shaft rope cutters

[Powersalt]

I have always had the security of rope cutters and wanted to fit them to my new boat but on enquiry I am told Princess do not approve of them being fitted. I cant get to the bottom of why but has anyone else fitted them to a P42 and were there any problems etc.

Very interested to hear your views

 

[Tranona]

pm sent

 

[Powersalt]

Cheers. Any one had them fitted on a P42?

 

[MedMilo]

Can't really help with the P42 but I fitted them on my Fairline Sq58 against Fairlines advice. They said that the cutters would cause the shaft (and therefore the boat) to vibrate. I ran them for a year and one or two people who really knew the 58 well said they could detect a slight vibration on my boat. I think I could just feel a slight shake but it was pretty hard to tell. I took them off in the end because I was told that unless the nylon washers are changed regularly they can cause the blade that rotates on the shaft to snag with the fixed blade with disastrous results!! Another thing to think about, not much floating rope in the Med...so off they came!

 

[Bassplayer]

Anyone throw any light on the toothed vs disc type cutters differences in performance?

 

[Powersalt]

THanks for interesting reply. So Fairline dont like them either.

In the channel Islands there are ropes, pots and plastic everywhere, which is why I wanted to have them fitted but I dont want to cause problems later.

I had them on my prestige 36 and not knowing any better I thought they did a good job.

 

[MedMilo]

I expect they react to different boats in different ways and only have a detrimental effect on a relatively small number. I'd ask Princess if they have are nervous about cutters in general or do they know of particular cutter problems on the P42 (Fairline were particularly concerned about fitting them on 58's). If it's just a general concern I'd be inclined to try them anyway. I'd also ask whoever you buy them from if they are 100% sure they'll be fine on a P42 - I expect they'll say yes(!). At least you can then take them back for a refund if they cause any vibration. You'll want to lift the boat out to fit them but a diver could easily remove them, which is a bit cheaper!

 

[aquatom]

I've not experianced vibrations caused by rope cutters but have seen a few shafts that have corroded quiet badly under where cutters have been fitted.

 

[Powersalt]

I expect they react to different boats in different ways and only have a detrimental effect on a relatively small number. I'd ask Princess if they have are nervous about cutters in general or do they know of particular cutter problems on the P42 (Fairline were particularly concerned about fitting them on 58's). If it's just a general concern I'd be inclined to try them anyway. I'd also ask whoever you buy them from if they are 100% sure they'll be fine on a P42 - I expect they'll say yes(!). At least you can then take them back for a refund if they cause any vibration. You'll want to lift the boat out to fit them but a diver could easily remove them, which is a bit cheaper!

I will also need the shaft spacer to give room for the fitting and it seems to be this extension to which Princess refer. Oh and we arnt allowed divers in the marina now...new bearucratic rules etc