THE HISTORY
Dunnrite Propellers is owned
and operated by Ric and Gail Dunn who formed the company in 1995
at Morrinsville.
The business now operates from a Propeller Workshop & Parts
Centre in Tauranga. Tauranga is a city on the east coast of New
Zealand and looks out over the Pacific Ocean. Tauranga is a 2
1/2 hour drive from Auckland, the "City of Sails".
Before becoming a prop technician,
Ric became qualified as an automotive engine machinist and then
as a marine engineer. As an auto machinist Ric was involved with
racing motors in both cars and boats. Boats won the day and Ric
raced a flat bottom circuit boat for a few years until family
responsibilities took him off the water. Ric's background has
proved beneficial when it comes to understanding horsepower,
gear ratios, torque and the loads involved with incorrect propeller
sizing etc.
When Ric chose to specialise
in marine propellers he went to Jack Tapp who was the recognised
authority on performance propeller repairs in New Zealand. Dunnrite
Propellers was formed and started trading in November 1995. After
a trip to the USA to gain further knowledge and acquire the expertise
of manufacturing stainless steel propellers in 1996 we bought
Jack Tapp's propeller business in March 1997 and have not looked
back.
Dunnrite Propellers were approved
as the sole New Zealand agents for Michigan Wheel Propellers
in 1997.
We can supply stainless steel
propellers, new and used.
If its an aluminium propeller you're after then we can usually
supply a Michigan Match, Vortex, Quicksilver, or other aluminium
propellers.
If you want a bronze propeller for any application including
sail boats we can supply that to. Bronze propellers for inboard
powered vessels are usually custom built to suit each application.
We source bronze propellers according to the application and
the customers needs.
Dunnrite Propellers stock new
propellers for outboards and sterndrives that are fitted with
approved high quality drive hubs or the XHS exchangeable drive
hub from Michigan. The drive hub protects the gearbox from premature
failure.
Dunnrite Propellers can repair
& service all boat propellers including aluminium, bronze
and stainless steel up to 25" diameter in their workshop
in Tauranga.
Ric is interested to hear from
boat owners who want to get the best out of their boat whether
it be for fishing, skiing, diving, wake boarding, cruising, racing
or any combination of the above.
If you have a propeller problem
Ric & Gail at Dunnrite Propellers invite you to send your
propeller to them by courier or take it to their Propeller Workshop
& Parts Centre at 61 Freyberg Street Tauranga.
