Saftey Boat's & prop Guards

Like all "safety devices" many people feel that they are then safe and do not need to exercise proper care and due dilligence. 

The devices where originally designed to save the Manatia (?sp) of the American everglades. These gentle creatures were getting chopped up at an alarming rate by props so something had to be done. As with most things, the manufacturers wanted to sell more ....... guess what? Yep, you guessed they now market them as essentialy safety devices. Utter codswallop!!

Having seen our entire safety boat fleet fitted with these things on the pretence of safety whereas in reality they where fitted to cut the cost of the props failing to work on concrete. One of the downsides was that because of the heavy loads induced on the prop bushes because of the lack of speed, we suffered many failed bushes. In one year the cost of failed bushes far exceeded the previous cost of damaged props without the guards fitted. The extra cost of fuel was not even taken into account, though for that year it was up on the previous year by some 25%. Now all guards are removed.

There is no substitute for the proper and correct techniques for PB handling. Just pray that you get a good instructor and you will not know that until you get more experience.

Oh by the way, if you fit a guard and your foot or whatever gets between the prop and the guard then you have ZERO chance of keeping anything ............ without a guard you have a slim chance that you might be knocked away from the prop.

On tickover, about 1000 rpm the gearbox reduces the revs to about 500, there are usually 3 blades on a prop, that means 500 x 3 hits per minute. The moral of the story - keep away from the prop and keep the prop away from people.

There is nothing wrong with the RYA courses - it is down to the quality of the instructor. There is nothing wrong with any sailor helming a safety boat - it is down to the individual and how they were trained.

And finally ........... we have a windsurfing instructor at our club.......knows it all, can do it all, has done it all, will do it all, blah de blah de blah ALL........ bores all

What is it with these bloody whinge surfers??

Edited by Phat Bouy

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Phat Bouy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 15 Jun 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 168	Post Options Post Reply Quote Phat Bouy Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Saftey Boat's & prop Guards Posted: 02 Oct 09 at 11:47pm
	Like all "safety devices" many people feel that they are then safe and do not need to exercise proper care and due dilligence. The devices where originally designed to save the Manatia (?sp) of the American everglades. These gentle creatures were getting chopped up at an alarming rate by props so something had to be done. As with most things, the manufacturers wanted to sell more ....... guess what? Yep, you guessed they now market them as essentialy safety devices. Utter codswallop!! Having seen our entire safety boat fleet fitted with these things on the pretence of safety whereas in reality they where fitted to cut the cost of the props failing to work on concrete. One of the downsides was that because of the heavy loads induced on the prop bushes because of the lack of speed, we suffered many failed bushes. In one year the cost of failed bushes far exceeded the previous cost of damaged props without the guards fitted. The extra cost of fuel was not even taken into account, though for that year it was up on the previous year by some 25%. Now all guards are removed. There is no substitute for the proper and correct techniques for PB handling. Just pray that you get a good instructor and you will not know that until you get more experience. Oh by the way, if you fit a guard and your foot or whatever gets between the prop and the guard then you have ZERO chance of keeping anything ............ without a guard you have a slim chance that you might be knocked away from the prop. On tickover, about 1000 rpm the gearbox reduces the revs to about 500, there are usually 3 blades on a prop, that means 500 x 3 hits per minute. The moral of the story - keep away from the prop and keep the prop away from people. There is nothing wrong with the RYA courses - it is down to the quality of the instructor. There is nothing wrong with any sailor helming a safety boat - it is down to the individual and how they were trained. And finally ........... we have a windsurfing instructor at our club.......knows it all, can do it all, has done it all, will do it all, blah de blah de blah ALL........ bores all What is it with these bloody whinge surfers?? Edited by Phat Bouy
	Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

G.R.F. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028	Post Options Post Reply Quote G.R.F. Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 09 at 10:04pm
	Since when has performance been a criterior of safety boats. Fundamental rule of all time. Dinghy sailors and power craft don't mix. All and every safety mechanism is strongly advised. Even so it will not prevent flipped craft, seized engines through lack of oil, craft spinning out of control with ex helm swimming about helplessly trying to avoid said craft and countless other acts of gros stupidity too legion to tabulate accurately. So yes fit a prop guard if you're going to let anyone from a sailing club near a powered craft. Even the RYA's own powerboat course and safety boat exam is fatally flawed - children with loaded guns. Edited by G.R.F.
	https://www.ease-distribution.com/

zailor Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 10 May 09 Location: Penparc Online Status: Offline Posts: 249	Post Options Post Reply Quote zailor Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 09 at 9:07pm
	Yes its very easy to become paranoid about a 3/4 bladed bit of metal spinning very quickly thanks.

Andymac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 04 Apr 07 Location: Derbyshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 852	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andymac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 09 at 8:45pm
	Case 8 is interesting reading... http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Leisure%20Cra ft%20Safety%20Digest.pdf The conclusions drawn, do not state any lawful obligation to fit prop guards. It does highlight the danger of unguarded props AND acknowledges that prop guards do adversly affect the performance of the craft. 'It is suggested that the requirement for a propeller guard will depend on the exact role and particular operating conditions that a safety boat is likely to encounter' It is good to see that you have attended a safety boat course, and that at some stage 'prop awareness' was discussed. Edited by Andymac

zailor Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 10 May 09 Location: Penparc Online Status: Offline Posts: 249	Post Options Post Reply Quote zailor Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 09 at 8:29pm
	I have just done a Saftey boat course and the coach/assessor does not beleve in them and thinks they cause more hasstle than they are worth and create a 20% Loss in power. However, the prob guard website contradicts this claim compleatly. Also someone tol me there is a law that prob guards must be fitted. Is it a law or an insurance thing or neither? Any views welcome?