SS or Aluminum choice

[jameservin]

I offered to loan a friend my 19p SS to test on his rig before i sell it(as he currently uses 19P alum ).<br /><br />He asked: "why would i want a SS as opposed to my aluminum? Whats the advantages if any"<br /><br />My responce is "none-if you just a prop that works at the lowest cost".<br />"bunch of reasons if you care to have the best performance, gas mileage,longest lasting prop"<br />What else did I miss?<br /><br />We both fish the river and inevitably bump/dig/hit props. <br /><br />I used to think if ya hit something the alum. prop is best as alum prop would damage before LU where SS would surely damage LU.<br />Well, Not sure if I now buy that (?)or maybe its cause fixing a LU is no big deal now as it was few years before(?).At any rate Id never trade SS performance bennefits for aluminums.<br />Did this SS damage LU thing originate from days of brass props? or is there considerable truth to it?<br /><br />My current thought is alum is only good as cheap prop for a spare and to start with for setup as they are quick-cheap to modify for performance tunning.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: SS or Aluminum choice

The rubber hub in the prop protects the gears. The newest generation of props have removable hubs but dont really "spin". You might lose the cushion but it'll still lock up and not spin. It doesnt really seem to bother the gears.<br /><br />We fish in very shallow water around here. If we used aluminum props we'd be buying props about every other trip. The ss props last a very long time even churning thru sand and mud.<br /><br />The ss props tend to hold their shape longer because of less flexing. The ss blades are better suited for todays complex shapes too.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: SS or Aluminum choice

My experience is a bit different. I've seen SS props barely damaged with shredded gears, and whole blades busted off Al props with no apparent gear damage. It seems to be a trend, but definately not carved in granite.<br /><br />SS props have thinner but stronger blades allowing them to slice thru the water easier, making the motor more efficient. You can often get a 1" or 2" steeper pitch SS prop than the equivalent Al prop and run the same RPMs and get a few more MPH.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: SS or Aluminum choice

It's a no brainer for me. Having had both, no way I'll have another alum.<br /><br />Mark