Shaftlok anybody have one

[Pagetslady]

Hi I am considering purchasing an American made Prop shaft Lock, called Shaftlok it is a very simple device and would solve the problem I have with my Beta engine and gearbox which does lock the prop for a while but because the gear selector is hydraulic it frequently drops out the prop a Bruntons Autoprop rotates and causes huge drag and makes it almost impossible to steer.
I was wondering if anybody has had experience of one on their boat. The main problem is the price, very reasonable in the USA but by the time it gets here with duty delivery and VAT it is very expensive. any information would be gratefully received.
Mike

 

[actionoptics]

Hi I am considering purchasing an American made Prop shaft Lock, called Shaftlok it is a very simple device and would solve the problem I have with my Beta engine and gearbox which does lock the prop for a while but because the gear selector is hydraulic it frequently drops out the prop a Bruntons Autoprop rotates and causes huge drag and makes it almost impossible to steer.
I was wondering if anybody has had experience of one on their boat. The main problem is the price, very reasonable in the USA but by the time it gets here with duty delivery and VAT it is very expensive. any information would be gratefully received.
Mike

I helped fit one to my boss's boat a few years. His boat was in the water so I had to dive under and put the prop in the correct position. He then marked the shaft and fitted the lock. It worked well.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

I've fitted a lot of then to new boats in the USA.
Great bit of kit, but as you say, really expensive in the UK.

 

[pvb]

Hi I am considering purchasing an American made Prop shaft Lock, called Shaftlok it is a very simple device and would solve the problem I have with my Beta engine and gearbox which does lock the prop for a while but because the gear selector is hydraulic it frequently drops out the prop a Bruntons Autoprop rotates and causes huge drag and makes it almost impossible to steer.
I was wondering if anybody has had experience of one on their boat. The main problem is the price, very reasonable in the USA but by the time it gets here with duty delivery and VAT it is very expensive. any information would be gratefully received.

Lancing Marine sell the Shaft-lok in the UK, about £900 for your size. It seems that it's necessary to slow right down before the device can be engaged. Brunton Propellors have their own disc brake system called Autolock, but I imagine that's equally expensive.

https://www.lancingmarine.com/pricebook/pricebook.html?page=38
https://www.bruntonspropellers.com/autolock

Edit: And here's a DIY solution lifted from Cruisers Forum...

"One of the simplest I have ever seen consisted of a 2" diameter teak cylinder, bored for the shaft size, split and clamped around the shaft. A GM diesel fuel shut-off solenoid was attached at 90* to the shaft, to a flat stainless steel strap which looped around the shaft and was anchored back at the solenoid base. The solenoid released the tension on the teak when powered by the ignition on circuit (actually thru a relay). No ignition, no power, solenoid clamps tight on teak. Had been on the boat for 20 years."

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f47/how-to-create-a-shaft-brake-40250.html

 

[npf1]

Hi I am considering purchasing an American made Prop shaft Lock, called Shaftlok it is a very simple device and would solve the problem I have with my Beta engine and gearbox which does lock the prop for a while but because the gear selector is hydraulic it frequently drops out the prop a Bruntons Autoprop rotates and causes huge drag and makes it almost impossible to steer.
I was wondering if anybody has had experience of one on their boat. The main problem is the price, very reasonable in the USA but by the time it gets here with duty delivery and VAT it is very expensive. any information would be gratefully received.
Mike

I fitted one to my last boat, removed it a couple of years later and sold it to someone on here. It could not hold the force of the Autoprop's desires to spin. Prop was perfectly serviced and Shatlok fitted correctly - best theory was the water flow from the deadwood was the cause, so pretty unique to the situation. Even tried a stronger spring, provided by Shaftlok. Well designed device though, but needed quite a lot of space and a hefty arm to hold it.

I planned to make my own using a stainless disc and brake caliper with electrical failsafe, but never got around to completing it before I sold the boat.

 

[ithet]

Would it not be better to tackle this problem at source, i.e it might be more cost effective to sell the Autoprop and replace with a folding or feathering (Darglow/Maxprop) propeller?

 

[Pagetslady]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions, I have been considering buying one for several years but simply could not justify the cost, I have also designed a couple of ideas of my own, one was a bike disk brake assembly with the caliper applied with a cable to the steering pedestal, with a micro switch to interrupt the power to the start relay so when the the brake is applied the engine cannot be started.
Mike