or break the lower unit seals, letting water in and then catastrophic failure. So check your prop for fishing line!

Something like a flag can block your water intake, causing overheat. Plastic bags kill jet ski's.

If you have a "man overboard" button on your GPS, hit it when something falls overboard at high speed so you can find it. I keep a net on board, even when not fishing, for scooping up floating treasures as well as litter.

Some people suggest keeping your bow line shorter than your hull so it can't reach the prop if it falls over; not a bad idea unless you really need a long one.

(yesterday a boat fishing near me had line wound around his; he got it clear (had to go overboard with monster jelly fish) but I was standnig by to help. I also got one of my lines wrappped because the current was spinning my prop, but I just unwound it)

 

[hostage]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

I just hope I didn't damage anything. My boat was having issues switching gears, at first it was stalling when i put it in reverse.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

Thats funny.

 

[Thad]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

OK, for future reference, any and all good ropes, bumpers, jackets, or anything else of use fell off of my boat. The current took them to the Mississippi and then to the gulf. From there, the wind and currents took them to wherever you found them. And as for all of them found on inland waters, it was the wind. Oh yeah, and on the side of the road, they were mine too. Must have blown out. I would appreciate it if you guys would mail those back to me, pre postage paid, and I will be sure to thank you on a new thread "return my stuff".

Seriously though. Items do blow out, come loose or what have you. I think I am at least observant enough to know if something is getting ready to go or going, but it happens.

I do believe there are people who are lazy or just don't care enough to think about the consequences of throwing trash in the water. They are the ones who probably wouldn't even learn if they were to get tied up in their own trash. It is sad, but that is why people wear water shoes at the sand bar. Other peoples trash and broken glass and what have you.

I too hope there is nothing wrong with your drive. But if there is, and it turns out to be costly, your insurance should cover the repairs.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

Was down in th Fl Keys some years ago and picked up a rope on my prop. Unwound it and pulled it in. Darned if there was not a lobster trap on the end with three legal lobster. Had a stove on board and a jug of wine - - - ahhhh them memories!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

Sunday I was fishing and a minnow bucket like mine went floating by. I had been at a friend's yard sale earlier and he tried to sell me one he found floating but I already had one. Happy day I thought now I can grab this one and have a yard sale too. Then I realized it was mine....
need to go revisit the post on tying knots I guess

 

[rbh]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

Found a bobber in the lake leaned over to grab it and pull it and a fishing rod in, no fish though.

 

[ChappyEight]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

How about oil?

Pretty sure those of you unlucky enough to be in the gulf have bigger issues than ropes, eh?

 

[hostage]

Re: Do not throw your unwanted ropes in the water!

I can understand that stuff can blown out, though I try to be organized and a clean person as it is I never realized the hazards potential carelessly throwing something overboard could cause, until I found the rope on my prop. I never have thrown anything overboard, just never realized how much it could damange a boat. The way the rope looked it appeared it snapped and then someone decided to just throw it over board instead of putting it in their trash. This is more of an FYI, not is it only illegal to litter, but things can always end up wrecking your boat, if your careless.

-Hostage