Prop Safety Guard Affect On Wake

SoCoSunRunner · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 4 City: Dgo

What kind of decrease in wave size will I expect to see adding a prop safety guard to my boat. Built a big swim deck and GONNA wake surf behind my I/O and want to protect myself a bit. I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW. The question is NOT if I should do it. I know your replies on that one. Just want to know what will happen to the wake and wave if I add a prop safety guard to an 87 Volvo Penta V8 I/O 19foot V Hull Runabout. Again, gonna happen so don't need advice about my Darwin Award, just the guard.

Thanks,

W

pet575 · Posted: Jul 12, 2010 10:00 am Post subject:

brichter14 · Addict Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 705

is it even possible to wakesurf behind an I/O?, thought that the wake isnt designed for it...

SoCoSunRunner · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 4 City: Dgo

Some practice loops with the right loading of the stern made a great wave. Not perfect but great for working with what I got. The getto booty that the V8 is packin actually stands it up pretty good for an old girl.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

I'm not sure any type of guard is going to affect the wake all that much. Wake size and shape has more to do with the hull and weighting from what I understand. What kind of guard did you have in mind?

SoCoSunRunner · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 4 City: Dgo

The basket style pictured here http://www.allinflatables.com/shopping/custom/guards.html
Will be making it custom in my buddies metal shop out of Stainless so design suggestions in the way of helping to not disturb the wave is appreciated

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

That model 9000 stainless grate style seems like it would provide a fair amount of a safety factor. I don't see anything in the design the leads me to believe it would affect the wake. Maybe others will chime in.

Nooga678 · Posted: Jul 13, 2010 7:38 am Post subject:

I can't think of a reason it would affect the wake. I could see it affecting thrust and performance if anything. You may also want to look into the saftey propeller that has been posted on this before as well. Maybe use the combination of the saftey propeller and a guard.

ridininmd · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 1231

I don't think it would effect the wake much, I would wonder more about the amount of drag it would produce and stress that it would add to the lower unit and transom. At low speed it probably wouldn't be much but at higher speeds it seems like it would create a lot of stress and drag.

SoCoSunRunner · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 4 City: Dgo

Since we are fabricating it I'm pondering making the inner grid removable from the outter rings for travel. Off to cruise, jump in, reattach and surf.