Rope Cutter for Saildrive

[Katiusha]

We are getting Yanmar SD50 saildrive with Kiwi prop and want to install a rope cutter to go with it. So far online I found two rope cutters that work with saildrives:

1. Ambassador - jagged edge scissor cutter.
2. Sole Diesel - jagged edge disc cutter.

Do you have experience installing either of them? Any things to remember/note?

Do you know of any other rope cutters for saildrives?

Thanks!

[colemj]

We have the ambassador on both saildrives. The prop hub has to be machined down to accommodate it and the zincs have to be modified to fit it. The hub mod is a one-time thing, and the standard zincs can be modified with a hacksaw and a hand drill, but it is a bit of a pain. You can, of course, buy the modified zincs from Ambassador for 5x the price of normal ones, but who can afford $100 zincs?

Our two have been trouble free for 13yrs. The only time that I know they have been put to use is when we once caught a lobster pot when sailing. After a futile attempt to get the line clear, I started the engine, put it in gear and the line cut like butter.

Mark

[CharlesFCook]

Rope cutter test video.

Rope cutter test - YouTube

[colemj]

Interesting video - I'm glad someone made it.

Problem is that Ambassador is the only maker of line cutters I know who make them for saildrives. (I never heard of Sole Diesel, and can't find any info on them). All the others are only for shaft systems.

Mark

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by colemj

Interesting video - I'm glad someone made it.

Problem is that Ambassador is the only maker of line cutters I know who make them for saildrives. (I never heard of Sole Diesel, and can't find any info on them). All the others are only for shaft systems.

Mark

Turns out Sole Diesel makes rope cutters for Yanmar SD20/SD31 as well as some Volvo ones, but not for SD50: [note that this is a PDF] http://www.enginesplus.co.uk/docs/Sole%20Catologue.PDF The cutters are on page 46 of the catalog.

Thanks for the feedback on the Ambassador cutters!

[svfinnishline]

Re: Sole Diesel rope cutters

I just ordered and had delivered direct from Sole Diesel a rope cutter for a Volvo 120S saildrive. They delivered the wrong PN, and to add insult to injury the anode that is made to match the cutter was cracked! So even assuming they sent the correct parts - the crack in the anode (which can easily be seen without magnification) made these parts useless!

Its more than a little frustrating, when the boat is out of the water and ready to accept these bits - and you find the customer service AND quality control lacking. I would not recommend Sole Diesel for anything.

[4HMainer]

The video test by ipc media, only tested the scissor and disc cutters, the shaver cutter was not tested, but th eonly cutter I know of designed for a sail drive is the stripper a scissor cutter.

In the UK the RNLI (UK coastguard rescue) offshore boats use the shaver cutter.

[Gerrit Coetzee]

Originally Posted by svfinnishline

Re: Sole Diesel rope cutters

I just ordered and had delivered direct from Sole Diesel a rope cutter for a Volvo 120S saildrive. They delivered the wrong PN, and to add insult to injury the anode that is made to match the cutter was cracked! So even assuming they sent the correct parts - the crack in the anode (which can easily be seen without magnification) made these parts useless!

Its more than a little frustrating, when the boat is out of the water and ready to accept these bits - and you find the customer service AND quality control lacking. I would not recommend Sole Diesel for anything.

Thank you.
What a pity the poor parts and service.

[SV_Sweet_Ruca]

We have a disk type. It has done its job and saved us from diving under the boat in the dark!

[Gerrit Coetzee]

Originally Posted by SV_Sweet_Ruca

We have a disk type. It has done its job and saved us from diving under the boat in the dark!

Bought from who, if I may ask?
How much it cost?

A ropes man at St.Thomas AYC dropped our stern line (thinking I was leaving...) when busy docking, straight in the propeller.
My engine failed. Drifted with the wind in seconds against other boats.

[Seaweed827]

I use the Shaft Shark on my 3 bladed gori prop.
Was easy to install, clamps to the propeller hub.
Cut through 1.5" mooring line that got wrapped on my prop while trying to tie up with the wife.