Rope cutters , any good ?

[Andrew M]

Hi,

We are going from the Thames to being Solent based for the foreseeable future, what's the general opinion on needing to have rope cutters on a shaft drive boat ? Will be either on our S42 or possibly another 58' boat if a currently active, 1/2 way through the survey, purchase does go through.

I know nothing about them other than having read in MBM etc when they show any new ones.

Is there any negative in having them fitted ? If they do work in most circumstances and can keep you moving when you would otherwise have had a major failure then it looks like a good idea to me.

Was hoping to pick up info at the boat show but didn't actually see anyone doing them.

Thanks,

Andy

 

[fisherman]

Fit and forget for me.....almost. Have had to replace bits twice in 22 years, but otherwise many incidents avoided, mostly my own gear while working. Spurs in my case, Ambassador equally good, possibly better are the can't remember the name fitted by RNLI.

 

[Bandit]

The low drag ones used by the RNLI are the same as mine QuicKutters

 

[Bridgeman]

I am not sure what the bearings are now, but we had the cutters with a "plastic" type bearings,a couple of years ago. They only lasted a few months. We were told by manufacturer that they are not suitable in silty/sandy waters. I would check by email first with manufacturer if using this type that they are suitable for your area.

 

[Andrew M]

Hi,

Thanks, Well from what I'm gathering here and elsewhere it certainly looks like there isn't any great negative to fitting them so I'm erring on the side of getting some. Most types seem to work well to some degree but the QuicKutters have def got very good reports.

Thanks,

Andy

 

[Bandit]

The Negatives are cost, cavitation of the prop and drag

The rotating blade cutters including the French disc cutters cause substantial drag some people reckon half a knot to a knot so your fuel burn as litres per mile goes up accordingly ie x% more diesel per mile. Probably north of 10% more fuel.

The rotating blade cutters in higher cruising speed boats say 25 knots and above do get cavitation behind the blade fixed to the shaft.

The QuicKutter is no cheaper than the others but insignificant drag and no cavitation.

I have had shaft drive boats with rope cutters for 20 years and you hear them work and I would not be without them as we have lots of pots around here.

 

[Bertramdriver]

I wanted simplicity and fitted Protectors, a simple rotating disc. In first week of use they chewed up a lobster pot line and a small bit of nylon net. After hauling out no sign of the work theyve done other than small bits of string hooked around the rudders. I guess theyve already paid for for themselves.

 

[fisherman]

I am not sure what the bearings are now, but we had the cutters with a "plastic" type bearings,a couple of years ago. They only lasted a few months. We were told by manufacturer that they are not suitable in silty/sandy waters. I would check by email first with manufacturer if using this type that they are suitable for your area.

This is true, I had a boat with 1.1:1 reduction in a sandy harbour and the plastic bearings suffered. Now I have 3:1 and clean water, no problems.