Sillette started building its name for having a stock of over 2,000 propellers - covering bronze and aluminium, fixed and folding models - back in the early 90s, when it became obvious that there were a few issues around supply times and delivery costs.

'From our own experience, we thought that there was probably a market - and so now we have a regular seven-day delivery and a two-day express service on most propellers,' says Alan Plant of Sillette.

This ability to respond quickly is something that came in very handy for the owner of the Hallberg Rassy HR62 Eleanda, when the boat's propeller became fouled with another vessel's anchor chain after an accident.

'The call came in from South Devon yesterday: the request was for a 30" diameter three-blade folding propeller, the biggest propeller that Gori manufacture. However, we organised the details last night, and this morning the new propeller is being dispatched.'

This is no easy stock order job, though, as Mr Plant explains that every propeller has to be bored to suit the shaft, many shafts having a large variation diameter and taper, and although some parts come off the shelf, much has to be customised to fit the specific vessel.

Sillette also has a range of propulsion systems, stern drives and sail drives, which have been developed since 1975. The company equips many of the Ocean 60 racing yachts, and counts as customers people such as Mike Golding, who brought both propulsion system and propellers, Robin Knox Johnson, who had a propeller and drive system fitted for his single handed round the world race in 2007 aboard Saga Insurance, and Ellen Macarthur who returned in June this year acquiring a new Gori folding propeller, supplied by Sillette, for her current vessel.

Sillette also has a growing market in the USA for its catamaran drive system, and the latest in electric sail drives. In fact, the USA is Sillette's largest market for propulsion systems, despite the adverse exchange rates.

Sillette Sonic
Unit 2, Beverley Trading Estate
190/192 Garth Road
Morden
Surrey
SM4 4LU
T: 020 8337 7543
F: 020 8330 9014
E: sales@sillette.co.uk
W: sillette.co.uk
Contact Alan Plant