Props?
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AdsBot [Google]
- Commodore
- Posts: 1002
- Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:05 am
RE:Props?
What are the benefits of going stainless vs. aluminum?
I think I know something about this one. If you are going to be boating and fishing the salt go stainless. The extra cost for the stainless is offset by not buying new props every few years due to corrosion around the thrust hub. If you spin the hub it will chew up the cavity were the rubber hub is pressed in and you will have to replace the prop. I played that game for years using aluminum. After buying numerous aluminum props at $600.00 a pop I finally laid out the $800 for stainless. I may spin a hub but it will be easy to re-hub and I will never have to worry about corrosion again.
I think I know something about this one. If you are going to be boating and fishing the salt go stainless. The extra cost for the stainless is offset by not buying new props every few years due to corrosion around the thrust hub. If you spin the hub it will chew up the cavity were the rubber hub is pressed in and you will have to replace the prop. I played that game for years using aluminum. After buying numerous aluminum props at $600.00 a pop I finally laid out the $800 for stainless. I may spin a hub but it will be easy to re-hub and I will never have to worry about corrosion again.
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TroutCowboy
- Lieutenant
- Posts: 253
- Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:30 am
- Location: Liberty Lake
RE:Props?
I did a little research on the difference when I was shopping for a prop on my last boat. Really, the only con I could find (and it was a big one) was up-front cost. About 3-4x that of aluminum or composite. SS is more durable, obviously, but any prop has the same odds of hitting a submerged deadhead or rock so if you are likely to damage props beyond repair, you might still be better off with non-SS if you are going to be buying a few of them.
One argument I heard from somebody was that a SS was more likely to survive a hit that aluminum/composite might not. And the other guy said, "Well wouldn't you rather your cheap prop gave out than bend the shaft or do some other damage to your outdrive?" Good point.
That said, here are the pros for going with SS:
-Durability
-Less flex (aluminum can flex enough during use to drop a full pitch size)
-Thin, sharp leading edge and slick surface decreases drag, increases bite and can improve top speed and hole shot
-Available in larger pitch sizes because the material is stiffer
-More/better cupping can be done on SS, increasing bite and decreasing cavitation
Where it got really crazy was trying to decide on 4-blade or 3-blade, and at what pitch. That is an entirely different topic (and a good one, somebody go start it!), but I was trying to find the perfect combination for a V-8 I/O that was 1/2 family-cruiser and 1/2 wakeboarder. I was a skeptic about the subtle differences until I ran from CD'A all the way to St. Mary's with my 3-blade 20 pitch prop one weekend and my 4-blade 19 pitch the next. The difference was top-speed and the tab at the gas pump.
Hey good luck!
One argument I heard from somebody was that a SS was more likely to survive a hit that aluminum/composite might not. And the other guy said, "Well wouldn't you rather your cheap prop gave out than bend the shaft or do some other damage to your outdrive?" Good point.
That said, here are the pros for going with SS:
-Durability
-Less flex (aluminum can flex enough during use to drop a full pitch size)
-Thin, sharp leading edge and slick surface decreases drag, increases bite and can improve top speed and hole shot
-Available in larger pitch sizes because the material is stiffer
-More/better cupping can be done on SS, increasing bite and decreasing cavitation
Where it got really crazy was trying to decide on 4-blade or 3-blade, and at what pitch. That is an entirely different topic (and a good one, somebody go start it!), but I was trying to find the perfect combination for a V-8 I/O that was 1/2 family-cruiser and 1/2 wakeboarder. I was a skeptic about the subtle differences until I ran from CD'A all the way to St. Mary's with my 3-blade 20 pitch prop one weekend and my 4-blade 19 pitch the next. The difference was top-speed and the tab at the gas pump.
Hey good luck!
Last edited by Anonymous on Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
JOHNNY K.
Liberty Lake, WA
RE:Props?
So what was the difference in the 3 vs. 4 blade prop? I have a 115 merc and I was told to get a spair prop. So I figured I would buy a nice one and keep the stock as a back up. I want somthing that will give me more top end with out raising my rpm's too much. I was told that a SS prop will give you 2-4 mph extra.
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2000subaru
- Commander
- Posts: 552
- Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:13 pm
- Location: Bonney Lake - D. South
RE:Props?
I'm no expert, but I am not too sure that going stainless will gain you any MPH over any other material. You can call any prop shop and get suggestions on a specific prop that might provide more bow lift, speed, rpms, holeshot, torque and such. I'll PM you with a prop site full of info so you can ask specifics.
