any opinions on propeller guards?

marios · 14 May 2003, 12:04

dear ribbers,
while searching the net i found some probeller guards which it is something new for me .
here i post one photo for one of them...
is any one here used one ?
is it realy safe?

it doesnt influence the performance of the engine?

marios

Aging Youth · 14 May 2003, 13:10

Hi Marios,

There is a company developing a fully enclosed pro guard and is being distributed by BHG Marine in Bucklers Hard Southampton.

I saw these guards at a Beulieu Boat Show earlier this month. The advertising blurb says that due to the shape will give additional thrust by forcing water through the guard. Slightly different to your picture in that it full encloses the prop itself.

The cost was £150.00 sterling for one of the larger sizes. and fits in the same way as the Doel Fins.

I my view because the prop is totally enclosed no finger or toes should get in!!!! However, I do not know if will increse performance. Will wait and see, I intend to buy later this year.

Regards

dgpw · 14 May 2003, 14:21

The ones that I have used have taken about 20% off the power they have had a front to them so that a boat going forward wont take some ones arm through the guard.

I would only use them if the boat is going to be in inexperienced hands, near a beach allot or being used as a safety boat.

Jelly · 14 May 2003, 15:43

Prop Guards
The ones I have come accross have generally reduced the the engines power by a third and meant you had to drill holes in you leg.
The surf rescue boys and girls use them as does the RN sailing safety boats. Also seen them used when you are working with cables in the water.

If you are that worried about catching things how about a jet drive? They are no substitute for decent driving as fingers and toes can still get to the prop or get broken in the mesh guard.
Jelly

MikeL · 14 May 2003, 15:49

I have used prop guards while working on the south coast as a lifeguard. The engines we were running were mariner 30hp and 40hp. The 30hp was for an "arancia surf boat" these boat are fully inflatible and designed for rescue in and around the surf line. The engine have been modified and run ss props, the props fitt inside the main ring on the guard and there is only about 1mm of gap around. This means low end cavitation is mare likely but top end speed is uneffected. The guards had more protection around the front part and extended back a little. The 40hp version were modifide and did not work as well. (sorry about the spelling)

wavelength · 14 May 2003, 21:58

one of the lifeguard team we teach has a 4m searider with a 40hp yamaha. It now has a propguard on with more enclosure than the one illustrated. Drops the performance considerably down to the equivalent of a thirty at least. Its used off a shingle beach and the reason is for people in the water obviously-but I have concerns about picking up a stone in the guard and it jamming in the metal basketwork and catching the prop.

-<=[Tw18]=>- · 14 May 2003, 22:28

my experience with props guards has only been one of a disappointment,

We have used them (various versions ) on our sea cadet Searider 5.4 with a Mariner 50 2stroke, it reduces the power (acceleration and top speed) by a very noticable margin! and frequently they have broken (most of the time broken off and been ir-retrevialble)

although a wise option if saftey is of a utmost concern! But i must state the obvious when I say that common sense and precaution in any eventuality / scenario is probably the best defence you have against fatality's

gingercoastie · 22 January 2004, 16:50

Quote:

Originally posted by Aging Youth

I my view because the prop is totally enclosed no finger or toes should get in!!!! However, I do not know if will increse performance. Will wait and see, I intend to buy later this year.

Regards

AY, did you get one of these in the end, I saw them at the LBS, and they claim that thier guard increases performance?

I wondered if thier claims were true or just advertising.

Aging Youth · 22 January 2004, 18:44

Hi Gingercoastie,

Based on the Advertising Blurb and the feedback on Ribnet I decided not to fit a prop guard. I felt that there was no real benefit to be had. I spoke with my local lifeboat crew and they "DO NOT" have anything fitted to their engines.

Are you aware of any other Lifeboat Ribs who use a prop guard of any sort?

I can see the possible benefits to safety and protecting your prop from damage. However, I felt that the loss of performance & that no one else has used one; or if they did soon removed it. I felt it was not worth paying out for one. If I locate a second hand one I may try it out then, otherwise I will remain guardless.

Regards

The Jackeens · 22 January 2004, 18:47

Zapcats use them

Mind you they need them

gingercoastie · 22 January 2004, 19:14

My main thinking for getting one, was that at LBS I bought a watertoy to tow behind the boat for the kids, and I liked the idea of some protection around the prop.

I shall have to go and think some more

Suzuki416 · 22 January 2004, 21:16

Use a longer ROPE!!!

wavelength · 22 January 2004, 22:26

still don't think that one in the photo provides a great deal of protection anyway!

Paul F · 22 January 2004, 22:57

Had to put one on my old rib which had a 75 on the back, for cadet use and it does knock quite abit off the top end, and will cavitate earlier on sharp turns. We have one fitted on our Dory 40hp and will get through props quicker as the cavitation wears the prop away. It also does like to chew up the odd pebble that gets caught again that dont do the prop much good. So you need to bear that in mind

Barry Montague · 26 January 2004, 20:00

Hi All
just my 2 pennies worth
as previous Paul had to put one on because of sea cadet use i think rather than being boring etc as to performance check especialy if used as a club or organastion rescue craft or rib
see what is laid down with insurance and organastin /club rules
regulations as a sea cadet member myself i know their is a ruling on them
Barry

aligator · 27 January 2004, 09:27

Prop guards

Hi
I seem to remember an article last year in sports boat &rib mag
where they used a guard on an avon i think it was while on test and it received a good review .

as per usual with these things this is the one mag i cant find at the moment but will keep searching , as i thought it a good idea
re water skiing use.

I did find this site for them if it helps www.bhg-marine.co.uk

alistair

gingercoastie · 27 January 2004, 09:29

Quote:

Originally posted by aligator
Prop guards

Hi
I seem to remember an article last year in sports boat &rib mag
where they used a guard on an avon i think it was while on test and it received a good review .

I did find this site for them if it helps www.bhg-marine.co.uk

alistair

This is the one I am considering, I saw them at the LBS.

aligator · 27 January 2004, 09:33

Hi
gingercoastie

just this minute look at bhg site and the article is on there site!
so me old brain works after all.
alistair

gingercoastie · 27 January 2004, 09:40

The article does say that they lost up 6 knots of speed

But the web site says that it makes the prop more efficient at medium revs, therefore saving fuel

So I am still undesided

aligator · 27 January 2004, 09:44

I saw them at the boat show too and from the pictures ive seen
and what i can remember the guards appears to have big enough space and openings around it to shed all but the largest
of rocks.

alistair