Prop Guard ?

[nomi840]

This past weekend I took my boat out into the Delaware River and when either launching or retrieving the boat onto the trailer I must have hit some rocks while the prop was turning...I never even realized that this happened. The fins of the prop have small chunks of metal missing, as though someone took a small bite from the fin. So I will be replacing my prop before I go out next time.

In order to prevent this from hapening in the future I will try to be more careful and try to keep the outdrive up a bit so as not to hit the rocks on loading/unlaoding.

However, even with the above precaution I was wondering if a prop guard is right for me. Has anyone used a prop guard on an Inboard/Outboard (stern drive) ?

I was considering the following prop guard : http://www.propguardmarine.com/index.html

What do you think...pros and cons?

Cost is about 215 dollars...so its a worthwhile investment since my prop will cost about 115 to replace.

P.s. I have a 1989 19' Citation 190XL with an I/O OMC 4.3L V6 (175 HP I think) engine.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prop Guard ?

Ayuh,.... This conversation is already going on,...here...

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Prop Guard ?

Just out of curiousity, where on the Delaware were you? Trenton or so? Gets a bit sketchy up that way.

Those guards were mentioned in my boating safety course, but that's the only time I've ever heard of them.

 

[nomi840]

Re: Prop Guard ?

Just out of curiousity, where on the Delaware were you? Trenton or so? Gets a bit sketchy up that way.

Those guards were mentioned in my boating safety course, but that's the only time I've ever heard of them.

You are 100% right...I launched from Lamberton Rd in Trenton NJ but only went South on the Delaware. I know going North from this launch point is not a good idea because the depth quickly becomes shallow and there are a lot of rocks/boulders going further North.