After the line gets caught in the screw: This needs to be checked
Once the belt has been removed from the pulley following a jam, the problem is often not yet resolved. The actual damage may lie deeper within the drive train and sometimes only becomes apparent later in the form of vibrations, leaks or breakdowns.
For the care and maintenance of movable screws, we recommend our article on Propeller maintenance, on the subject of fouling and efficiency, see our article on Propeller fouling protection.
Text: Nico Krauss; updated by Antonia von Lamezan, 5 August 2026
Whether it’s sails or mooring lines hanging in the water, fishing nets adrift out of sight, torn fish traps, stray ropes or plastic waste, there are a number of hazards for the rotating propeller underwater. And regardless of what caused the engine to stall unexpectedly, urgent action is required: “The best course of action following an incident involving foreign objects that leads to the engine stalling is to head for the nearest crane and a workshop,” says Manuel Keinberger. The managing director of Kiesow Schiffsmotoreninstandsetzung in Kappeln goes on to explain: “The potential effects of a line caught in the propeller on the materials involved are not immediately apparent and can lead to further damage if the engine continues to run, posing a safety risk.” However, any suspicion that the expert is trying to boost business with such statements is unfounded; the order books are full, and new customers have little chance of being taken on.
If in doubt, remove the propeller and shaft
Following an accidental entanglement of rope in the propeller, Keinberger and his trade association strongly recommend the professional dismantling and disassembly of the propeller; depending on the type – whether a folding or fixed-pitch propeller – this may result in various external and ‘internal damage’ to the mechanical components, gears and bolts; continued use of the propeller may cause further damage, potentially leading to a complete loss of propulsion, with the associated risk of a casualty.
In addition to the propeller, the shaft should also be removed and meticulously checked for deformation. This is not possible whilst it is fitted. Even if the entire shaft is visible, damage would only be apparent in the case of significant deformation; minor deformation can only be verified using measuring instruments. To do this, Keinberger’s staff clamp the affected shaft into a lathe and measure, with millimetre precision, whether there are any deviations. “Even minor deformations lead to imbalance in the drivetrain, which can have a negative effect on the clutch and the gearbox,” says Keinberger.
Seals, bearings, saildrive: the hidden consequential damage
Furthermore, the entire peripheral system – such as the stern bearing, propeller shaft seal and other seals – is affected, which in the medium term leads to further damage and, in the worst-case scenario, can result in water ingress. Complications can also arise with a Saildrive if the drive is brought to a sudden halt by rope: the shaft seals and bearings can be damaged and start to leak, and the shaft and deflection mechanism can become deformed.
At first glance, it seems to be a rare occurrence for the propellers of sailing yachts to become caught in the grip of a rope. At any rate, according to the insurance broker Pantaenius, this type of claim accounts for only a small proportion – less than one per cent – of its annual claims volume. “When a conventional propulsion system on a sailing yacht is affected, it’s very frustrating from a financial point of view, but the damage is usually manageable. With a saildrive, things quickly become more complex, including the peripheral components. The situation is considerably more serious with motor yachts, where, depending on the design, the gearbox may also be affected,” explains Holger Flindt, who heads the international claims department at Pantaenius. If, for example, a jet drive, Z-drive or Volvo’s IPS system is damaged by floating debris or running aground, it really hits home – the cost of repairs can easily run into five figures.
Precisely because minor deformations or damaged seals on board cannot usually be reliably detected, a professional inspection following such an incident is more than just a precaution.
What to check after a line has become entangled in the propeller
- Propeller mechanics
- Shaft deformation
- Bearings and seals
- Clutch and gearbox
- For Saildrive, this also includes a deflection pulley and shaft seals
Series: Propeller emergencies and propulsion protection
The series shows what to do in an acute emergency, what potential consequences there are, how problems can be avoided, and what equipment is useful to have on board.
Nico Krauss
Freier Fotograf