Aluminum to SS...what do I need?

[30 Commander]

Question for the prop experts:

I am ready to invest in a couple of Stainless Steel props. I am presently running these aluminum Quicksilver props:

48 16440 A40 16P

They are 3 bladed props, fat blades, 16 x 16 I understand.

What are Mercury equivalent props in Stainless Steel? Vengeance line? Mirage line?

What pitch do I go to? (I have heard to drop an inch pitch with less flexing in the stainless steel...is this true?)

Here are my details:

30 foot cruiser sport fisherman command bridge
10,000 LB weight
Twin 5.7L Mercs
Alpha legs...1.47 ratio
4400 RPM max with these props
Speed cruise at 20 to 24 knots at 3200 RPM economy

 

[ufm82]

Re: Aluminum to SS...what do I need?

Definitely stick with the Mirage props. Big blades with plenty of surface area for pushing large boats like that. And it's not so much the flex as the thinness of the blades. More efficient/less drag so you might pick up 100-200 rpm with the SS props. They only go up to 15 1/4" though I think but the Merc selector should work for you. The Vengeance props are pretty much aluminum props but in stainless steel; I hate them. Their geometry is almost the same as the aluminum versions. Not much benefit apart from durability. The Mirage props are designed for big stern drives like yours and should do very well. If you need left and right hand and by from a dealer you'll be looking at $1K for the pair.