Folding Prop & Rope Cutter?

[Colin_W]

I currently have a fixed prop and Stripper on my 20/20 saildrive and am thinking of switching to a folding prop, I have heard that having a folding prop and rope cutter causes problems - does anybody know if this is true?

Thanks

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[waterboy]

Hi Colin
I have a rope cutter and folding prop on my Ben. There have been no problems that I have been aware of, though I did pick up a load of monofilament when motoring back from C'bourge at Easter that required the services of a diver. Apparently the cutter got rid of most of it but still left enough to make an 'orrible thumping noise when I tried reverse.

<hr width=100% size=1>I never make the same mistake twice. I always make new ones.

 

[malcp]

I have a folding prop and a stripper and the only problem I had was when sailing (prop folded) and a length of net snagged on the rope cutter. Got towed in and managed to pull the net free without need for diver. So one can conclude they are a nuisence when sailing but (probably) provide some protection when motoring, although I've not tested the latter.

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[Aardee]

I have a "stripper" and a folding prop on my shaft-drive Gibsea 302. Absolutely no problems to date (kiss of death, wait for the clunk).

<hr width=100% size=1>"I am a bear of very little brain and long words bother me..."

 

[jerryat]

Hi Waterboy!

That's an interesting story. I don't have a folding prop on my current boat so no direct experience of this scene. I wonder if these cutters work better if/when the rope/net/whatever is 'carried' into the jaws rather than drifting in? A folder, wrapped in netting or similar couldn't open to do this could it?

Be interested in others thoughts.

Good sailing!

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[Sunnyseeker]

to fold or not to unfold? we caught some debris as you do, thought it was clear going ahead fine no vibration...then many hours later came to moor up (very tired at 4.00am) did a lovely parking manouver, in a tight dead end in a strange marina (Bayona) and bingo it folded as I went into neutral then refused to unfold as I went into astern...bugger I think I said at the time, and used the well padded marina launch with friendly driver as a buffer! in the morning the net was in the folding gears! I didn't have a cutter but it wouldn't hacve helped as the net was trailing behind the prop from the gears...just had to tell someone....my spanish wasn't good enough to explain....he just thinks I'm a lousy driver (which I might be?)

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[Sunnyseeker]

Have you seen the new cutter that was in Yachty World this month quickutter?...it doesn't look like it could snag anything, so would be ideal for streamlined foldy prop people...I've gone back to a fixed as the foldy one was B**£$£"* and Volvo wont sell you one blade!

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[billmacfarlane]

I can't really think of an obvious problem. I've got a Volvo 120 Saildrive with a 3 bladed folding prop and Ambassador cutter, the installation being three years old and so far I haven't had a problem.

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[dulcibella]

I have a Stripper and a Brunton self-pitching autoprop and that works fine too.

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[Miker]

Mine's a Stripper and Brunton 2 blade. No problems. so far.

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[jessica]

I also have a Volvo saildrive fitted with a fixed 3 bladed prop and an Ambassador Stripper. I also got a 2 bladed folding prop with the boat and would like to try it to compare sailing performance. The length of the prop boss is such that I don't think the mix of 3 bladed Stripper and 2 bladed prop is a problem.
However the prop boss would need to be drilled to accept the 2 drive pegs for the stripper - anyone tried it - any problems?
I am loath to go without the stripper which I think is essential on a bilge keeler in the Channel.

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[EdEssery]

If you're on the south coast and/or can get to Winchester, I suggest taking the hub into Ambassador Marine and getting Robin to do it for you. He's got a shaft end, a jig for the holes and workshop bench drill. It took about five minutes. You also need to skim the ridge of the leading edge of the hub to make it flat. He can do this for you in his lathe at the same time.

As I say it took Robin five minutes to sort mine out when I bought my Stripper. I watched chaps on the next boat to mine do theirs the following weekend - it took them the best part of a morning to get it sorted...

I did suggest a trip to Winchester - it would have been quicker!

Regards,

Ed

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[EdEssery]

If you're on the south coast and/or can get to Winchester, I suggest taking the hub into Ambassador Marine and getting Robin to do it for you. He's got a shaft end, a jig for the holes and workshop bench drill. It took about five minutes. You also need to skim the ridge of the leading edge of the hub to make it flat. He can do this for you in his lathe at the same time.

As I say it took Robin five minutes to sort mine out when I bought my Stripper. I watched chaps on the next boat to mine do theirs the following weekend - it took them the best part of a morning to get it sorted...

I did suggest a trip to Winchester - it would have been quicker!

Regards,

Ed

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