Thanks for clearing things up. It was nice of you to come back and fill out
the details...

Brian



"F Finecey" wrote in message
...
Sorry folks but no scam here. I'm just sharing my experience. This is my
first boat and I'm still pretty clumsy with it. (you ought to see the show
when I use a boat ramp) The 30 hp Yamaha was fitted with a stainless
steel prop by the person I bought it from and I did not want to add any
more nicks to it than I already had.

I assure you that I have no affiliation with the Hydro-Shield vendor. I
was looking through a Shallow Water Angler magazine (no affiliation with
them either), saw the ad and it looked like it would work. I too did a
web search but could not find any local outlets or independent reviews. I
asked around locally if anyone knew anything about it and found one person
who saw the same ad and installed one on his boat. He was satisfied.

My experience with the Hydro-Shield has been positive. It is scuffed from
a few prop hits. The nylon "wings" prevented the prop from hitting
something hard. The attachment plates pretty much cover the skeg and I
have not removed it to do a "sure-nuff" inspection. There may be some
weakening of the skeg due to drilling the four holes needed to mount the
unit. I dressed up the holes with a slight bevel to limit any stress
risers. The next time I pull the boat out of the water I'll take a peek.

During the past two years the Aucilla river has been out of the banks on
and off for several weeks due to heavy rains and has remained very stained
compared to my first years living here. I run the river slow and make sure
that my motor is not locked down so it will bounce when I do make a hit.
I still manage to bounce off the rocks when I miss the slot going under
the HWY 98 bridge or heading up the west run towards the Slave Canal. This
gadget has served its main purpose, preventing prop damage. Also, the bow
does not ride up as high increasing my visibility. I have seen no
difference before and after with regards to picking up crap when operating
in shallow water. I do not have a tach but my throttle position is about a
eighth of a twist less going up river since the installation.

By the way, this is my second Hydro-Shield. It is not a Magic Shield. My
"grand-son-in-law" hit hard with the motor locked down and knocked the
whole foot off. The folks at Big Bend Marine (these folks I will indorse)
inspected the transom and it was sound.

Again no scam, no affiliation, I'm just sharing my very limited boating
experience.

Cheers, FIN



****************
"Brian D" wrote in message ...
I doubt it's a scam, but I'm betting some affiliation there ...sounds like
a sales job to me too.......... I did a web search and I did find one
marina that carried it and I found one guy that was considering it, but
other than one.......... I can't see why it wouldn't work, but I wonder
what stress it puts on your skeg if you hit something, and how much
additional crap you'll pick up with it when operating in shallow
water....................

Brian