As some of you already know, I am a rookie bass boat owner.  I plan on getting out into every type of waterway available here in Nebraska including the Missouri river.  Has anyone ever used the River Runner prop guard that attaches to the skeg?  They seem like a huge waste of cash and appear that they would actually create more damage if you did hit an object of considerable size.  Never seen or talked to anyone that has one.

Back in the old days, at least, when I was a kid, we used to make prop guards out of 4 prong hoes and attach them with big hose clamps. I have seen those guards and I would say they are better than nothing. I am not sure what kind or size of motor you have but, in the old days most of us had 10 and 15 hp motors--I had a old Johnson 25 I used around here and they had shear pins. If it does hit the prop you will propably just shear a pin but, still might do some damage to the prop. We used to hit  so much in low water that we started cutting up brazing rod for shear pins. Have you ever considered Jet Drive? To the point, some protection is better than none.

   www.sonarsearch.com/Jets.htm

     

My son bought a 97 Tracker with a 40 hp Mercury it had one in great shape. since he does only lake's we took it off. It's for sale if you'd like it $35.00 plus shipping.

pictures availible. It's made from 1/4' stainless this and attacjes with 6 bolts.

Save your money, I fish a river 75% of the time. We have gone through 3 different types and all of them are junk. All it does is weaken your skeg. Once you drill a hole in the skeg, it creates a break point, Hit a rock and the skeg will crack right across the hole.

Use an alumminum prop, drive slow and know where you are going. It's your best bet. If you hit a rock at 20 mph, that skeg protector is'nt gonna save anything. Safest way to go is a jet.

Rob

thanks for the info fellas, one of these days i'll get around to actually providing some helpful feedback instead of asking so many questions!!  i have an oddball Merc 135 and have only had it out twice since i purchased the boat this fall.  I appreciate the offer on the guard there Stratos, probably wouldn't match up and am thinking all the drilling would critically weaken the skeg.  i'll just stick with the aluminum prop and get familiar with the lay of the land, so to speak.  Merry Christmas guys.

There is another way if you ever buy another motor.  Take a look at the 'beavertail' style of aircooled engine with prop that comes out of the water if the guard hits a log or something.  There are several brands on the market, some better, bigger, and more expensive than others.

These things were designed for duck hunters to plow their way across mud flats and they will go practically in no water.  I've got one and it is more noisy than the regular motor but it will get you through rough places.  I wish that I had a bigger one.  Louisianna is where these things shine.  ;D  They will run a river.

There is 2 models I'm pretty sure. There are for the 10-50 hp or so. I'm sure that 135 is a bit much.