question about s/s prop

[KJM]

I hear lots of people stating how they get better performance with a stainless steel prop and I don't dispute it. I'm just curious why this should be? If an aluminum prop and a s/s prop have the same dimensions why would one preform differently? Is it because s/s is stronger and don't flex?

 

[robert graham]

I've read that because the stainless steel is stronger than aluminum that the blades can be made much thinner, which gives it a performance advantage.....

 

[Chris1956]

Stainless steel is a stronger material, which allows prop styles that aluminum cannot support. In other words, SS props can have more rake, thinner blades and other high performance constructs.

​Not all SS props are high-performance. Some are the same design as standard performance aluminum props, and perform in a similar fashion. Some aluminum props are high performance to a degree, and can give you nearly the performance of a high performance SS prop.

 

[Sea Rider]

​Not all SS props are high-performance. Some are the same design as standard performance aluminum props, and perform in a similar fashion. Some aluminum props are high performance to a degree, and can give you nearly the performance of a high performance SS prop.

Excellent clarification Chris,

According to Iboats : When running at speeds over 50 mph, stainless props will perform better than aluminum. A waste of money on portable OB's as factory delivered alum props works well when OB reaches middle to max wot rpm range.

Happy Boating

 

[Texasmark]

Pull up a Turning Point (brand) Hustler aluminum and look at the amenities (over standard alum. props) it advertises. Only thing missing are the thin blades that SS strength vs alum. allows. On what difference do thin blades make.........Get a baseball bat and a machete. Smack the water with both. You tell me what difference thin blades makes..............

 

[harleyman1975]

Pull up a Turning Point (brand) Hustler aluminum and look at the amenities (over standard alum. props) it advertises. Only thing missing are the thin blades that SS strength vs alum. allows. On what difference do thin blades make.........Get a baseball bat and a machete. Smack the water with both. You tell me what difference thin blades makes..............

Never thought of that! good point.

 

[Sea Rider]

Same diam/pitch SS props are not not that "huge thick" compared to same alum ones.. If a machete is wacked against water by the handle, wider the better, there should be no differences when both bites water....LOL!!

Happy Boating