No doubt, the rope cutter is THE solution to protect yourself from the rope caught in the propeller. The danger comes when the rope is held at one end. This is the case, for example, on a sailboat, if a sheet drags in the water. Or for a motor boat if it is the rope of a locker. Once twisted around the propeller, with engine power, the rope can damage the shaft. By getting stuck, he can twist the chair or destroy the stern. At worst it can create a waterway that can be important and difficult to contain..
The rope cutter for safety
A line cutter is a sharp blade that attaches to and rotates with the propeller shaft. By using motor rotation, this blade cuts the string before it damages the mechanics.
Since 2002, Delot has offered a one-piece toothed gold cutter. All its rope cutters are made in France. These line cutters can be installed on shaft lines from 19.05 to 50.80 mm in diameter. Specific models for the Yanmar and Volvo sail-drive are also available.
Thus, apart from outboards and Z-drives which can raise the base to free themselves from a rope, all in-line or sail-drive motors can be protected.
For easy installation
The monobloc line cutter (the simplest model in one piece) requires the propeller to be dismantled and installed on the shaft line. To facilitate assembly, Delot has developed the Twinfast (patented model) which consists of 2 parts that screw around the shaft. The line cutter is supplied with a wrench for tightening and a thread lock to lock the screws. Seriously!
Farthest from the propeller
To be effective, try to place the line cutter as far away from the propeller as possible. Ideally close to the stern (as close as possible to the hull) or close to the tree chair. Indeed, a rope cutter installed just behind the propeller has little chance of cutting the rope. Except in the particular case of sail-drive where the arrangement of the propeller stuck against the base leaves no choice.
Protections for the fairing
A horn cutter cuts! To avoid accidents during the fairing and the application of antifouling paint, the Delot company proposes protections for its rope cutters. These are red rubbers that encircle the rope cutter while the boat stays ashore. Why red? Just so you don't forget to remove them when you put them in the water!
Available everywhere
Delot line cutters are available in the major shipchandler networks (Accastillage-diffusion, Bigship, Uship, VDM), but also in an online shop directly on the manufacturer's website.
