If you have a question relating to propeller protection, propeller fouling or specifically the rope Stripper you may find its already been answered below.
If not, you can submit your question at the bottom of this page.
- I have a long keel, do I still need a rope cutter?
- Do I have to remove the propeller to install a Stripper?
- How do I modify anodes I already have for my Saildrive?
- Do I have to remove the propeller to perform maintenance on my Stripper?
- How often will I need to service my Stripper?
- How can I tell when the bearings need to be replaced?
- Can I install a Stripper on an outboard or Z drive?
- Do rope Strippers work with folding propellers?
- My new propeller has a different number of blades to my Stripper, is this okay?
- Part of my Stripper is damaged, do I have to buy an entire new Stripper?
- My original bearings had a peg in them, my new ones do not, is this right?
I have a long keel, do I still need a rope cutter?
Yes, a long keel does not provide any protection against rope fouling when motoring as any materials in the water will be drawn towards and through the propeller.
Do I have to remove the propeller to install a Stripper?
To install a conventional shaft rope Stripper you do not need to remove the propeller as the unit is assembled in halves that bolt onto the propeller shaft. To install a saildrive Stripper you do need to remove the propeller.
How do I modify anodes I already have for my Saildrive?
If you already own spare anodes for your Saildrive, these can be modified to accept the Stripper. The Yanmar anode only requires a hole to be drilled for the fixed cutter retaining pin, this can be completed with a simple electric drill. The Volvo 120 requires a hole to be drilled and part of the outer lip removed for the fixed cutter blade and retaining pin, this can be completed with a drill, hacksaw or file. The Volvo 130/150 anode is in two halves and requires a hole drilled for the fixed cutter retaining pin and material removed from inside, this is best done in a machine shop.
Do I have to remove the propeller to perform maintenance on my Stripper?
For conventional shaft driven boats the Propeller does not have to be removed to replace the bearings or any other part of the Stripper as it is assembled in halves that bolt onto the propeller shaft.
On the later Volvo sail drives (SD130, SD140 and SD150) the anode can be replaced without removing the propeller, however, to work on the Stripper the propeller does have to be removed.
How often will I need to service my Stripper?
The only wearing parts on a Stripper are the white Delrin bearings that hold the fixed cutter. These wear depending on the number of engine hours run and the silt content of the water. Higher engine hours and silt content will lead to greater wear reducing the life of the bearings.
How can I tell when the bearings need to be replaced?
The bearings hold the fixed cutter in place, once they start to wear the fixed cutter can move closer to the rotary cutter and if left could make contact with the rotary cutter. During regular boat servicing we recommend trying to squeeze the fixed and rotary cutter blades together to assess bearing wear, once the distance between the two reduces to less than the width of a finger nail the bearings need replacing.
Can I install a Stripper on an outboard or Z drive?
Unfortunately it is not possible to install a Stripper on either an outboard or a Z drive.
Do rope Strippers work with folding propellers?
Yes, Ambassador Marine Strippers can be installed with folding propellers on both conventional drive and saildrive boats, although with some configurations modifications do need to be made to the propellers.
My new propeller has a different number of blades to my Stripper, is this okay?
The Stripper is designed so the number of cutting blades either matches your propeller or its blades can sit directly in front of some of the propeller blades (2 bladed Stripper in front of a 4 bladed propeller). This allows each propeller blade to receive the same make up of disturbed and free flow water avoiding over stressing an individual propeller blade.
On a high performance power boat, the cavitation controlling benefits of the Stripper can only be realised if the cutting blades are mounted correctly in front of the propeller blades. Therefore, matching the number of blades on the cutter to the number of blades on the Stripper is critical.
Part of my Stripper is damaged, do I have to buy an entire new Stripper?
No, the Ambassador Marine Stripper is designed in parts allowing the replacement of individual components. If you need a specific part that isn't available online, please give us a call. For help see our guide for identifying which Stripper model you have and which part you need.
My original bearings had a peg in them, my new ones do not, is this right?
Yes, the original bearings had a beg or raised lump that engaged into a hole in the fixed cutter that held the bearings stationary with respect to the fixed cutter. It was discovered that if the bearings where allowed to rotate freely their life was increased, hence since the bearings have not had the beg on. If you have pegged bearings and a newer fixed cutter there is no hole to engage the peg into, these bearings can be fitted by filing the peg down.
Submit your question to us
Please use the following form to submit a generic question to us, if you are enquiring about a conventional shaft Stripper installation please use the enquiry form rather than this "frequently asked questions" form. Please include your contact details so we can reply to your question.