Maine sailors share our waters with thousands of lobster traps. I've
been careful, lucky & carry insurance, but don't want to to dive in
freezing water to cut off a wayward line.

My Pearson 323 has a fiberglass enclosed keel with about 7 feet from
the aft section of the keel to the leading edge of the rudder skeg. A
fine trap for lines, with the otherwise unprotected prop waiting for
any line (or floating seaweed) that comes within reach.

I've made many a fishing hook weedless by bridging the gap between hook
and eye with light line, and I'm wondering if a small cable or line run
from the bottom of the keel to the bottom of the skeg would provide me
with protection. The line would be 20" deeper than the prop, and
should permit sufficient side clearance as well.

Has anyone tried this? Will it work? Should it be cable or rope? What
are the hidden detriments (assuming that I install it appropriately)?
Do I need to design some mechanism so that the line/cable would part
(similar to the device used to permit fishing gear to release on undue
stress)? What would work for last purpose?

Steve Hayes
Readfield, Maine