Prop guard HP loss....

[Roly]

What loss can you expect from a prop guard?
Is it proportionally higher for a 70hp, say as opposed a 15Hp?
We launch on a surf beach and often have to do donuts waiting for the opportune moment. Also, coming in, have to dodge the human flotsam.
Bit of a freakout really. It is an accident waiting to happen.
The rescue boats weave thru the crowd with prop guards like the people
ain't there.

[gonzo]

A jetdrive is the ideal setup

[Guest625101138]

There is some discussion and detail on this thread you might find interesting:
shrouded propeller v.s nonshrouded opeller

Rick W

[Roly]

Originally Posted by gonzo

A jetdrive isthe ideal setup

Agreed,but an inboard is heavier & I don't fancy fishing off a jetski or shelling out 30k for a skidoo. My old 70's fleetline/70hp OMC, is a heavy old girl but for 3.5k gets me fishing when I'm not working on my sailboat.
Light = easier to launch,especially on a surf beach in soft sand.
Hence my quest to make existing safer.

[gonzo]

I was talking about jet outboards.

[Frosty]

Find another beach.

[powerabout]

The engine manufactures dont make them..there's a good reason not to use one.

On your 70, take one spark plug lead off and then use it...its about the same.
Saying that all guards are different so there are many different results.

[Roly]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Find another beach.

A bit like finding a new wife. I'm kinda married to this beach...Its just easier & cheaper to launch here.

[powerabout]

If you think the skeg is harmless versus the prop which comes next..one might guess youv'e never run over anything
Hence the comment in the other thread where the USCG says they dont see data where a guard saved anyone.

A bit like double hulled tankers....the greenies decided they were good so we all get a warm feeling about them.

[Frosty]

Ok,-- then get good insurance. Its a bit more expensive than a guard but is more protection.

[gonzo]

A guard is different from a skeg. It is a shroud similar to a kurt nozzle with grates on both ends. The performance suffers, but it is worth it for rescue operations.

[powerabout]

Gonzo
Yes but what I meant was if you run over something going forwards the gearbox gets you first.

I bet more people have had horrific injurys at surf beaches from being hit by a surfboard skeg than an outboard?
Being hit by a shark at speed is still going to hurt regardless of whether its mouth is open.

[gonzo]

The edge of the surfboard is what usually hurts you.

[Frosty]

Swimmers -outboards is like errrm meat grinders.

[Submarine Tom]

I feel the main point may have been missed here.

I will present it as a possibility.

Yes, scoop gouges out of human flesh from a spinning propeller are ugly,

painfull and even life threatening, being hit in the head first by a very

heavy, moving hull is potentially even worse. Consiousness is likely lost

followed very quickly by drowning. IMHO, it is better to take all measures

to avoid contact in the first place. I think the spinning, ungaurded prop is

not the major concern here. The bottom line is SLOW DOWN and use all the

sets of eyes you have available to you on board to make absolutely sure

you don't hit anyone, it's your resposibility.

-Tom