Propeller guards

[David F]

In the current "in the water" thread, the subject of propeller guards came up to protect rudders. All that I have seen are pretty expensive for a piece of rolled sheet metal even if it is stainless. Would like to have suggestions on purchase and this even looks easy to have fabricated by my local sheet metal guy. Any pitfalls?

Thanks guys.

 

[oreana1234]

I had a piece of 8 inch wide metal rolled by my bro who works in the sheet metal business. I had to drill holes in my anticavitation plate (4) and fabricate some spacers to bring the band of metal closer to the center of the prop shaft.

I think that the mod is great. Seat of pants tells me that the ring equipt lower end pushes much more. In a non-planing application, a prop guard will contain tip losses from the prop and turn them into thrust. Lower fuel consumption. See any underwater propulsion system including deep sea diving robots, submarines etc

Another benefit is to not allow the prop to strike the rudder blade. Another benefit it to not allow the prop to hit the bottom. Another benefit is to protect swimmers, just in case by some weird turn of events there is a swimmer in the water near your turning prop. And finally, the band is nicer on your foot when one stupidly kicks the outdrive when the engine is not running, when swimming by....

Go for it and publish pics

 

[Bob 04 H260]

easy to make prop/rudder guard

I have a 9.9 Honda and a Ida rudder on my 26S, the two can not touch as long as the rudder is fully down.
I used to have a Mercury 9.9 and it could touch the rudder so I cut a small piece of flat aluminum, 1/8" thick, into a sort of half tear drop shape, I bolted it to the underside of the cavitation plate on the rudder side, it was just big enough so it would touch the rudder first before the tip of the prop could. I spray painted it black to match the motor. It looked like it was always part of the motor. It was easy to make at home from a piece of scrap and did not seem to effect anything. I never did take a picture of it and the motor is now sold, I hope this explanation makes sense.

Bob

 

[Robspan]

I have the Power Thruster sold on this website.

http://shop.macgregorowners.com/detail.htm?fno=80&group=294&cat=2601

My motor is on a fixed mount about 9" out from the transom. The PT does protect the rudder when the rudder is fully down but not if it's part way up. If you're aware of this and act quickly when you hit shallow water, no problem.
I find that the PT really does add to the motor's efficiency - more top end speed and less fuel consumption at cruising speed.
One other benefit is that the PT helps steer the boat with the motor in neutral and the rudder up. That's a big help when you're trying to glide into the dock.
I recommend the PT but if you can find or make something that goes completely around the propeller, that would probably be better.

 

[Dan D]

Does anyone know if the guard (or some variation) will do anything to keep weeds from twisting up in the prop?

 

[Doug J]

One of the first things I did to my boat was put a prob guard on the motor. The original rudder has some huge gouges in it from hitting the spinning prop. I replaced the rudder with an new Idasailor rudder and wasn't about to let it have the same fate.

I think I lucked out, the guy at this small shop said it was sitting on a shelf collecting dust for a very long time. He didn't have a price on it and wasn't sure what it was worth and neither was I for that matter. I offer $50 and he took it. It's made by a company called PropGuard, and is made of very hard plastic.

Here's a website showing a homemade guard made from aluminum, looks like it would work just as well!

http://www.dwfonline.com/Articles/propellor_guard_-_$75_or_$5.htm

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

Cabelas supply sells a propguard of metal but it's about $100. I plan on using this one instead of the power thruster since the uphaul line for my rudder hung up momentarily a couple of times on the prop while under sail (I still sail a bit lazy at times and dont always haul the kicker out and tip it up under sail). It looks like the line could still possible hang up on the power thruster in quick tacks for my rig.

 

[David F]

Thanks a lot guys. You all have given me and others the options that ought to work well for any pocketbook.

 

[Blake]

I made this one out of a scrap piece of pvc pipe and a heat gun to shape it. I haven't noticed any difference in performance, but it keeps the prop off my new Idasailer rudder. Sorry, this photo does't show it real well.

 

[v3n0m]

This is so cool. Thanks for the info. I will try to make one too.