Rope cutters

[Yinka]

Hi.. Have any of you cat people installed rope cutters on your props... If not why not and also (if not)...are you ever concerned that your props may be fouled in a situation where you may be in immediate need of engine power?
If you do have something installed... what do you use/prefer and why ?
Also (if yes) does it cause any significant amount of drag ?

Happi days

Yinka

[sandy daugherty]

Cats have two engines, and sails. Two fouled props are highly unlikely, and while fouling one isn't a great loss, it is inconvenient. Folding props are common, and are less likely to foul when folded, and are slightly easier to clear when fouled. Cats tend to have longer shafts exposed but few have struts appropriate for cutters.

Beyond these considerations, some cats do have cutters. And some have outboards or drive legs. Some of THESE can be cleared without getting wet!

[multihullsailor6]

I have rope cutters installed on the shafts on my cat.
Came in handy once when, single-handing, I left a nice coiled mooring line on the starboard net which, unseen by me, slipped overboard and was pulled right into the starboard prop. Well, I now have a much shortened mooring line!
And I don't let lines lie on the net any more!

Roger

[Yinka]

Thanks for the comments guys. I was starting to wonder why no one had replied. I couldn't decide whether my original question was ..not interesting.. dumb ..not relevant ..'tricky' ..or whatever ..

Roger.. what type of rope cutters do you have ? Were they easy to install ?

Happi days
Yinka

[multihullsailor6]

Yinka,

they were on the boat when I bought her, sorry don't know the answers. But they work!!!

Roger

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by Yinka

Thanks for the comments guys. I was starting to wonder why no one had replied. I couldn't decide whether my original question was ..not interesting.. dumb ..not relevant ..'tricky' ..or whatever ..

Roger.. what type of rope cutters do you have ? Were they easy to install ?

Happi days
Yinka

We're using a "Shaft Shark" line cutter. It's just a sharp serrated split disk. Very easy to install, with two set screws -- the two halves clamp onto the shaft with no need to remove the prop. Does it work? Yes we have tested it (by accident). I hate the thought of leaving a lobster trap on the bottom (wasteful) but we try to avoid them, and sometimes the markers are just under the surface or hidden by sun reflections: The alternative to using a line cutter might be a bent shaft, ruined cutlass bearing, or engine/transmission damage, and a cold swim.

Only one issue is that it must be kept clean by diving on it at least once a month, otherwise hard growth might prevent it from working as it should.

[hanschristian38]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

I hate the thought of leaving a lobster trap on the bottom (wasteful) but we try to avoid them, and sometimes the markers are just under the surface or hidden by sun reflections: The alternative to using a line cutter might be a bent shaft, ruined cutlass bearing, or engine/transmission damage, and a cold swim.

Many of the lobstermen use them on their own boats...

[Yinka]

Originally Posted by hanschristian38

Many of the lobstermen use them on their own boats...

Hmmm.. thats an interesting point.. although, as they 'live' in amongst that maze of hazards I suppose it makes sense.


Hey SailFastTri... do you have any contact info for Shaft Shark ?

Happi days
Yinka

[SailFastTri]

I don't doubt some loberstermen use them, but probably most use a cage that sacrifices performance but keeps the lines from snagging the prop. Here's an example for an outboard, and I've also seen them fabricated for inboards. http://www.oceansafety.com/images/Co...ropellorGu.jpg

The Shaft Shark is available from http://www.defender.com/ (do a search on that site).

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

The Shaft Shark is available from Discount Marine and Boat Supplies - Inflatable Sales - Defender (do a search on that site).

If you can take off the prop, the Shaft Razor (The Evolution Company Inc. - Product Specification) is very similar to the Shaft Shark at less than half the cost.