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Shaft shark

jimcleary

James M. Cleary
Hello All

After my somewhat harrowing experience hitting and tangling a lobster pot on my prop last summer, I decided to install a cutter on the prop shaft. Doing my research, I found that the Shaft Shark looks like the best choice for me. I say that for three reasons. One, it is a split unit, the prop doesn't have to be removed to install. Two, there are no additional parts that need to be attached to the boat, Its a simple dual blade (very sharp) that rotates with the shaft and prop. Third, it is sold by Defender Industries in CT. Just before the boat goes in the water next month I'll install it and take some photos. If anyone has any experience with the Shaft Shark, I'd love to hear your opinion.

Jim
 
I put one on my Sabre after a crab pot tangled around the prop and the Chain weight wrapped and destroyed the bronze strut ! And no one had made that strut for 20 some years and the company was long out of business. !
I had to have a custom SS strut made and than i put a cutter on it ! If florida in crab season there are pots every where even in the channel . There is little or no enforcement .
Florida is more a group of laws with no enforcement ! But the weather is nice and Sailing all year round !
 
oh yes ! I take a bad view of crab trappers putting the traps in the channel. If i get a float line to a trap like the Cutter cuts it leaving the trap at the bottom and the float marker free. I go and scoop up the float. I keep them in my garage ! I have words with others at my dock all the time " thats some ones lively hood" ! I say they must not care because crabs favor more shallow water and they choose the main channel . If they cant think straight its just not my problem. Besides long ago they cost me a strut and haul out ! Its just my turn to teach them !
 
Lee
If the crab pots of Florida cause you aggravation, then don't ever plan on sailing to Maine. but I'm glad to hear that the cutter works.

Jim
 
Lee, up at Homosassa, I was launching my 26' Shamrock Cuddy several years ago and the whole waterway was full of crab traps. I caught a line and trap in my prop... it was so bad that I had to be towed to a marina that had a forklift, get it out of the water and then take a knife to the rope and bolt cutters to the small gauge rebar frame of the trap off of my prop and strut. I was ticked... there was literally no place there to operate without running the risk of hitting the traps... thankfully it did not damage to prop or strut. You are right, those guys don't appear to think about where they put their traps or they don't mind losing a few.
 
Dana went back into the water yesterday. I waited till the last minute to install the Shaft Shark line cutter on the shaft because I didn't want unwanted hands near this thing. It went on extremely easy and has wicked sharpe edges. I'm posting a few photos for those who may be interested.

Jim
 

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Dana went back into the water yesterday. I waited till the last minute to install the Shaft Shark line cutter on the shaft because I didn't want unwanted hands near this thing. It went on extremely easy and has wicked sharpe edges. I'm posting a few photos for those who may be interested.

Jim
Beautiful job Jim! Nice paint job too.
 
John

Thanks! I'm trying a new paint plan for the prop. Recently we brought a friends new Catalina 42 down from Boston. Everyone in the Yacht Club where he picked up the boat were raving about spraying their props with cold galvanizing spray. It's 93% zinc. Thought I'd give it a try for this season. That's the grey on the prop. Great talking to you on the phone. Bonnie and I will try to get up to see you on the lake this summer. (by car)

Jim
 
John

Thanks! I'm trying a new paint plan for the prop. Recently we brought a friends new Catalina 42 down from Boston. Everyone in the Yacht Club where he picked up the boat were raving about spraying their props with cold galvanizing spray. It's 93% zinc. Thought I'd give it a try for this season. That's the grey on the prop. Great talking to you on the phone. Bonnie and I will try to get up to see you on the lake this summer. (by car)

Jim
Sounds good...sometime in July...when it’s warm! We just go up for the day usually. It would be a fun day to spend. With or without wind. :)
 
Jim, When I had my boat I used to use Petit Zinc coat Barnacle barrier. I think you will be pleased with the results. I think that is what you probally used.
 
Bert
I'm going to give this a try this season, only because the guys in Boston so raved about it. The real beauty of the Cold Galvanizing spray is that it's only $8 at the local hardware store. My friend wants to buy up all we can find and relabel it at $30 a can.

Jim
 
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