Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

[dy168]

Hi,<br /><br />I am planning to switch to a stainless steel prop. My current engine size is a MerCruiser 3.0L Alpha I I/O board. The size of the current alum. prop is 14.25 x 21P. At WOT, the rpm is around 4750 and speed is around 38mph to 42mph. Someone told me that my engine is not big enough (135hp) to handle a stainless steel prop and it will just slow down the speed of the boat because the prop is a few times heavier than my current alum. prop. Any suggestion?

 

[fast_c_class]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Im not familar with the recommended operating range of your engine, but i will tell you this. this "someone" you talked to is dead wrong. a stainless prop will raise your rpms by 100-200 if you stick with the 21p. stainless props have thinner bland sections and are therefore more efficent than there aluminum counterparts.<br /> <br />a general rule of thumb is when going to stainless go up 1-2 pitches to compensate for the extra rpm.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Actually, that's usually not the case.<br /><br />The stainless prop, though the blades are thinner, is as heavy or heavier than it's aluminum counterpart. In addition, the stiffer stainless blades flex less and therefore hold their pitch better than an aluminum prop, which usually causes a drop of 200 rpm or so over an equally pitched aluminum prop.<br /><br />That all being said, you're at the top of your operating RPM for a typical 3.0L with the prop you have. Going to an equivalent stainless prop should keep you in the same RPM range, maybe drop you to around 4600R. <br /><br />As fast_c_class said, whoever told you that was wrong. The stainless prop will be an improvement over the aluminum one. There are engines less than 100hp that use stainless all the time. <br /><br />Good luck.

 

[danie]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

The only reason I can think of why you would like to change down in pitch is for better holeshot. If Im correct then I suggest that you test two four bladers with pitches 19 and 21 before buying.<br />S/steel? Yes!<br />D

 

[dy168]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Thanks for replying. This "someone" that told me not to get a stainless steel prop is the service manager (a tech himself) at my dealership. He told me if I REALLY want to switch to a stainless steel, better get one with 17 pitch. So, should I just stick with the same size like my Alum. prop (14.25 X 21P) or go down the pitch? Also, what is holeshot?

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Holeshot is how fast your boat goes from a dead stop to on plane.<br /><br />Sounds to me like you need to find a new place to get a prop. That guy is dead wrong. Check around your area for a prop shop. Lots of places deal ONLY with props. We have several here in ther Twin Cities, and most of them really know their stuff.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Are you looking for more speed, or better hole shot?... hole shot is the the time it takes takes for your boat to get on a plane.If you ski, or wakeboard its important.Personaly I think stainless props are a waste for most aplications ( but they do look nice!) there are other alteratives that will work better and be cheaper than a 500$ prop .Just my opinion.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? You will get much better advice if we know. Changing props may be popular but not always the answer to performance.

 

[dy168]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Hi all, I am not looking for better performance or hole shot, just to get a more durable prop. The paint of my current alum. prop is coming off since I took it to a prop shop to repair and its getting very ugly looking. The fellow at the prop shop suggests me to get a stainless steel prop. As long as it won't DECREASE the performance of my boat, I will be happy with it. I don't use my boat to ski or wakeboarding, just to cruise on the lake and river. Not so expensive, I checked it on iboats.com and its only $249.

 

[Belchy]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Remember, a stainless prop will not be as forgiving as an aluminium, if you hit it of something. you have a better chance of loosing only a blade or two if you hit the aluminium, as opposed to hitting the stainless which could do some major damage to the gears which will equal a lot of money. <br /><br />If you are crusing on the lake and river, i would keep the aluminium, unless there is you bring along a lot of gear and friends. <br /><br />Belchy

 

[dy168]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Hi Belchy,<br /><br />Why would a stainless cause damage to gears?

 

[trickasabrick]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

The stainless prop is a lot stronger than aluminum. If you hit something hard at speed, the prop will stop abruptly and the engine may not, thus putting a lot of stress on the outdrive. I just changed a lower unit on a boat I just bought. The previous owner had hit something hard enough that the prop shaft and drive shaft were both twisted! Interestingly enough, the prop was not really all that tweaked.

 

[dy168]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

i c.........trickabrick

 

[dy168]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

....may be I should just a new alum. prop then.

 

[stevens]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Hi,<br /><br />I just changed to a stainless steel propeller today and found that it didn't make much of a difference, at least not to my boat and at the low speeds at which I go.<br /><br />The whole process is described in this thread:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=011964#000010 <br /><br />As I took the aluminum prop off today, after one season of use, it seemed as good as new after I scrubbed it off.<br /><br />If I could do it over, I'd save the money on the stainless steel prop. Find a good aluminum one instead, say a Michigan Wheel Match, and buy your wife some wine & flowers for the $200 savings.

 

[dy168]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Stevens,<br /><br />Thats a good idea!

 

[cuzner]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

If there is no damage on your prop, what I do every year is sand and repaint the blades that are missing paint. I toutch up the skeg too as needed.You can buy oem paint from a merc dealer, I paid 10$,and still have most of the can left. You still can't beat the look of a stainless prop though!<br /><br /> Jim

 

[dy168]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

Cuzner, I only have one prop, I need a spare one anyway, I will just get another alum. one and use the current ugly looking one as spare. BTW, which part of Canada do you live? I am from Edmonton.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

I live in a little village (south Woodslee) about a half hour outside of Windsor On. Do my boating on Erie and St Claire. I spent a little time in Vegas about 10 years ago(abot 3 months) great city!!! I could'nt up with the pace too much to do.. You boat on Mead?<br /><br /> Jim

 

[QC]

Re: Should I buy a stainless steel prop?

I was gonna ask the same riverwolf. We hang out at Mead a lot. Houeseboat last year. I have some comments on the List Your Favorite Lake thread in Destinations. Great place!!!!