Commercial fishing boat longline hauler - making a floating ejector knife

This is an 8" hydro-slave hydraulic line hauler. These haulers come with a factory fitted, fixed ejector knife. They are perfectly fine for hauling rope for crab and lobster pots, but I want to use this one as a longline hauler. You have to make a counter-balanced, floating knife assembly that is very precise to eject longlines from the sheeves, without the hooks getting jammed between the knife and sheeve. Here I make and fit a knife assembly, so it will haul longlines fine. If there ever does get a hook or snood behind the knife, you just pull the knife down and take it out. No tools, and it takes seconds. Its very handy to have a welder and engineering knowledge in the commercial fishing game.

[@brianbannamin689]

Did it work? any videos of this or other ones working? I think to try this as well

[@beanysfishing2555]

I havent used it yet, but Ive made exactly the same knives before and they work well

[@brianbannamin689]

@@beanysfishing2555 thanks - I dont understand how this works where the normal hauler knife doesn't?

[@beanysfishing2555]

@@brianbannamin689 the normal knife isn’t precision ground, so the snoods and hooks can get jammed between the plates and knife. This is alot closer, and if something does get jammed, you can flick the knife on the counter balance and it can be cleared

[@fransoldman841]

Nice work on the knife sir! How does it perform? Does it eject the line like you want? Im trying to make something to haul my lines in with also, my back ain't what it used to be.

[@beanysfishing2555]

I havent actually used this one yet, but I've made them exactly the same before and they work a treat. Hand hauling is long gone, its a back breaker, especially if there is loads of weed

[@raymitchell4220]

Well done, it'll be good to see you catching with it, we've all got projects 'we'll get done one day', take care, Norfolk Ray

[@beanysfishing2555]

hahaha you are spot on there! With fishing and boats, there is always something needing doing. Ive got a list as long as my arm!

[@backyardmechanic921]

Custom made beats buying stuff thats over priced.

[@beanysfishing2555]

We cant buy these knives, everything has to be custom made.

[@merv690]

great bit of engineering, it will be good to see it in action, and I guess you have saved your self a few bob too

[@beanysfishing2555]

Yes, anything involving stainless and engineering is expensive. I would guess it would be around £200 to get a fabricator to do it.