Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I was out floating behind our anchored boat and the wake pushed me away from the group. I didn't realize how close to the boat I was and kicked my feet out to swim back. Caught the ball of my foot on the prop. 13 stitches and two weeks later my foot is pretty much healed up. But now we're really worried about the safety of our kids and guests.

I want to know what you guys think is the safest way to swim behind the boat? We're now extremely cautious and only let the kids use the back to climb up the ladder, but I'm still worried. Thought about raising the motor up, but that scares me too because it puts the prop at head level. Thinking a cover might be the best.

Can't say that I've ever heard of a cover placed around the prop but I suppose ya can find anything if you want it...

Perhaps install a bow or side gate ladder so that frolicking kids can avoid the motor area as much as possable...

But your not going to be able to avoid the motor if your dealing with tubes or wake boards so one must just practice extra caution...

Is your prop stainless they tend to be sharper, if it is I would get an aluminum prop they aren't as sharp.

A quick Google threw this up as on option.
http://www.sail-world.com/Propeller-Gua ... oats/92873

Handyman Herb uses a prop guard on his toon motor.

I used one till my brother broke it and hasn't replaced it because they want so much for it, I tried to get a group buy going earlier this year but no one wanted to jump in, but if they are wanting 300 for them , they need to back them up when they break, they added slow speed handing so much and well as stop what you did

Dang that sure would add a lot of protection... I'd forgotten how big that guard was.

Generally if you're near a boat and wake is present you need to be careful. If not the prop you could hit your head on the rail or front of the toon's. Heck the edges on the toons and/or lifting strakes could do damage as well.

Was the engine running while it was anchored or did you just kick a static prop?

Have you tried tilting your motor up so its out of the water for the most part?

I always kill the engine when swimmers are in the water around the boat

Perhaps a trolling motor with a plastic prop would be safer.

You could potentially use these for your purpose, though they are sold as a trailering accessory...



PROP SOX

Bamby wrote:You could potentially use these for your purpose, though they are sold as a trailering accessory...



PROP SOX

LOL .... That would not last long with me... For some reason I can't remember to pick up the ladder half the time!

Thats why I always thought it odd that a lot of pontoon boats have the ladder in the back. Mine is on the side.

HandymanHerb,

Where did you buy it from? I can't even find a place on the net to purchase. Pease tell more about improvements over and above just stopping someone from banging into the prop when on anchor and swimming around.

Thanks!