Lobster pots by the zillions are a definite hazard to navigation in Maine that you folks in the south can never experience. I'm considering a propeller spur. Has anyone had experience with them? Has anyone used the serated razor type as compared to the opposing cutters type. Do they stay sharp? Any problems? What about drag or disturbance in the prop stream? Thanks for the info.
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S. Sauer
Propeller Spurs?
Last weekend we had the privaledge of sharing a beautiful day on Chesapeake Bay with our new to sailing niece and her husband. During our sail we answered their questions about sailing, sail trim and on occasion explained 'right of way' rules between sail boats as well as power boats on different crossing situations. However, when encountering a work boat picking up crab pots, I remarked that we prefer to give work boats right of way in all circumstances, after all, we're out here playing while they're making a living. Think you really need those 'spurs'?
Last weekend we had the privaledge of sharing a beautiful day on Chesapeake Bay with our new to sailing niece and her husband. During our sail we answered their questions about sailing, sail trim and on occasion explained 'right of way' rules between sail boats as well as power boats on different crossing situations. However, when encountering a work boat picking up crab pots, I remarked that we prefer to give work boats right of way in all circumstances, after all, we're out here playing while they're making a living. Think you really need those 'spurs'?
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Don Berger
Yes
Regarding the previous reply, ever been sailing at night? Our previous boat had the traditional opposing blade spurs which got a good workout on a couple of overnight trips back from Nantucket and worked well. Our present boat had the circular blade type and our experience to date fortunately has been limited to extricating us from an errant trip line much too long for its intended purpose from an adjacent power-boater mooring neighbor so it's hard to compare other than the most important observation - they both work. As far as drag is concerned, I'd say somewhere between negligible and insignificant. Don Illusion
Regarding the previous reply, ever been sailing at night? Our previous boat had the traditional opposing blade spurs which got a good workout on a couple of overnight trips back from Nantucket and worked well. Our present boat had the circular blade type and our experience to date fortunately has been limited to extricating us from an errant trip line much too long for its intended purpose from an adjacent power-boater mooring neighbor so it's hard to compare other than the most important observation - they both work. As far as drag is concerned, I'd say somewhere between negligible and insignificant. Don Illusion
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Rich Stidger
This is why I have a cutter....
I never had a cutter on my previous boat, although one time I pickup up a lobster pot that was submerged and it hung us up for several hours and cost $300 for a towing service to extradicate us. On my present Hunter, I didn't consider a cutter necessary until I installed a 3-blade feathering prop. At that time I considered a cutter and actually installed one of the serrated circular cutters a year after the prop installation. My fear was that a tangled line could possibly damage my feathering prop. If a pot is seen, it is usually easy to avoid it. The exception is in Maine where they like to tie lines between pots and these lines are just below the water's surface! Since the cutter installation, I have never tangled or cut a line to the best of my knowledge. I presume that it will work satisfactory, but...? And yes, it does stay sharp after 3 years now. Rich
I never had a cutter on my previous boat, although one time I pickup up a lobster pot that was submerged and it hung us up for several hours and cost $300 for a towing service to extradicate us. On my present Hunter, I didn't consider a cutter necessary until I installed a 3-blade feathering prop. At that time I considered a cutter and actually installed one of the serrated circular cutters a year after the prop installation. My fear was that a tangled line could possibly damage my feathering prop. If a pot is seen, it is usually easy to avoid it. The exception is in Maine where they like to tie lines between pots and these lines are just below the water's surface! Since the cutter installation, I have never tangled or cut a line to the best of my knowledge. I presume that it will work satisfactory, but...? And yes, it does stay sharp after 3 years now. Rich
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J.Hrab
Cheasapeake Crab Pots
Last November I was sailing own the Cheasapeake and not knowing local customs I followed religiously all the marked channels: I leaned towards the opinion of S. Sauer that I was playing while crab fishermen worked. After dodging my 1,000 crab pot, my feeling started to change and these pots were everywhere there was 20 feet or less. I caught caught in a 40 kn storm with 7 to 9 feet waves from my stern and holding on for dear life, surfing all bent to hell and I rose over a tightly packed crab field; I managed to make a violent tack on top of the waves and avoided it all. I wished very hard that I had room to put a cutter but I did not have enough clearance. In Annapolis I was told politely that it was up to pleasure sailors to stay away from one's living. I agree, but I will admit that if I had been caught in a storm with crab lines, my sense of humour would be hard to find. I am not from these waters, therefore I will not pass any kind of judgement: however if I could find room to put a cutter I will. Navigating the Cheasapeake is one of my best experience, including being told to take another course due to target practice off Newport News. I respect fishermen; but I will definitely put a cutter if I can:the number of crab pots are just overwhelming Sincerely, Jean
Last November I was sailing own the Cheasapeake and not knowing local customs I followed religiously all the marked channels: I leaned towards the opinion of S. Sauer that I was playing while crab fishermen worked. After dodging my 1,000 crab pot, my feeling started to change and these pots were everywhere there was 20 feet or less. I caught caught in a 40 kn storm with 7 to 9 feet waves from my stern and holding on for dear life, surfing all bent to hell and I rose over a tightly packed crab field; I managed to make a violent tack on top of the waves and avoided it all. I wished very hard that I had room to put a cutter but I did not have enough clearance. In Annapolis I was told politely that it was up to pleasure sailors to stay away from one's living. I agree, but I will admit that if I had been caught in a storm with crab lines, my sense of humour would be hard to find. I am not from these waters, therefore I will not pass any kind of judgement: however if I could find room to put a cutter I will. Navigating the Cheasapeake is one of my best experience, including being told to take another course due to target practice off Newport News. I respect fishermen; but I will definitely put a cutter if I can:the number of crab pots are just overwhelming Sincerely, Jean
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Richard Marble
Think about this
1. Being caught in trap lines can be very dangerous in certain situations 2. The ocean does not belong to anyone and sail boats have as much right to be there as do anyone else. 3. If lobstermen use cutters (and they do) on their boats to protect them from tangling in lines its foolish to think sailboats, we who didn’t create the mess, should not use cutters also. 4. Years ago an average lobsterman might run 100 traps. Now its nothing for a lobsterman to run 5 or even 10 times that and there are more lobstermen out there to boot. This is creating quite a mess in many locations. If it continues to get worse everyone will be using cutters if they want to go boating.
1. Being caught in trap lines can be very dangerous in certain situations 2. The ocean does not belong to anyone and sail boats have as much right to be there as do anyone else. 3. If lobstermen use cutters (and they do) on their boats to protect them from tangling in lines its foolish to think sailboats, we who didn’t create the mess, should not use cutters also. 4. Years ago an average lobsterman might run 100 traps. Now its nothing for a lobsterman to run 5 or even 10 times that and there are more lobstermen out there to boot. This is creating quite a mess in many locations. If it continues to get worse everyone will be using cutters if they want to go boating.
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PD
below surface lobster pot lines
I recently got hung up on a line that was a few feet under the water at high tide. I had to jump in and cut the rope as it was wrapped around the shaft in choppy seas and very cold water... This caused a small leak and $ at the boat yard. I plan on adding something to cut the lines when I haul out this winter....
I recently got hung up on a line that was a few feet under the water at high tide. I had to jump in and cut the rope as it was wrapped around the shaft in choppy seas and very cold water... This caused a small leak and $ at the boat yard. I plan on adding something to cut the lines when I haul out this winter....
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Ken Osborne
Another Thought
I do not have propeller spurs on my boat and don't claim to be an expert on the subject, however, I did read an article on them some time ago and the point of the report was that the spurs will cause the prop to be less efficient because they disturb the water flow as it enters the prop blades causing a reduction in thrust, not to mention added drag when sailing. Would be interested in hearing from anyone who may have heard of this or can shoot holes thru this theory. Ken
I do not have propeller spurs on my boat and don't claim to be an expert on the subject, however, I did read an article on them some time ago and the point of the report was that the spurs will cause the prop to be less efficient because they disturb the water flow as it enters the prop blades causing a reduction in thrust, not to mention added drag when sailing. Would be interested in hearing from anyone who may have heard of this or can shoot holes thru this theory. Ken
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Gordon Myers
No loss of speed
We added Spurs after two years with our 2000 h450. We also have a 3 blade Max-Prop. We had created a RPM / Speed Chart prior to adding Spurs. There is no difference in speed vs. rpm after adding Spurs.
We added Spurs after two years with our 2000 h450. We also have a 3 blade Max-Prop. We had created a RPM / Speed Chart prior to adding Spurs. There is no difference in speed vs. rpm after adding Spurs.
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Mike Andersen
Not Cheap!
While there's little question that saving a bent shaft or saving loss of control in a storm is a good thing. The price of propeller spurs (at least at west marine ~$300) isn't cheap, especially considering it's a pretty simple device.
While there's little question that saving a bent shaft or saving loss of control in a storm is a good thing. The price of propeller spurs (at least at west marine ~$300) isn't cheap, especially considering it's a pretty simple device.
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