Tow BoatUS/Detroit Buys Sharrow Props For 6-Boat Fleet

Tow BoatUS/Detroit Buys Sharrow

Tow BoatUS/Detroit tested twin Sharrow props for two weeks and on 12 rescue missions

Sharrow Marine announced this morning that Tow BoatUS/Detroit has joined their OEM Sharrow Propeller™ Boatbuilder Program and plans to outfit its entire 6-boat fleet with Sharrow Propellers by the spring of 2022. Tow BoatUS/Detroit performs over 700 rescue missions each year around Detroit as well as parts of Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. 

“I am truly excited to be a part of the OEM Sharrow Propeller program,” said Tow BoatUS/Detroit owner/operator, Jeff Pidcock. “We run over 700 rescue missions per year in all weather conditions. Efficiency, speed between missions, safety, and more command of our vessels are the things we care about the most.”

Pidcock’s team of captains tested the props on the rescue boat shown above for two weeks an on 12 rescue missions. The captains reported a significant improvement of performance in fuel economy, speed and towing power.

By changing over to Sharrow props, the 6-boat fleet is expected to yield significant fuel savings because its boats can get on plane at lower RPM, plus go faster at midrange RPM. Because Sharrow props transfer torque to water more effectively than conventional props at low RPM, tow boat captains will have more vessel control, particularly when backing with a heavy load, said Sharrow Prop founder and CEO, Greg Sharrow. 

Tugboats

Data collected electronically from the NMEA 2000 backbone from each of the individual boats in the fleet will be used by the Sharrow Marine Engineering team to dial-in the custom design that will be delivered for each specific vessel. Each boat will have a different and custom-made Sharrow prop for its specific application

Before placing his order, Jeff Pidcock sent one of his captains to the Sharrow Marine testing site to run several tests on the Sharrow Marine 35’ Contender demo boat, and said, “I’m sold on Sharrow props, and can’t wait to enhance our fleet’s capabilities with them.”

After placing his order, Sharrow Marine immediately outfitted 1 of the 6 boats in the Tow BoatUS/Detroit fleet with trial props that are used to collect data for the optimized custom designs that Sharrow will make. After using the trial props, Captain Alex Haggart said, “I felt an immediate difference when Sharrow Marine put the new props on. I was impressed by the way the Sharrow props grab the water. They clearly outperform conventional props when maneuvering and under tow. It’s a totally different experience.”  

Two Boat Boat

The Detroit Tow BoatUS franchise has a sterling reputation and was recognized by the USCG for saving nine boaters after a collision sank their boat and threw all occupants in the water. Some were in serious condition when rescued and had to be rushed to shore.

OEM Sharrow Boatbuilder Program

Last week, Sharrow Marine rolled out an OEM Sharrow Propeller Boatbuilder Program, which Tow BoatUS/Detroit will be taking advantage of on a fleet basis. According to Sharrow, the program includes a comprehensive development package for each boatbuilder that will provide them with custom-designed and custom-made Sharrow Propellers™ that enhance efficiency and performance attributes that are most important to each boat builder for individual models. For example, planing speed, handling at the dock, and faster speeds at optimum cruise.

The Sharrow Marine engineering team will use their proprietary design and simulation capability to optimize boat hull, motor, and propeller interactions to give each boatbuilder an advantage over their competition, the company said.

The plans also include attractive incentives, for participating boat builders.

Tow Boat

Every boat in the fleet has its own propeller needs for optimum performance. “The day of one props fits all boats is over,” said Sharrow.

 

Sharrow OEM Program to Fleet Owners

Sharrow said that while the OEM Sharrow Propeller program was initially planned only for boatbuilders, the immediate interest from fleet owners made him decide to extend the program to them as well.

“I absolutely love the fact that the Sharrow Propeller will now be at the heart of each rescue mission that Tow BoatUS Detroit performs,” said Sharrow. “Maneuverability, dependability, durability, and efficiency are critical to every Sharrow Propeller design, and these are the things that are also critical to tow boat operations, so this really is a perfect fit for our technology.”

BoatTEST Reviewed Sharrow Props 2 Years Ago

Capt. Steve and his team of BoatTEST captain spent seven days testing the Sharrow prop under closely monitored conditions and found the props to have some significant performance qualities. To see the video and exhaustive report, click here…

 For Boat Builders and fleet owners ONLY:

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHARROW MARINE OEM SHARROW PROPELLER™ BOATBUILDER PROGRAM---

ONLINE: Please make an online appointment with a member of our Professional Services Team today to learn more: www.sharrowmarine.com/pro

IN-PERSON MEETING AT IBEX 2021: Sign up for an in-person meeting with one of our Professional Services Team members at IBEX 2021 (booth 1-1009): www.sharrow-marine.com/IBEX2021