Prop Guards
Link to guidance from the RYA.
Twice in the last week people have asked me for information on prop guards. I thought perhaps it is time to put a quick post up directing people to the guidance available from the RYA. The RYA are “the national body for dinghy, yacht and motor cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sports boats, windsurfing and personal watercraft and a leading representative for inland waterways cruising.”
What is a prop guard? These are plastic or metal guards that you place around the propeller on an engine. There are a variety of manufacturers and types. They are particularly in use by organisations using boats that will be around people in the water. In that instance they’re usually put in place to protect anyone in the water from a strike from the propeller. However they can also protect the propeller from striking an object such as a rock or the seabed.
On the face of it they would seem an amazing idea. It is hard to see why we don’t automatically have them in use on all boats. However, there are a few issues to consider and as such the RYA have issued guidance which allows individuals to assess their own situation.
The link to the guidance is here – https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/safe-boating/look-after-yourself/equipment-for-uk-pleasure-vessels/Pages/prop-guards.aspx
