Prop Guards

Originally posted by G.R.F. Originally posted by Neptune Originally posted by G.R.F. We got a new rescue boat this year, they didn't fit a prop guard, noticed the three blade prop now has barely two and a half blades.. You all that tough in Kent that limbs can mash a prop up or is it from ramming it up the beach? a)We chew them off with our teeth b)We have muppets that leave the engine running as they charge the beach. One of the above is true. tbh The engine they matched to the boat isn't powerful enough, it's a 20hp four stroke which doesn't quite have the oomph a two stroke has and is heavier, with a prop guard it would be unlikely to get the boat on the plane.

At Lancing our boats have no prop guards as they reduce power and may get shingle caught in them. We use 30hp engines with electric tilt. So when coming into the beach they are driven with power while gradually lifting the engine. Once the bow hits the beach the kill cord is pulled. At the same time the beach crew (all the sailors) then get the boat out of the water and onto the trailer.

The prop guards I've seen don't look particularly good at keeping shingle out.

We got a new rescue boat this year, they didn't fit a prop guard, noticed the three blade prop now has barely two and a half blades..

We have prop guards on all centre tiller steer boats, doesnt make that much difference, but we are doing a lot more rescues getting people out the water ie raft building, capsized boats, windsurfers, kayakers, than the typical sailing club would do with sailors that are competent.

Not used one on a rib, but performance wise, you might not notice the difference. All depends why you are thinking of fitting one.