Prop "shield"?

[hooks1]

Everyone I know with a boat has lost at least one prop to logs (me too) and the usual way to reduce the frequency (other than leaving the boat in the driveway) is to use a stainless steel prop. As I understand it, the skeg provides some protection so is there any add-on that provides more protection? I understand that any additional structures will add drag but perhaps one or two less mph and 10% poorer fuel economy versus a new prop every year or two might be an acceptable trade. One side benefit would be the reduction in stress from trying to spot "gators" on a pleasure ride. Opinions, suggestions, what-ifs???

 

[slag]

Re: Prop "shield"?

I have an old boating book where a guy took the fork end of a pitchfork and steel clamped it to his outboard motor. It made the perfect shield to keep grasses and logs away while also providing protection from rocks and the like. I'll try to get a picture of it because it looked like home engineering at its finest.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Prop "shield"?

There are prop shields that are a wide band of metal or plastic that encompass the prop. Usually bolt onto the cavitation plate.

Although they do protect the prop more than a skeg alone, I read where they cause much more damage to people. Problem being that if someone does get a hand or foot caught in the prop, instead of being pushed away out to the side, it tends to be pulled through like a meat grinder, with similar results.

 

[hooks1]

Re: Prop "shield"?

whoa - that gives me the "willies" but I see where it could be a problem -especially with small hands and feet.

 

[hooks1]

Re: Prop "shield"?

I was wondering if something could be mounted to the hull that would work like the guards on a weedless hook and deflect the obstruction or maybe even bump the hull up to ride over the obstruction. I would like to see that fork picture - I love unique solutions.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prop "shield"?

Ayuh,.... Just know where yer goin',+ stay outa the rocks is the prop guard I use....

It's been quite a few years since I wacked a prop...

 

[hooks1]

Re: Prop "shield"?

I think I can avoid the rocks - they stay put. It's the logs that cause me grief. My son-in-law is on his third prop this summer but I think his pontoon motor reaches a little deeper to "find" stuff that most of us pass over on plane.

 

[Thad]

Re: Prop "shield"?

If it's out there, floating, someones gonna hit it. That's just the way it is. The only solution, short of "leaving it in the driveway" is have a lookout, slow down, and be at the ready to manuever quickly. I was out this past weekend and before I left I put on one of my older spare props. Just in case. I hit two floaters that were just under the surface, with only minimal damage to the blade edges. Anything that floats and is visible, I missed completely.

As for something on the hull, I see a serious cavitaion problem there. I don't know about you, but my prop pushes a lot faster when it has an ample supply of water plus my RPM's stay a bit lower. Besides, I would much rather replace a prop than have it in the body shop to repair that 4 sq ft hole in the bottom of the hull where the "prop guard" used to be.

 

[hooks1]

Re: Prop "shield"?

I wonder if anyone has published any research on hull structure effects on flow to the prop? Mercruiser has talked a little about adding a new I/O to a hull and directs the installer to remove any keel within four feet of the back of the boat and to square up the edge between the hull bottom and transom. Perhaps there is more out there - I'll look some more. By the way, Thad - does Dixon still have the "Petunia Capital of the World" sign over the street downtown? That was one of the more memorable signs I've seen unexpectedly.

 

[Thad]

Re: Prop "shield"?

I wonder if anyone has published any research on hull structure effects on flow to the prop? Mercruiser has talked a little about adding a new I/O to a hull and directs the installer to remove any keel within four feet of the back of the boat and to square up the edge between the hull bottom and transom. Perhaps there is more out there - I'll look some more. By the way, Thad - does Dixon still have the "Petunia Capital of the World" sign over the street downtown? That was one of the more memorable signs I've seen unexpectedly.

It's not over the street any longer, but there are road side signs at every main highway coming into town. During the Petunia Fest they hang banners over the road. We DO have one of the last remaining Victory Arches in the country. Sits atop the hill on US 52/IL 26 by the old court house down town. Just this past Sunday there was a big todo at the river front for VJDay. Even had a Stealth bomber do a fly over the river. I almost missed it, he was 8 minutes early.
Not to mention we are the home town (sorry, "boyhood town") of Ronald Reagan. There is a little history here in Dixon.