Round Britain Help Pentland & Props

[sirib]

Hi
I am half way through a Round Britain Voyage see our really good blog site Take Two Ribs

Can anyone help with any tips with routes and tide times through the Pentland Firth.
We are now (Sunday Night) at Scrabster and are looking at the moment to leave at 7am on Monday to head through the Pentland for Moray Firth. Any tips on the best route for a smooth passage.

I also have a problem in that I "Dinged" my propeller yesterday. It is a 3 bladed Suzuki Stainless Prop 3 x 14.5 x 23R, one blade is a bit curled over on its tip. Does anyone know of an engineer on the east coast of the UK where I might be able to drop in and get it fixed

Any help will be really appreciated

Thanks

[jyasaki]

How much of it is rolled over? Hammering it back into shape is a viable temporary repair until a replacement or more permanent repair can be done. As long as no metal is missing, there shouldn't be a balance issue, and if you can get it reasonably back in shape there shouldn't be much of a performance loss.

Luck on the journey;

jky

[willk]

That would be with something behind it - like a lump hammer to absorb the force you don't want passed on to the hub. It'll work, won't be pretty, but will be better than curled over. It should reduce chances of damage until you get it sorted. You're still looking for a fix. A new prop would be handier....

[Alan Priddy]

Don't hit with a hammer! Use a pair of Mole Grips or adjustable spanner and gradually bend the ding out. As for going around the headland. Ask any of the fisherman and they will tell you to "kiss the cliff" There are big tides but shouldn't present you any problems.Alan P

[sirib]

Thanks for the tips
In Lossiemouth now and have very good engineer helping straighten out the prop.
Depsite Force 7 & Spring tides had a very smooth exit through the Pentand Firth thanks to the timing and route from the Scrabster Harbour Master. We were just a bit nervous about what to expect at the fabled Firth.

So All's well again