Shaft line cutter - your opinion

[srhawk454]

Hey folks,

Did anybody install a shaft line cutter? Crabpots are keeping me sleepless after seeing them strategically placed in the front of marina entrance in Everett during the lighted boat Christmas parade. Dodging these entangling devices at night was a challenge I still can't forget... 😀
There is a number of them, e.g., shaft shark (https://ab-marine.com/shaft-shark/), spurs line cutter (https://spursmarine.com/private-vessels/), and more: (https://www.getaprop.com/shaft-componen ... ne-cutters). There is even a combo line cutter (https://www.seashieldmarine.com/product ... ding-zinc/).
Any experience with installing line cutters on Ranger Tugs? Seems like a great addition to protect against crabpots/nets etc.

 

[Mastercraft]

It sounds like a good idea. I never heard of this before. I am curious of how well they work and why the big price range. I have put 900 hours on a Mastercraft inboard and cut a ski rope out three times. First time was someone else’s stray rope floating. It took “only” a half hour to cut it out with a plastic McDonalds knife, back when the knives were strong and had teeth. We took turns going underwater holding our breath to do the cutting. I started carrying a dive mask and a sheath knife. Had to use it two times. One time was my fault. I now carry a mask and sheath knife on a Ranger 29 for that purpose plus for other unknown events. Hopefully I will never need it since the water may not be the enjoyable waterski temperature. I wonder if it could cut a fishnet or bad seaweed.

 

[Mastercraft]

One more thought. You probably thought they are just cool underwater lights below the swim step on Ranger Tugs. Well they are there so you can see to cut the rope and seaweed out of the prop.

 

[Chimo]

I have to be honest, I have thought about one of these cutters in my Chesapeake Bay boating days. They were prolific there and a nuisance.If I’m out at night I go really slow so I can see obstacles. I don’t want to run over a log, a dead head or a crab pot.

 

[srhawk454]

It's not purposely running over the crabpots/nets, I'm sure none of us will ever do this. It's about if someone's way of fishing interferes with your boat ability to move. If people put crabpots next to the very busy marina's entrance (as they don't care), it is reasonable to expect some boats will get caught and I don't want my single screw boat to get disabled in the middle of the night because of someone's questionable way of crabbing. I'm avoiding crabpots like a plaque, but they are getting closer and closer to my slip...

 

[knotflying]

They work, but make sure you have enough space between the keel and the back of your prop.

 

[Someday*]

They work, but make sure you have enough space between the keel and the back of your prop.

This.
My broker said there isn't enough room for one for that reason (R29)

 

[Todd Tugnut]

Just be sure to put a decal on your swimstep to warn divers, should you forget to tell them. If you have a diver work, on your hull they could be injured.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Have one on my R29 Classic. Came with the boat. Have no idea if it works... If I didn't have one, I probably wouldn't bother.

 

[Mike and Sarah]

Alex, From my pictures during our R31 build I don’t think there is room for a line cutter on the prop shaft.
We saw all those crab pots in the marina entrance when we left for Poulsbo. 10 days ago. Those are all tribe pots. I totally agree they should never be in a navigational channel during the day or night. There was a bunch of pots in there back in mid Oct too. Couple years ago a buddy with an I/O motor caught a crab pot float on his outdrive in the same area. Fortunately it didn’t make it into the propeller.
One good thing is most crabbers use lead line so the line would be straight down from the buoy. Floating poly line causes most of the problems.