posted 11-15-2009 09:25 PM ET (US)            

That prop may have propelled (PUN INTENDED) itself some
distance if it was spinning good when it came off. Think
a bit out of the box about how far it could have gone and
which directions.

posted 11-16-2009 12:40 PM ET (US)            

http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1440+Sugar+Barge+Road,+Bethel+ Island,+CA++94511&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=14&ll=38.023889,-121.621313&spn=0. 032793,0.085144

Forget the grappling hook. Most folks don't have one laying around and it is VERY unlikely to hook the propeller even if you were able to drag it directly across it.

All stainless steel propellers are magnetic, even Mercury's X-7 alloy Enertia, but that does not mean a magnet would be able to pick up a propeller. A propeller's shape is very complex and a large magnet will only make solid contact with it at one or two small points while spanning or rocking on the surfaces of the prop.

Dave reports the water is only six feet deep. The trick is to locate the prop in the first place before retrieving it. If visibly prohibits even snorkeling, then I would probe the area with a rod. You should be able to tell if you are tapping the prop by feel.

Once located, the prop could be scooped up with a long handled pool skimmer.

Obviously, getting in the water with SCUBA gear would be the fastest way to locate the prop. I have to think there is some CW member nearby with SCUBA gear or even a competent Free Diver?

posted 11-16-2009 12:58 PM ET (US)            

Years ago a not so nice neighbor of his made such a fuss about boats being kept at the end of his street(public area with slips) that the town made it illegal to dock your boat at the public street ends which had been practice of many for DECADES. Needless to say the prop nuts on his twin engined SeaRay somehow came loose and when he put the screws in reverse the props went flying off. As far as I know, they were never found. You would be amazed at how far they may go, especially if reved up some.

posted 11-16-2009 01:11 PM ET (US)            

I also told Dave the story of a friend of mine here in Seattle who did the same thing with his 50 footer as he approached a draw bridge in the Lake Washington Ship Canal here in Seattle. He put it in reverse, there was a clunk, and the prop was gone.

He asked a local commercial diving school if they wanted to send some students to try to find it. They were thrilled to have a "real" recovery mission to practice on.

posted 11-16-2009 04:13 PM ET (US)            

Dave

posted 11-16-2009 04:55 PM ET (US)            

I understand there are some authorized services that do hull cleanings/maintenance via divers at marinas, and of course, the fire department/police dive team can go wherever they want.

I always understood that swimming in a marina was not allowed.

Of course, that doesn't keep some people from doing it. Just this summer we witnessed a gentleman dive from the docks at Killbear Provincial Park Marina in Ontario after his wife dropped his cellular phone when disembarking the boat.

If you are near powered docks, be sure to have a person standing by with a life ring and a boat hook to get you out of there if you get shocked by stray current.

posted 11-16-2009 10:21 PM ET (US)            

How much was that new Prop?

Getting a professional diver to do it might cost almost as much as a the prop itself with no guarantee of success.

I tried to retrieve someone’s new kicker out of potato slough once and the visibility was 0.0. It was in about twenty feet of water with a current. When I got to the bottom, I kicked up the silt and I couldn’t even see my air gauge. After fumbling around in literally pitch black water for about 40 minutes, I came up empty and got an ear infection for my trouble.

Visibility anywhere in the delta is crap and you would have to literally bump into it to find it. I could do it, but between gas and gear rental, the cost would be at least $100 with no guarantee.

posted 11-17-2009 08:44 PM ET (US)            

Dave

posted 11-18-2009 08:08 PM ET (US)            

Thanks so much.

posted 11-23-2009 06:01 PM ET (US)            

I've been following your story, Soory to hear of your latest dilema

Does this diver think you'll ever recommend him to somebody else?

So he'd only make a "Hundy"... That's just the tip of the monetary ice berg. Dave could have sent him other customers with other work... there is no substitute for good, FREE, word of mouth advertising.

Good customer service really helps in times like these.

If I lived a bit closer I'd throw my gear on and see if I could help you out.

Good luck,

posted 11-24-2009 01:31 AM ET (US)            

*Non-essential trivia ahead:
A couple of years ago, they got chewed into by rodents. Then last year, that problem seemed to disappear, save for the holes in the flexible, slinky-esque ducting and our concern over breathing dried rodent leavings. Well, this season, I closed up all the small holes and paths into the crawlspace and that very day, some creature[s] started attacking the ducting. In the end, it turns out it was a skunk, who had taken up residence under my house, and now he was trapped and unable to do his nocturnal foraging. Not that he hadn't earned his keep, either. Turns out the skunk had eradicated all the rodents and dangerous spiders, they eat black widows, apparently, and termites. They are slow moving, poor climbers, and nearly blind, though they have outstanding hearing and smell. And they reserve their spray only for when it's _really_ neccessary. While I was doing my work under the house, I only saw the skunk once and that was after I had pulled away a long slinky-snake of ducting that he was hiding amongst the coils of. And even then he didn't threaten me. He just ambled away, cool as a cucumber. I really like the little fella now and I appreciate all the free pest control he performed for me. Still, I'm going to lure him out and close up my crawlspace... somewhat sadly.

posted 11-24-2009 08:03 AM ET (US)            

I would have been very surprised if the author of this thread was able to have his propeller retrieved by a 3rd party for less than the cost of a new one.

posted 11-24-2009 12:50 PM ET (US)            

Far be it from me to say what people should be paid. I believe in lettng the market decide. Around here, the skilled trades like welding and fabricating, machinists, and certified marine and auto service, go for about $100/hr give or take, overhead and all included. Two out of 7 hvac contractors even bothered to return my call. Both estimators spent 5 minutes, and neither got down in the crawlspace for a look before they spat out their huge estimates. As one who belives in the free market, I concluded that they really didn't want the job, (at least at market rates). But every man has his price, and I assume these guys found a price at which they would be willing to do this lousy job. Maybe they had plenty of other less unpleasant work they would rather do at market rates?

Thanks for the vote of confidence about pilot pay. It used to be much better. It just hasn't kept up with COL.

posted 11-30-2009 05:08 PM ET (US)            

Tony

posted 12-01-2009 11:54 PM ET (US)            

I have had the same painter employed in a variety of projects in my home, for many years now. It is almost insulting to call him a painter, as his breadth of knowledge is amazing. He has done a lot of custom interior wood staining for us. Many of his staff lack English as a primary language.

Over the years while his crew are here, EVERY Friday, I provide lunch. When I worked part-time, I cooked it. When I worked full-time, I sent it in and mixed it up. Simple stuff- pizza, Chinese, etc.

EVERY TIME his crew shows up here, they ALWAYS remember lunch. Old crew relay it to new crew (I speak their tongue, I know what they say). Cost me $20-40 dollars each time. It bought:

1) Incredible loyalty
2) A sense of self pride in the work they did
3) Respect for each other, as employer and hired hand