Have a look at my prop again,

Firefly625

Firefly625

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Do I need a rope cutter?

OK, a bit subjective. To fit one I guess would never be the "wrong" thing to do.... but do I really need one?? The boats 8 years old and never had one. When I was looking to buy I did notice that not one Hardy with the same enclosed skeg was ever listed as having a rope cutter. Surely if I went over a rope in the water....it would simply pass right under the boat without touching the prop....OK, I know the answer to that, there isn't one as it may, or may not??!!? But what would you do?

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if the rope is at a right angle to the direction of boat movement, then you might get away with the skeg diverting the rope, but if the rope is parallel to the dir of movement, then it could get drawn into the 'tunnel'. Try to imagine the water flow as it comes from amidships towards the stern: it must be drawn in by the prop and accelerated over the rudder.

Go for a cutter if you have any doubts.
 
My boat has a similar skeg arrangement but is fitted with a rope cutter. I reckon the skeg will offer more protection than a boat without one would have, but when the prop is rotating it will tend to drag in any loose rope in close proximity.
There's one thing for sure, it definitely wont do any harm to fit one.
 
Philiz said:
My boat has a similar skeg arrangement but is fitted with a rope cutter. I reckon the skeg will offer more protection than a boat without one would have, but when the prop is rotating it will tend to drag in any loose rope in close proximity.
There's one thing for sure, it definitely wont do any harm to fit one.
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....I guess my feeling too.
 
Philiz said:
There's one thing for sure, it definitely wont do any harm to fit one.
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I'm not so sure about that! I had "strippers" fitted (by BA Peters in chichester, who weren't the most skilled of fitters admittedly and imho) to the last boat, at some massive price. They worked "well" as in I didn't notice them, for a couple of years. Then they started clanking. Turns out I was meant to replace the plastic shim washers or something. I took them off by diving down in warm med water. In solent it would have spoiled a cruise and meant a lift out. Since removing them in 2006 I have had no problems and I wouldn't (and didn't) have them on the new boat.
 
Well there's always the exception that proves the rule. I suppose it depends a little bit on where you operate as to what the risk of picking a rope up is.
We're in the Menai Straits and due to the considerable tide movement there can be all sorts of debris in the water, from poly bags to dead sheep. So my view is I'm better off having a rope cutter.
In fairness, in your particular case the fact that rope cutters were fitted didn't cause any harm, the problem being due to poor fitting more than anything.
 
jfm said:
I'm not so sure about that! I had "strippers" fitted (by BA Peters in chichester, who weren't the most skilled of fitters admittedly and imho) to the last boat, at some massive price. They worked "well" as in I didn't notice them, for a couple of years. Then they started clanking. Turns out I was meant to replace the plastic shim washers or something. I took them off by diving down in warm med water. In solent it would have spoiled a cruise and meant a lift out. Since removing them in 2006 I have had no problems and I wouldn't (and didn't) have them on the new boat.
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I do keep thinking that the boat has not had them in 8 years.... the last owner I know was not short of a bob or two, anything (apart from a prop), the boat required he had done. I am sure if he had every got a rope round the prop he would have had a rope cutter fitted.

But saying that I was just looking at the T Norris website that was suggested as a good prop supplier on my other thread and I was looking at the "Shaft Knife", they seem simple and inexpensive and I could fit..

http://www.tnorrismarine.co.uk/shaftknife.php

....comments please!
 
Philiz said:
D'ya want me to see if B & Q have any?? :D
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OOOh, yes please!!!!...............you are lucky, us southerners have to rely on swindlerys for our boat gear whereas you can simply go to B&Q. I assume they also supply anti foul at half price..... actually next time you are there can you also have a look for a prop, I will give you the size!
 
Firefly625 said:
OOOh, yes please!!!!...............you are lucky, us southerners have to rely on swindlerys for our boat gear whereas you can simply go to B&Q. I assume they also supply anti foul at half price..... actually next time you are there can you also have a look for a prop, I will give you the size!
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Doesn't matter about the size, they're adjustable. You are talking about a washing line prop? :p
 
The ones that come out best various boating mag tests were the Ambassador Stripper, Spurs and others of similar design, one 'knife' rotating against a fixed 'knife'. None of the circular knife type seemed to do very well.
 
M33 said:
The ones that come out best various boating mag tests were the Ambassador Stripper, Spurs and others of similar design, one 'knife' rotating against a fixed 'knife'. None of the circular knife type seemed to do very well.
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I think you gets what you pay for..... the knife variety are far cheaper than spurs etc..
 
Now you've gona and done it firefly. You discussed fitting a ropecutter, so now Sod's Law has been introduced into the issue. If you don't fit one, you're gonna pick up a rope early in the season and have to be towed back in.

If you do fit one, it will never see a rope. :D
 
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