For MustRib: Propeller guard

[azzurro]

Hi MustRib (and all):

I've noticed in your pics you own a Honwave 380 with a 20hp 2T Yamaha engine, and you have fixed a red propeller guard.

My boat is similar to yours. How does your engine behave with that propeller guard, comparing without it? Speed, turns, handling, fuel? Where did you get it? Did you fix it or had someone else do the job?

Cheers!

[MustRib]

I fitted the prop guard before going on holiday last year.
I was using the boat close to a beach and sometimes bringing the boat ashore on the beach. Amongst all the children, including my own ! it seemed the right thing to do, to minimise the risk of a dreadful accident. I fitted the guard myself following the installation instructions. It had an effect on the boat performance - I would say it dropped top speed by about 20%. Despite the manufacturers saying it would not. This season I have removed it as not using the beach for launching, and have re-fitted the bolts into the skeg and sealed them. I got the guard from Ebay, but they are available in the UK from BHG Marine.

[azzurro]

Thanks you MustRib.

I have a similar problem: mooring by the beach, children, diving . And a terrible experience.

I spend my summer holidays near a marine reserve.
Anchor mooring is not allowed in certain areas, to avoid damaging Posidonia (a sea plant).
Stopping the engine may be dangerous when close to cliffs.
So while picking up divers the engine should be at least at idle speed.

During Summer 2008 a 18 years old boy was killed by his boat (probably he forgot the security lanyard). We all saw it from the beach, at a very small village near Almeria. When they took it back to the sand he was absolutely bloodless. His name was Jose Manuel, I know his family.

http://www.elalmeria.es/article/alme...aguamarga.html

20 knots to 16 knots and increasing a bit fuel consumption seems a low price. So I am considering the propeller.

[samt]

If you order from BHG, ring them first to make sure it fits your engine. I've fitted several, and they're HP guide means nothing!