Stainless vs. Aluminum Props

[randlemanboater]

I know that stainless props work better than aluminum, but why?

[Skools Out]

lol do yourself a test back your boat into a sand bar with both tell us which one is left lol.

[Airslot]

Aluminum blades flex much more than stainless, giving the stainless the edge in efficiency.

Airslot

[Sean]

I have also heard if you are in rocky areas you would rather have the alluminum then the Stainless as the alluminum prop will get eaten up, but the stainless as more sturdy could infact ruin your lower unit?

[macojoe]

Yes but if you boat any were near rocks or hard bottom!!

Aluminum will break, SS will take out the lower unit!! :o

I use SS unless boating with CB, then I go Aluminum, cause CB is always hitting the bottom ::) :-/

[Skools Out]

LMAO i can see CB saying dang MJ I hit something again. Mj says what else is new but what is it this time lol.

[randlemanboater]

I'm just trying to up my status with posts.

Before you know it I'll be a Senior Junior Member

[JPROCTOR]

It all depends on what you want from your prop. If you want the higher top speed and performance go with the stainless. If you don't mind sacraficing a few mile an hour go with the aluminum. They may break easier, but for the price of a stainless you can buy 2 or 3 aluminum props and keep a spare onboard. If you do hit bottom you want the flex of the aluminum or it can get very expensive (speaking from experience).

Jim

[macojoe]

LMAO i can see CB saying dang MJ I hit something again. Mj says what else is new but what is it this time lol

I went out of Boston in my boat with CB, as we are flying along i see what i think is shallow water and start slowing down, CB says your all right get going.

So I hit the gas and go, then *&%)&%^&*I&TR^*&*(^$%!! :o I look at CB and he says I guess i owe you a prop! With a dumb look on his face!! And this is his back yard!!

[Mulv80]

That story makes me think back before we had a depth finder. Me and my Dad would fly around in the back bays without giving a second though to how deep the water was in certain areas. When we finally got a depth finder and went over those same areas we just gave each other that look like holy crap we were lucky :o
Anyone who has boated in the back waters of NJ know what I'm talking about. There are channels which seem to literally be 10' wide and bays where the water is down to less than a foot at low tide.

[Blue_Runner]

I though all props were equipped with the rubber bushing that is supposed to allow you to "spin" the prop in the event it hits something? I hit a stump with my 70 hp and spun the prop. I thought it was the lower unit at first but luckily it was just the prop.

[parishht]

Mulv,
some of the Delaware areas are the same.
So far I have been lucky and only ran out of water in mud.
After inspecting my prop though, I could see that I was lucky it is aluminum.

[Mulv80]

In NJ when you hit mud chances are its loaded with clams. They can do almost as much damage as rocks.

[JPROCTOR]

The rubber hub is for absorbing the shock when you shift in and out of gear. At a slow spead it may save your lower unit. If you are at higher RPMs you will likely strip a few teeth on the gears in your lower unit.

Jim

[randlemanboater]

In NC we have all deep water and only very fine sand on the bottom if you happen to get right up against the bank..........yeah right!

[Hammerhead]

I run SS props...and scrape bottom on a regular basis. Mostly sand around here but, in Miami I run from Key Biscayne south across the safety valve flats to the upperkeys. It' gets skinny as 8" at high tide in some places. When I feel it hit bottom I usually heel it over on the chine and ride it out or turn around. This is in my 16' Bonita w/90Yam. The V-20 stays in the channel.