Yes, I learned about aluminum props the hard way too! Just put on a brand new aluminum prop, went fishing, ran through some shallow water with oyster shells, goodbye brand new prop! My next one was stainless! Even after hitting something and bending the blades up, it was able to be fixed for a fraction of the cost of a new one. It also seems to perform better, but that may just be my imagination.
Now my motor uses a 14 3/4 x 19 and I get up to the low 50's at wot. turning 5600 rpm. Yamaha OX66 225hp.
