Ski Rope Got Twisted Around Drive Shaft

[scrump]

Hey Everyone,

I was out this weekend getting my wakeboarding on when my friend ran over the rope turning to pick me up after I wiped out. I had to cut the rope because it had tightened up around the drive shaft and locked up the steering in the back. (I'm sure it is hard to get a visual, but it was a mess!!) :ack: I had to run the boat back on one engine, put it up on the trailer to take a look......and there was a about 10-15ft of rope entangled on the shaft and luckily nothing went through the impellar :hurray: I did notice though after I had cut all the rope out that the blue sleeve surrounding the shaft that comes directly out of the hull was cracked. I put the boat back on the water and everything ran fine as usual, I checked the engine comapartment several times and found no sign of any damage, no wierd noises, no excessive water take on, nothing. So my question is.....................How vital is it that I replace this sleeve and what might be some consequences that may arise from not replacing this.


As always....Thanks in Advance for any Advise,

Scrump

 

[Skatman]

.........I wouldn't...

I tangled my rope last year and I had the same question. Well, after getting the rope out, the boat runs good, no warped shaft and no water leaking. So, long story short. If it doesn't affect the operation of the boat, then why bother?

 

[wildziner]

I've seen the rope sleeves that they sell to prevent this from happening, but I thought they were only for jet skis? maybe since they only seem to be about 2 feet long - maybe I'll get a couple of them and attach to the rope after it clears the back of my speedster 150. Did you invest in one of these after it happened, skatman?

 

[Skatman]

....Ski rope...

No, I didn't. I actually had just started the boat when I realized I was over my rope. Then shut the motor off real quick. It still made a birds nest though. I was towing my 7 year old daughter on a tube, like 3 mph..:rofl: and had already thought of the possibility of sucking it up. Then I thought, nah, I'm to damn smart, I know it's back there. I won't suck it up........
Well, never say never............I thought about how stupid I was after the fact. Not because I did it but because of the arrogance thinking I wouldn't!
It's easy to suck a rope up. But for that matter, it's easy to tangle one around the prop of an outboard. So, I think taking care is the best policy.

 

[scrump]

Cool

Thanks for the input guys, I guess I will leave it be. :chillpill: As stated with skatman, I know how you felt as far feeling kinda dumb about the situation or arrogance as you put it. My friend had never driven my boat and I went through the whole speal about how to start it, how to turn, what to do, but I didn't say a word about watching for the rope!!!! Lesson learned by both parties.

scrump:cheers:

 

[kustomkarl]

I think that's called ....oops! It bites to be human!

Karl

 

[Gunsrunner]

Me too!!!:stupid:
I did the same thing 2 months ago, completely shattered the plastic cover over drive shaft. I didn't bother replacing it, it didn't work anyway, rope still got caught.
Have used the boat heaps since and haven't noticed any difference at all.
I also found it easier to pull the pump off the back to release rope, came straight off without cutting.
P.s. i was driving at the time!!:redface:

 

[kustomkarl]

The more human we are the more we do oops!...It happens more on jet boats as the pylon is in the top of the rear seat, and causes it to slack more in the water on a pick up of the fallen tuber.

Karl

 

[wildziner]

So what's the best thing to do for this? Use the rope sleeves that I've seen at the dealership? We're planning on taking the kids out tubing for the first time in a few weeks, and want to make sure I'm as careful as possible with everything.

 

[robin savell lloyd]

Have someone keep an eye on rope! they do make ropes that float but I have read that some one even had a problem with that. :cheers:

 

[scrump]

Nice to know

Nice to know I'm not the only one........and by the way the rope that got caught up does float, I would think that if it hadn't been floating on top of the water it would be less likely to get sucked up when ran over, you just have to keep an eye out and tell your jet boat newbie friend "Don't drive over the rope!!!".

scrump :cheers:

 

[robin savell lloyd]

Very good point.:agree::agree:

 

[kicking_water]

i have done the same thing. i got the rope cut out but i took it out the next day and it seemed to have a vibration at top end like when you are full throttle. when i whip the back end around of the jet ski it vibrates jsut wondering if the rope situation could have caused this