Frequently Asked Questions

We carry a variety of propeller and rudder shafts in our inventory ranging from 1” up to 3.5” and equivalent metric sizes. Larger shaft sizes are available by special order. We also cut, re-taper, and straighten used shafts.

Yes, R. E. Thomas Marine Hardware, Inc. warrants the products we manufacture to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from date of shipment by R. E. Thomas Marine Hardware, Inc. under normal use and service. Additional warranty information and terms can be found on our warranty page.

The last thing any one of us wants to do is damage commercial fishing gear or cut a fellow boater’s mooring so it goes without saying that a rope cutter (line cutter) should only be considered as a secondary means to preventing line entanglement in your boat’s propeller. A proper lookout should always be maintained, and every effort should be made to avoid running too close to lobster buoys, crab pots, moorings, long line sets, and other marked obstacles. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of marine debris that can’t be seen or avoided. That’s why installing a quality line cutter system like our Piranhas can help make your boating experience safer and more enjoyable.

We believe everyone deserves access to the best marine hardware and running gear. That’s why RE Thomas Marine Hardware proudly serves boaters, boat builders and marine mechanics across the USA and Canada including Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York , Connecticut and the Canadian Maritimes. We’ve even shipped complete marine shafts and hardware packages to Nevada. In addition to UPS and freight delivery options, local delivery is also available by request.

In addition to our own line of marine hardware and running gear, we can also repair or modify used components. Whether you need to repair an old brass porthole or need a custom spool piece made for a large aquaculture project, RE Thomas can handle a variety of precision machining jobs. We also work closely with local fabricators and will gladly refer you to someone else if we’re unable to help.

Yes! RE Thomas Marine Hardware welcomes the challenge of unique running gear or marine hardware needs. Whether you’re looking to replace a stuffing box on an antique wooden boat or you’re building a new boat and need help engineering a new running gear package, we can help!

We’re sorry but we do not service propellers. However, we do work closely with several companies that not only offer new propellers, but can meet all of your propeller re-furbishing needs as well. Please give us a call if you need any assistance finding a suitable propeller shop to meet your needs.

At RE Thomas Marine Hardware, we’ve built our reputation on the quality and performance of the products we produce. We’re a local Maine company offering world class products with an uncompromising passion for safety and reliability. Our products have been rigorously tested in the commercial fishing grounds off the coast of New England and Canada are we’re humbled and honored by the trust we’ve earned with our customers.

One of the most polarizing boat-building/boat-renovation topics over the last few years has been around whether or not to install a modern “dripless” shaft seal in a boat. While the promise of a dry bilge is alluring to many boaters, the results often don’t live up to the marketing hype. In fact, one of the most prominent manufacturers of dripless shaft seals actually has a series of videos on how to stop their “dripless” shaft seal from leaking. There’s no doubt that dripless shaft seals work great when they’re installed perfectly. The bad news is when they fail, sometimes with no warning, the results can be catastrophic. As a licensed captain having sailed large commercial vessels all over the world, I would sleep much better at night knowing my boat’s watertight integrity was being maintained by a heavy duty self-aligning stuffing box vs. something that looked like it was made with the rubber bellows of a toilet plunger.

Although RE Thomas does not offer marine welding services at our facility, we have a great relationship with experienced local marine fabricators and welders who we often team up with on special projects. Whether you need repairs made to a propeller shaft or you’re looking for a unique custom piece, RE Thomas can help bring your project together quickly.

If you’re a marine supply retailer, boat builder, or marine service yard, we’d love to discuss our product line and how we can add value to the products and services you offer your customers. Give us a call today to learn more.