aluminum or stainless steel

[jmarty10]

I currently have a 3 blade aluminum prop for my sterndrive 190 hp boat. I'm thinking about purchasing a stainless steel prop. I boat on the fox river and some areas are pretty shallow. Each year I tear up at least one prop and ding another pretty good. I'm thinking stainless steel will not ding and dent so much.> What are the opinions for and aginst out there?

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: aluminum or stainless steel

depends how fast you go, ss are for speeds over 40mph
My best advice is to use aluminum, that will save you from bending your propshaft.
I run in the ocean and watch my depthsounder like a hawk! so I never hit bottom.
In a river or lake thats nearly impossible.

 

[Bondo]

Re: aluminum or stainless steel

I'm thinking stainless steel will not ding and dent so much.>

Ayuh,... Instead of replacing Props,.... You'll be Replacing Outdrives...

 

[lrdchaos]

Re: aluminum or stainless steel

Yep stick with alum.....You can replace 4 props for the price of a good stainless, not to mention the rebuild price to fix the stainless props as they will bend as well.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: aluminum or stainless steel

I just tore up my aluminum prop this weekend and had the same question. When I was in the marine shop talking to the service guys they had the same answer as the fellas here - always go aluminum in lakes (we're in MN) and rivers. They said it's about $1,000 to replace a prop shaft. And they had a two to three week wait to get an appt in their service shop. I would prefer not to be without my boat for three weeks...and I'd prefer not to be without $1,000! I just bought a new aluminum prop on iboats for $96. The last one I had repaired was sent out to a shop in MI by West Marine and it was $88.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: aluminum or stainless steel

Ok - I will stick with the aluminum prop and save the $400
Thanks. But basically, alum is better because it gives? Where SS will not? Correct?

 

[speedmerchant]

Re: aluminum or stainless steel

Correct.