i can only recall using it one time total out of all the boats over the years, sucked a damn ski rope as well

Never, I have never had mine off on the current boat (won't come out do to the setback of the pump) 

GT

Back in about 85 on Xmas eve while watching the parade of lights from the water, we sucked up some kelp. So here we are in the dark, in the middle of the San Diego Bay and i'm having to pull that cover and grab as much kelp as I can, as fast as I can, as what seamed like the whole bay was draining into my boat. I think we had to pull it 3 times to clear it enough to get the pump to hook up. Ahh the memories.

Back in about 85 on Xmas eve while watching the parade of lights from the water, we sucked up some kelp. So here we are in the dark, in the middle of the San Diego Bay and i'm having to pull that cover and grab as much kelp as I can, as fast as I can, as what seamed like the whole bay was draining into my boat. I think we had to pull it 3 times to clear it enough to get the pump to hook up. Ahh the memories.

Did that out by Catalina one time, my step dad was a SEAL so he pulled out his mask and went swimming pulled it all out from underneath. I sucked up a bunch of tullies at the power tour and beached it on a sand bar and before I could, Marc reached up into the intake and pulled out what seemed like 50lbs of reeds lol. (Thanks again Marc!!!)