When a boat (a Merry Fisher 805) takes the ground

[chuzzlewit]

the rudder and prop can be damaged. I'm thinking about making an aluminium cage which could be positioned to protect them on the very rare occasions when needed. Any comments?

 

[lionelz]

Surely that would compromise the hull design! So would affect handling speed and much more

 

[petem]

the rudder and prop can be damaged. I'm thinking about making an aluminium cage which could be positioned to protect them on the very rare occasions when needed. Any comments?

Tell your insurer!

 

[southseaian]

I believe the MF805 has much the underwater profile as my MF695.
The prop and rudder are above the keel. On my boat there is fitted a steel u bar extending back from the keel below the prop/rudder. I guess the main purpose of this strong looking structure is to guard against ropes etc but when the boat is sitting on the ground the bar rests on the ground like an extension of the keel.
I guess if the boat was dried out on uneven ground so a lot of the boats weight was taken on the bar it might not be strong enough.
A lot of MF's had this factory (or maybe dealer fitted) fitted from new.
Photo of this on other MF695

This one was rusty. i did not buy boat as owner would not reduce price.

 

[Spi D]

Beaten to it..

Would have mentioned the traditional keel enforcement.

In reality a bolt-on steel bar.

 

[chuzzlewit]

Surely that would compromise the hull design! So would affect handling speed and much more

The cage was to be positioned over the prop only after the boat was anchored.

 

[Bandit]

Assuming your boat is the same as Spi D's photo you dont need a cage as the steel bar protects prop and rudder but you would require legs as otherwise she would lean to one side or the other .

She would probably by the look of her with legs lie nose down due to the skeg and the bar, which would not be a problem except for the self draining deck and sleeping.