Prop Sox

roycruse · 20 October 2005, 21:51

Does anybody use these ?

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/Produ...oductID/104631

Are they legal for towing here in the UK ?

tcwozere · 20 October 2005, 21:54

I was under the impression you had to cover your propellor with an orange cover, (or equivalant,) when towing.. If this is the case, then no-one would be aware of whats actually on the prop..

hard1 · 20 October 2005, 21:55

Why not? They are fluorescent orange and they look a better deal than those £12 orange bags that go white in sunlight....

roycruse · 20 October 2005, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

I was under the impression you had to cover your propellor with an orange cover, (or equivalant,) when towing.. If this is the case, then no-one would be aware of whats actually on the prop..

I was refering to these being used instead of a prop bag not under one.

What is the law on this exactly - are these suffiently hilighting the prop to be legal for towing.

There can be no dought they are better at shielding the blade tips from damaging anybody/anything than a standard prop bag.

Mollers · 20 October 2005, 22:02

Prop Sox? Got a feeling my Granny used to wear 'em.

tcwozere · 20 October 2005, 22:08

Not sure of the exact wording of the law Roy, the only thing I could find is this..

"7. If you are towing a boat with an outboard motor you must use a reinforced plastic bag or bucket or the propeller and outboard legs. Similarly masts there must be no sharp edges which could cause injury."

From here.

I would have thought tho, if anyone was concerned about damage to the prop, removing it when towing would only take a minute or so..

roycruse · 20 October 2005, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

I would have thought tho, if anyone was concerned about damage to the prop, removing it when towing would only take a minute or so..

Sorry - Im confused...

I obviously have not articulated my self properly.

I am considering buying these for use instead of the crappy orange bags WHILST towing.

I do not want to remove them when towing - i will only put them on when towing.

I was just unsure whether the whole leg needed to be covered (ie by orange bag) to meet the requirements of the law. OR if these were in fact usable instead of an orange bag for towing in the UK.

Thanks for your time replying though - I just obviously did not make my self clear as to what I intended to use them for in the first post.

Paul F · 20 October 2005, 22:32

I use them all the time, last hell of alot longer than the stupid bags.
Wise to put engine in gear to stop prop from windmilling whilst towing or they may disappear enroute

And they are cheaper than the bags
Paul

Kernow Buoy · 20 October 2005, 22:34

Roy
Provided the overhang of the trailer is less than 2 metres ( hope so

)
the marker/marking should be 'clearly visible'. Prop Sox are fine.
Kernow

tcwozere · 21 October 2005, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

Sorry - Im confused...

I obviously have not articulated my self properly.

I am considering buying these for use instead of the crappy orange bags WHILST towing.

I do not want to remove them when towing - i will only put them on when towing.

I was just unsure whether the whole leg needed to be covered (ie by orange bag) to meet the requirements of the law. OR if these were in fact usable instead of an orange bag for towing in the UK.

Thanks for your time replying though - I just obviously did not make my self clear as to what I intended to use them for in the first post.

I meant remove the prop when towing, and just have the bag covering the leg.. If the prop made contact with the road, or any other surface, I agree the plastic things would offer more protection than a bag, but not much more.. Also, if the prop is raised, (well duh..

,) when towing, how much of the reflective strip would be visible to the following motorist?

roycruse · 21 October 2005, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

I meant remove the prop when towing, and just have the bag covering the leg.. If the prop made contact with the road, or any other surface, I agree the plastic things would offer more protection than a bag, but not much more.. Also, if the prop is raised, (well duh..

,) when towing, how much of the reflective strip would be visible to the following motorist?

Ahh - i think we finally understand each other

Yes good points you have made - i will ask steel developments about them to see what they think.

I dont really want to be taking my prop off everytime I put the boat on the trailer (go through a load of cotter pins) - I was just thinking these were a neater - more robust solution than the bags which I seem to go through about 2 a season of.

tcwozere · 21 October 2005, 10:40

It would definitely be more robust..

If you don't want to remove the prop between launches, another option could be a short length of plastic pipe placed around the prop, (similar to a prop guard, but not as expensive,) with two holes drilled to tie it around the leg.. It wouldn't negate the need for a visible thingy attached to the prop when towing.. Unless it was orange pipe, with the outer end covered in plastic..

Stuart M · 22 October 2005, 23:08

I use these prop sox. Superb things - IMHO a lot better than a bag and bungy straps.

Kernow Buoy · 23 October 2005, 00:47

prop sox

In case anyone's wandering

edit. oops just noticed Roy's link, best not to post under the influence

Hightower · 23 October 2005, 09:12

They look too much hassle to get on and off IMHO, bag is OK for me. Plus...Why would you want protection for your prop when on the trailer?

Pete7 · 23 October 2005, 09:45

Surely a large stainless steel prop swinging about at bonnet height is just the thing to keep the numpty in the car behind you at a safe distance from your pride a joy

Pete

Nos4r2 · 23 October 2005, 10:25

I've got one of these-they are made from the same material that flak jackets are made of so don't tear easily and don't go white. They have drawstrings so no bungees either.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/CAN043/

Stuart M · 23 October 2005, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I've got one of these-they are made from the same material that flak jackets are made of so don't tear easily and don't go white. They have drawstrings so no bungees either.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/CAN043/

Looks Good - much better than bungess

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

They look too much hassle to get on and off IMHO, bag is OK for me. Plus...Why would you want protection for your prop when on the trailer?

Very easy to get on and off - much quicker than a bag from my experience. Although the orange bag above with a drawstring looks good.

Anything with bungees is a) liable to take your eye out at some time and b) scratch the engine leg IMO