Sucked in the tube rope

[blackhawkpilot]

BRAND SPANKIN' NEW to the forum. Just got delivery of a 2016 223 VRX and we sucked in the tube rope on day one. That stopped our day of fun. Limped it to the trailer and spent the next few hours trying to unravel it. Got most of it out, however there's still some wrapped around the shaft right at the impeller. I had my kids underneath with their smaller hands trying to cut the rope but those tube ropes are pretty beefy. There are two panels I see that can be removed for better access. Any other tricks that anyone knows of? It's the 4th of July and the we want to get out today.

 

[Bruce]

If you remove the spark plugs you can spin the shaft backwards to unwind the rope.

Personally I would take it to the dealer and remind them that their marketing says that ropes do not wind up around the shaft on BRP drives and demand they fix it.

 

[Julian]

Unfortunately there is no easy fix for this....just get up under there and keep cutting. Box cutter with the curved blade that you pull towards you is the best blade for this.

You have earned the honor of 10 Trophy points though for sucking up a rope....your first day out and first post on the forum! But that doesn't help get you out on the water any faster....sorry.

Needless to say...you will want to have a rope spotter (ideally and adult) from now on. I name someone to this job, and am in constant contact with them while engines are on....and before I start them "Rope clear?" and I wait for confirmation before starting.

 

[blackhawkpilot]

Can't find the spark plugs. Where are they?

 

[Bruce]

Can't find the spark plugs. Where are they?

@ScarabMike, can you help with this? I would guess they are on the top side of the engine.

 

[blackhawkpilot]

BRAND SPANKIN' NEW to the forum. Just got delivery of a 2016 223 VRX and we sucked in the tube rope on day one. That stopped our day of fun. Limped it to the trailer and spent the next few hours trying to unravel it. Got most of it out, however there's still some wrapped around the shaft right at the impeller. I had my kids underneath with their smaller hands trying to cut the rope but those tube ropes are pretty beefy. There are two panels I see that can be removed for better access. Any other tricks that anyone knows of? It's the 4th of July and the we want to get out today.

Here is a pic of where it's wound up

 

[ScarabMike]

@blackhawkpilot its a simple fix if you are handy with tools. You just have to remove the pump assembly (4 bolts), and cut the rope off then reassemble. The shaft did its job, and allowed you to limp back to the trailer.

Pump Removal:

View attachment 37724 View attachment 37725

 

[swatski]

Here is a pic of where it's wound up

I would say - definitely pull the pump.

Great picture, by the way! Thank you for sharing.

I am very impressed, actually. I think that the shaft/shield really did its job by limiting the amount of rope that ended up winding up around the shaft - just a small stretch at the impeller, it seems. Otherwise, it could be catastrophic quickly - rope can wind up tight along the shaft and "grow" into a cocoon that destroys fiberglass shaft tunnel. Yamahas are susceptible to that. Apparently, Chaps are not prone to that. That is a huge plus, I would think.

 

[blackhawkpilot]

@swatski That image was taken this morning after about 4 hours of unraveling and cutting yesterday and another hour or so this morning. Like I said, most of it is removed. If I take it to the water and try to crank the engines, do you think it'll cut up the rest of it (as Chaparral advertises) and spit it out? That's my next step as I'm in Destin, FL, (2 hours from home) with no tools.

 

[ScarabMike]

@blackhawkpilot There is a member close to you. His name on this forum is @Slugger55 . He may be able to help. He lives in Panama City right down the road. You can try to run the engine, but it looks like you are using a nylon tow rope. The friction may melt the rope on the shaft, and could cause more damage.

 

[Julian]

@swatski That image was taken this morning after about 4 hours of unraveling and cutting yesterday and another hour or so this morning. Like I said, most of it is removed. If I take it to the water and try to crank the engines, do you think it'll cut up the rest of it (as Chaparral advertises) and spit it out? That's my next step as I'm in Destin, FL, (2 hours from home) with no tools.

I'd run out and buy a small set of tools to keep on the boat. Make sure it includes a socket that matches the pump bolts and a good socket wrench and a box cutter. Then I'd pull that pump (5 minutes to get off, 5 back on) and hit the water!

I wouldn't want to put her on the water and HOPE it would clear....

 

[ScarabMike]

I agree with @Julian , You will always want to keep these tools on the boat for future use!

 

[swatski]

@swatski That image was taken this morning after about 4 hours of unraveling and cutting yesterday and another hour or so this morning. Like I said, most of it is removed. If I take it to the water and try to crank the engines, do you think it'll cut up the rest of it (as Chaparral advertises) and spit it out? That's my next step as I'm in Destin, FL, (2 hours from home) with no tools.

I don't know if I would run it, the way it looks to me - if it does not disintegrate, as @ScarabMike points out, you could end up pushing the rope (remnants) into the sleeve/shield and create a much bigger mess.

I know..., not the greatest timing to learn how to pull the pump. But, it will likely go faster than you think and may save the rest of the day!

--

 

[blackhawkpilot]

Owner's manual says that if I reverse the engine the other direction, it may come back out. I guess I'll go over to Eglin AFB and get some tools.

 

[Bruce]

Owner's manual says that if I reverse the engine the other direction, it may come back out. I guess I'll go over to Eglin AFB and get some tools.

Having access to one of their DIY shop bays should make this easy!

 

[jawsf16]

Most of Eglin will be closed today...

 

[ScarabMike]

The engine only spins in one direction. The bucket is where the engine redirects the water for reverse. Remember, these are direct drive engines with no transmissions.

 

[Slugger55]

Owner's manual says that if I reverse the engine the other direction, it may come back out. I guess I'll go over to Eglin AFB and get some tools.

@blackhawkpilot Are you at Crab Island? And did you find any tools?

 

[blackhawkpilot]

I'm in Valparaiso but heading back to Eglin. I have tools, but can't remove this white piece to pull the pump. It's plastic, maybe Teflon.

 

[blackhawkpilot]

@blackhawkpilot its a simple fix if you are handy with tools. You just have to remove the pump assembly (4 bolts), and cut the rope off then reassemble. The shaft did its job, and allowed you to limp back to the trailer.

Pump Removal:

View attachment 37724 View attachment 37725