Rope Cutters

[JeremyF]

On reading the very good post 'first passage in my new yacht', there seems to be strong support for the cause being a rope fouling the prop.

I was considering fitting a rope cutter this winter to my saildrive, but unlike shaf drive cutters (or disks) which can be bought for £100, the saildrive equivalent from Ambassador is a fortune. Ive been looking for alternatives, with no joy so far. Ive had a nose around the yachts at the hard in Campers, and I would estimate that only 10% have cutters, with saildrives even less.

What is the forum's view on the value of rope cutters for South Coast cruising. Why have so few fitted them, when the evidence seems to suggest they are an invaluable safety feature. Are those that haven't fitted one simply playing russian roulette each year, or do people rely on a quick dive to sort out any problem?

<font color=red>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=red>

 

[jamesjermain]

Recent experience

While not against rope cutters I have always resistred fitting one on the rather shakey grounds that I don't like the idea of sailing round chewing up every fishing line,lobster pot, etc, come across. This is quite illogical because the pot/line is lost the moment it becomes tangled round the prop anyway.

Having recently cause a bank-full of damage to my saildrive by getting a rope round the prop, I have swapped sides and will certainly be fitting one. Apart from the cost I can no longer think of a good reason why not.

JJ<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by jamesjermain on 04/12/2002 11:24 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[tcm]

Re: quick dive

I'm in less lobster-potty crusing area. But with cutters or without, tis often useful to be able to dive outside the boat, so i have basic scuba gear on board.

 

[Spacewaist]

A prop wrap usually happens at the most inopportune moment - in close quarters manouvering or as the water shallows (such as the Looe Channel).

Having once had to skinny dip off the Queen Charlotte Islands (NW Canada) in the Spring in order to chop off a stray fishing net I became converted to a rope cutter within about 1 nanosecond of getting my feet wet. A dry suit may be the answer for some, but one big enough to fit me will cost more than a decent rope cutter!

Pontifications of the Panjandrum of orotund bloviation AD2002

 

[sailbadthesinner]

i have to say my recent jaunt along the south coats i was amazed at the no of pots and more importantly how far out they were.
we were slaloming around them from plymouth to falmouth there were about five every mile and this is some way out.

a couple of guys who had theiir won boats boats both had cutters and both had had cause to thank them.


If it F***s Flies or Floats. Rent it. For god's sake don't marry it.

 

[jamesjermain]

\'Bloviation!!!\'

Not in my dictionary, Spacewaist - etymology greatly appreciated.

JJ

 

[gunnarsilins]

What about closing......

....the gap between keel and rudder using a tensioned s/s wire?
On my yacht, old Moody 42 ketch, the prop sits with only about 1, 5 cm shaft showing outside the keel. I believe there is not space enough to fit a cutter.

A wire must be effective in stopping anything with boyancy to 'float' up between keel and rudder so hopefylly lobster pot lines and drift nets would not entangle.
But maybe a floating piece of net or similar, still can be caught by the prop if it´s pressed down under the hull and passes close to the keel?

Any opinions?

 

[tony_brighton]

Had a Stripper on my last boat and spec'd it for this one. Invaluable bits of kit and really effective. Mine has seen some worthwhile use.

 

[nicho]

Jeremy - after much good advice on this forum, I've specified one to be fitted to my new Bav saildrive - bloody expensive though. I was told Ambassador were the only ones to make cutters for saildrives

Mike n.

 

[Johnjo]

Jeremy
had a Spurs rope cutter on my boat,when craned out this winter
one half of the cutter was missing, But had small piece of heavy trawl
net still tangled on remaining cutter, I guess it did its job, but its
going to cost me to get it repaired!
mike

 

[chrisc]

We have fitted an Ambassador ropecutter to our Bavaria 34. Since then we have not once had a fouled propeller. All the way through the Baltic, North Sea and canals in Holland, Belgium and France. Some other boats did have problems with weed wrapping around the prop. There are marks on the cutter showing that it has done its job somewhere. Wouldn't be without it, and 300 odd pounds isn't that much money considering how much the boat costs!

 

[JeremyF]

Ambassador for Saildrive has a list price of £370. Seems extraordinarily expensive for a rotating pair of industrial scissors!

Are there really no alternatives?

If not, do Ambassador do LIBS price specials?

<font color=red>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=red>

 

[JeremyF]

A deal!

If you can find me one at £300, Chris, its a deal!

<font color=red>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=red>

 

[Karlvw]

We were told that Spurs did a cutter for a saildrive but the cost of having a new shaped anode was expensive. We sailed southwards without one but I am still considering fitting one. I guess it's like most safety equipment, expensive until you need it, and then of course it's worth every penny.

 

[Spacewaist]

Re: \'Bloviation!!!\'

Bloviate: \BLOH-vee-ayt\, intransitive vb:
To speak or write at length in a pompous or boastful manner. (bloviating, bloviated, Bloviation

For example: www.dictionary.com

Pontifications of the Panjandrum of orotund bloviation AD2002

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: What about closing......

I have the same problem as you - Long keel with little spare shaft to mount a cutter. However the long keel keeps most of the crap away - or so I thought until last year when the remains of a massive Polyprop trawl line formed a loose bundle round the prop. The prop still turned but we did'nt go anywhere! (Mid Channel in thick fog and a thunderstorm!) Dived overboard - loose tangle only and were on our way in 10 minutes - lucky I think.

When are you off on the cruise? Have you boaught a spade anchor yet - Hylas has some very good arguements,

Chris

 

[Guest]

Re: Drag Effect

I believe a magazine did some tests and found there was a small, but significant drag factor that increased fuel consumption and/or cut sailing speed.
That aside, I would never remotely consider owning a boat without a Spurs cutter. Mine has rescued me from 2 pot lines off Brittany and numerous encounters with that B***** Japanese seaweed.
I can understand why the drag effect precludes them from racing yachts, but I am quite happy to accept a 2 to 3% penalty in cruising speed. Try negotiating the Channel Islands/Brittany waters at night without a cutter. No thanks.

 

[david_e]

Re: extras

so i have basic scuba gear on board......don't recall seeing this on Col in the photo or was he just parking the mini-sub in one of the pods)

 

[pandroid]

Ambassador normally offer 15% off at (during) the LIBS. Of course, Sods law indicates that they wont this year....

 

[Skyva_2]

We have an Ambassador cutter and would not be without it. Our rationale was a rope round the prop in Yarmouth harbour; after a channel crossing the engine bearers were adrift and the boat stayed in Cherbourg for several weeks while it was fixed; £1100 and it would have been more in the UK. Somehow the insurance payed up.

Compare the Ambassador with the disc type at the Boat Show, the Ambassador edge will cut anything and ours is still good after 5 years (we have no connection witht the company...

Keith