In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Terry Streeter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes >I keep hearing this mantra that "No rope should be long enough to reach >the prop" which IMHO is a load of old tosh. In 20 years boating (the >last seven of which have mostly been fairly intensive single handing), >I've never had (or even heard of) a boat's rope actually getting caught >on the prop. > >Even if the rope did get caught all you will end up with is some >combination of a broken or damaged rope, a stalled engine and a trip >down the weed hatch to clear the blade. I suppose there is some >theoretical risk of being crushed between the boat and the rope as it >tightens, but if you're into worrying about risks that small you should >probably not go anywhere near a boat .
I have had a long centre line caught in the prop and it is very, very scary. You would not believe how quickly it tightens and snaps - and I'm talking 12 mm rope. If any of it were wrapped around a body part it would be instantly severed. Stern lines are usually tucked out of the way when single-handing but one must be very aware of the possibility of fouling the prop and be very careful. Wassail! -- Martin E Phillips http://www.g4cio.demon.co.uk Homebrewing, black pudding, boats, morris dancing, ham radio and more! The Gloucester-Sharpness canal web page http://www.glos-sharpness.org.uk
