prop cage

Just want to bring this back to the top for discussion. After discussing with a brother in law about the freak accident at the Molokai Hoe this past year for Luke, he had mentioned about a " cage " that go around the engine prop of motor boats. It is used in some part of the mainland to protect some type of sea life there that are getting killed by motor props.

Do you think this type of " cage " could or should be mandated for boat captains to be put around engine props that are involved in change out races?

Don?t know the price for one of these.

Submitted by edhay on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 1:07pm



Some info here ... http://www.propguard.net/

Still don't think its gonna make up for common sense.

One vote "NO"

aloha,
pog


#1 Mon, 11/22/2010 - 1:34pm


Thanks for sharing that site with propguard. Sure would be great if all the captains would install these safety cages for peace of mind for themselves and for the paddlers. Seems that it would keep lines, etc. from getting tangled in the props and it also creates more propulsion, saving on gas. I for one, had a prop injury outside of Diamond Hd. during the Dukes race years ago. I received a gash on my right shin that needed 20 stitches to close. If that boat had one of these devices, it would have saved me a visit to the emergency room. Sometimes common sense is not all that is needed. Accidents do happen, all it takes is one person to be distracted and when you have 5 to 8 people in a boat, chances for accidents are increased. Whenever it comes down to life safety, any proceedure that decreases injury or loss of life is a very positive step. We shall see if anything will happen in the future that will bring about positive changes to make these races safer for all. I know the ohcra officials are in their think tank trying to make things better. Take care all you ocean lovers and be safe.....


#2 Mon, 11/22/2010 - 4:08pm


and it increases efficiency too ? Seems like there are few excuses not to get one. Regulations sometimes seem foolish and arbitrary but this one is worth considering.


#3 Mon, 11/22/2010 - 4:14pm


and common sense should prevail while driving a car too. everyone run out to your driveway and rip the airbags out of your car. we've been bamboozled!


#4 Mon, 11/22/2010 - 7:04pm


checked out the site for the prop-guard. it seems it would only work if you have a single outboard or single i/o with leg. def. would not work on shaft boats. lucky if maybe 50% of escort boats would be able to use it. you can make all the rules and regulations you want, mostly it comes down to common sense. both the captain and the paddlers. esp. on FIRST change and until there's separation amongst the pack, it can be very dangerous esp if it's rough. until officials change the format for the start of the race accidents will continue to happen.


#5 Mon, 11/22/2010 - 8:04pm


airbags only save between 4 and 10 thousand people a year. in the US 93 people die every day in car wrecks. i tell you get rid of the cursed things. if they don't save every man woman and child... what good are they!


#6 Mon, 11/22/2010 - 9:35pm


Fortuneately prop shaft boats offer a lot of protection with the hull and rudder(s) and usually a swim step. Sterndrives and outboards are right out there.....
What type of boat and how much safety they afford should be part of a crew's equation in selecting an escort boat. It should be a captain's decision if he wants to offer that extra bit of protection or not...caveat emptor and assumed risk should prevail. Like airbags, seat belt restraints, helmets, PFD's, etc. .....individual choice not imposed rules. Darwin explains it best.
As many have pointed out....the safety problem with the Hoe and other popular races is the chaos and congestion at the first change. I like the idea of going iron for an hour.....that changes race dynamics, maybe hard to regulate from the officials point of view because the canoes will be spread out more...but thats the point.


#7 Tue, 11/23/2010 - 6:49am


Some prices as food for thought.

http://www.getaprop.com/content-categories/cat-896/prop_guard_hydrofoil....

This one states can be mounted on stern drive.

http://www.getaprop.com/content-product_info/product_id-7211/prop_guard_...

aloha,
pog

Captcha hoop for the day ... PREJUDICES heasten


#8 Tue, 11/23/2010 - 8:57am


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