On a recent night sailing trip, we were happily going along at 5 kts
when suddenly, she slowed down a lot for a few seconds and then
suddenly jumped forward and we heard a loud pop from below and the
tiller swung sideways. Based on what we had seen in the daylight, we
think we probably hit a crabtrap line.
Normally hitting a trap float head on they simply slide past and they
stay away from the prop but in this case I think the line caught on my
large exposed rudder and we dragged the whole thing until it slid off
the sloping rudder that has some barnacles on its leading edge. The
barnacles may have sliced the line.
I propose to install a seratted line cutter made from Beryllium -
Copper on the leading edge of rudders. I'd use this material because
the copper would keep growth off and the use of the Beryllium copper
would insure it kept a good edge (it is much harder than copper and is
often used to make non-ferrous springs).
How often is snagging such line a problem for other sailors?

In article ,
says...

On a recent night sailing trip, we were happily going along at 5 kts
when suddenly, she slowed down a lot for a few seconds and then
suddenly jumped forward and we heard a loud pop from below and the
tiller swung sideways. Based on what we had seen in the daylight, we
think we probably hit a crabtrap line.
Normally hitting a trap float head on they simply slide past and they
stay away from the prop but in this case I think the line caught on my
large exposed rudder and we dragged the whole thing until it slid off
the sloping rudder that has some barnacles on its leading edge. The
barnacles may have sliced the line.
I propose to install a seratted line cutter made from Beryllium -
Copper on the leading edge of rudders. I'd use this material because
the copper would keep growth off and the use of the Beryllium copper
would insure it kept a good edge (it is much harder than copper and is
often used to make non-ferrous springs).
How often is snagging such line a problem for other sailors?

The only comment I have is might it be better not to serrate the leading edge,
just leave it straight so ropes etc. would slide down and slice the rope. A
serrated edge might just keep the rope in one place on the "blade" and grab the
rope..

Scotty

--
Can I haz Cheezeburger?

"Frogwatch" wrote in message
...
On a recent night sailing trip, we were happily going along at 5 kts
when suddenly, she slowed down a lot for a few seconds and then
suddenly jumped forward and we heard a loud pop from below and the
tiller swung sideways. Based on what we had seen in the daylight, we
think we probably hit a crabtrap line.
Normally hitting a trap float head on they simply slide past and they
stay away from the prop but in this case I think the line caught on my
large exposed rudder and we dragged the whole thing until it slid off
the sloping rudder that has some barnacles on its leading edge. The
barnacles may have sliced the line.
I propose to install a seratted line cutter made from Beryllium -
Copper on the leading edge of rudders. I'd use this material because
the copper would keep growth off and the use of the Beryllium copper
would insure it kept a good edge (it is much harder than copper and is
often used to make non-ferrous springs).
How often is snagging such line a problem for other sailors?

WW2 subs had wires from the hull out to the outer leading edges of the
control planes and rudder to deflect moored mine cables. Should work for
crab pot lines.