Yesterday I was saling single handed (just with the genoa) and trolling a fishing line at the same time. I left the wheel for just a moment and the boat logically turned and started to sail backwards. Me pretty i started the motor to turn the boat to its original sailing position. So i get all the fishing line mixed up with the propeller. I turn off the motor, jumped to the water and with the help of a knife cut all the line i could and the motor worked fine. My question is that there was still some line (which i could not cut) between the propeller and the motor. Since the motor works fine should I try to cut the remaining line?, could I damage the motor by doing so.
Follow Moe's advice ....I dont know which motor you have, but if the seal leaks out your transmission fluid, you could end up with a really expensive repair. Even if the fishing line isnt cutting your seal one could see where the friction of the spinning hub on the line could do damage...
Sure I did catch a headache and a good advise for future trips no fishing while single-sailing...
My motor is a Suzuki DF50, If anyone is familiar on how to dismantle the propeller it would be really helpful advise...
Thanks in advance.
There is a big (exact size depends on O/B make) castle nut holding it on the prop shaft. The nut is held on by a cotter pin through the prop shaft. So, you need to use a pair of pliers to remove the cotter pin. The nut should just be finger tight (I've never had to use a tool to remove mine).
With the nut removed, it should just be a matter of sliding the prop off the shaft. There may be one or two washers on either side of the prop. make a note of where they are and which direction they face. For example, there should be a real beefy washer (called the thrust washer) that must go between the prop and the lower unit, or you'll find out how expensive your lower unit is.
The seal everyone is talking about is behind that thrust washer...
Thanks again.
One last favour, I dont have with me the owners manual for my suzuki df50. If anyone have scanned theirs it will be really helpful (Just the part about changing and/or removing prop)....
i started the motor to turn the boat to its original sailing position. So i get all the fishing line mixed up with the propeller. I turn off the motor, jumped to the water and with the help of a knife cut all the line i could and the motor worked fine. My question is that there was still some line (which i could not cut) between the propeller and the motor. Since the motor works fine should I try to cut the remaining line?, could I damage the motor by doing so.
