PeteMylett
Well-Known Member
Simple question really. Do rope cutters on propellors work, and if so what make is recommended?
Rope Cutters
- Thread starter PeteMylett
- Start date
Robin
Well-Known Member
Yes they do. We had an Ambassador Stripper on our last boat that removed a plastic 'hessian' scallop bag that we picked up at 4am on a foggy night. Our current boat also came fitted with one (saved me buying one) and it chewed off a bit of net floating in a raft of weed off North Brittany a week ago. I personally think the 'Stripper' is the most robust and more likely to nibble away at plastic bags and the like than some of the others and the simple rotary disc ones I believe would be poor performers but have no evidence for that just instinct, they are certainly cheaper though.
waterbuffalo
Well-Known Member
I have found evidence that my rope cutter has cut something, but I did not notice it at the time.
In my opinion the Ambassador cutter works.
In my opinion the Ambassador cutter works.
DERF
Well-Known Member
Yes indeed they do.
I too was sceptical, but after having poly bag around props had "spurs" fitted. I have twice since cut through rope!
Wouldn't have a boat without them now.
I too was sceptical, but after having poly bag around props had "spurs" fitted. I have twice since cut through rope!
Wouldn't have a boat without them now.
cardinal_mark
Well-Known Member
FWIW, I have a single spinning disk type which was already in place when I bought our boat. I too had heard they weren't as effective as the stripper type and queried it with the surveyor (David Hopkins) at the time . He reckoned there was little to choose between the two and actually preferred the single disk for its simplicity.
I haven't (knowingly) used it but one thing I do know from bitter experience is that its razor sharp!
Mark
I haven't (knowingly) used it but one thing I do know from bitter experience is that its razor sharp!
Mark
stevebirch2002
Well-Known Member
Having used both types I can assure you that the Stripper/Spurs system is far superior. Have a look at all Yachting Magazine tests. I personally like the Ambassadour Stripper and have now fitted quite a few on Vegas with new Beta engines. Works a treat, easy to fit and very well made. I have no connection with Ambassadour Marine.
Sailfree
Well-Known Member
Concur the Ambassador stripper is the best had it on 2 previous boats. Present boat came with a different type that only cuts once the rope tightens up round the shaft. Had 4 ropes on it in 4 months so far and while all have been cut the efficiency of the propellor was seriously affected with the remaining amount of cut rope wrapped around the propeller.
Unfortunately its often little loss of speed going forwards but when you try going astern hardly any power at all.
At SBS intend to buy a feathering prop and ambassador stripper to hopefully reduce rope wraps.
Unfortunately its often little loss of speed going forwards but when you try going astern hardly any power at all.
At SBS intend to buy a feathering prop and ambassador stripper to hopefully reduce rope wraps.
rhinorhino
Well-Known Member
As my (now replaced) very short spinaker sheet bears witness, they do work.
Seriously, they do work and are a great safety bonus.
Seriously, they do work and are a great safety bonus.
TigaWave
Well-Known Member
Yes, but there are now three types to consider, each type having a very different method of operation.
Disc/Scissor/Shaver. The shaver type are what is fitted to the new RNLI boats.
Talk to an independant marine engineer or stern gear supplier about each if its not clear to you how they may effect your drive set up.
Disc/Scissor/Shaver. The shaver type are what is fitted to the new RNLI boats.
Talk to an independant marine engineer or stern gear supplier about each if its not clear to you how they may effect your drive set up.
webcraft
Well-Known Member
Do folding props cope any better with ropes, or do you need a cutter just as much with one of these??
I reckon if I have managed (touching wood hastily) three thousand plus miles with the dreaded combi without a serious wrap - where you can't even whack it into neutral when you see you are about to run over a rope - then if I manage to scrpe up the dosh for a proper engine / gearbox and a folding prop I might economise in this department . . .
I only have one rope cutter tale . . . a friend with a Moody had done many thousands of miles with no worries (albeit he is a diver and usually had gear on board) but decided to fit a cutter for the trip from Scotland to his new des res in the Canaries. Going into Eastbourne for fuel he caught a (substantial) rope round the prop and ripped the P-bracket partially out of the hull. He was towed in with the boat rapidly filling with water and spent a week on the hard - cost him over a grand. The rope cutter (disk type) had made no impression on the rope.
I would fit a Spurs or Stripper type if I was fitting one, I think . . . a spinning knife on its own is unlikely to be able to exert enough pressure to cut a rope in many situations. Does the forum think both these devices work equally well?
- Nick
I reckon if I have managed (touching wood hastily) three thousand plus miles with the dreaded combi without a serious wrap - where you can't even whack it into neutral when you see you are about to run over a rope - then if I manage to scrpe up the dosh for a proper engine / gearbox and a folding prop I might economise in this department . . .
I only have one rope cutter tale . . . a friend with a Moody had done many thousands of miles with no worries (albeit he is a diver and usually had gear on board) but decided to fit a cutter for the trip from Scotland to his new des res in the Canaries. Going into Eastbourne for fuel he caught a (substantial) rope round the prop and ripped the P-bracket partially out of the hull. He was towed in with the boat rapidly filling with water and spent a week on the hard - cost him over a grand. The rope cutter (disk type) had made no impression on the rope.
I would fit a Spurs or Stripper type if I was fitting one, I think . . . a spinning knife on its own is unlikely to be able to exert enough pressure to cut a rope in many situations. Does the forum think both these devices work equally well?
- Nick
tcm
...
i agree that rope cutter isn't a panacea. I have gear on board to go under, and for the (erk!) p-bracket damage the Kollision Kit from force 4 is pretty good at stemming leaks even when wet.