RingProp: a revolutionary breakthrough in marine propulsion further details below.

Also please note on September 3, 2003- Yamaha settled out of court for $6.8 million following a propellor strike which left Michael Davies of Alexandria, Virginia totally paralysed.

RingProp - Represents a revolutionary breakthrough in marine propulsion. The technology is the result of a 15 yr research program applying computer modelling from the aerospace industry to the old craft of marine propeller design.The result is a propeller that looks like a conventional prop with a ring around the blades, but is actually a technologically complex & highly advanced new propulsion system.

RingProp "Provides superior overall performance, generating more thrust, greater pulling power, & less steering torque. The result is increased engine efficiency & a distinct reduction in vibration and noise".
RingProp "Fitted boats handle better and are more manoeuverable. Because of the protective ring, there are no exposed blade tips to mutilate swimmers or wildlife".
RingProp "Is the first successful practical application of the old idea of a ringed propeller. The "ring" is actually a scientifically designed hydrofoil integrated with a special blade design. The unique geometry concentrates the flow of water onto the blades and controls vortices. The effect is reduced blade turbulence which degrades propeller performance in open-bladed conventional props".


The dangers of open-bladed propellers and the likely legal implications were spelt out in a December 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling which overturned the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971. The Act in effect vested boat safety in the hands of the U.S. Coast Guard which determined there was no need for guards to be fitted to propellers.

This decision was used by the major outboard engine and boat manufacturers to successfully defend the personal injury and death lawsuits resulting from prop-strike. That was until the Sprietsma case. Jeanne Sprietsma died when she fell overboard and was struck by a propeller in 1995. Her husband sued Mercury saying the propeller was inherently dangerous because it had no propeller guard, and Mercury was ultimately responsible. The case was dismissed in Illinois with Mercury successfully arguing that the state law was pre-empted by the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971.

However, the December '02 Supreme Court decision has thrown the case back to Illinois, ordering a jury trial -- a scenario that has to raise major concerns with the OEM's such as Mercury, Yamaha and Honda. The likelihood that a sympathetic jury will decide in favour of Sprietsma will open the floodgates of litigation - both past and future. The resulting damages suggests major increases in insurance rates to the engine and boat manufacturers and to the millions of pleasure power-boat owners.

Yamaha settles out of court for 6.8 Million September 3, 2003- Yamaha has settled out of court for $6.8 million following a propellor strike which left Michael Davies of Alexandria, Virginia totally paralysed.

Thirty six year old Davies who was thrown from a bass boat into the Red River in October 2000, had originally claimed $63 million.


The solution to the danger of the lethal cutting tips of open-bladed propellers is to fit a propeller guard or fit a RingProp.

The former is costly, cumbsersome and serverly inhibits the boat's performance whereas the RingProp enhances performance while costing no more than a standard open-bladed propellor.

Hi everyone,

This could be ready for a bounce tomorrow as investors pick up this rare stock. Seems to have support at this level.

RR

Long Beach California 20 May 2005. Following the last Red Hot Penny Share Weekly Alert. My local 2 West Marine outlets had not heard of this product allthough it's on the WM website, asked if they had ever sold any - no, are they on the shelves - no. As I am in the peripherals of the marine industry, 10 years for a new product is quick.