Chosing a stainless prop for my VP SX 3.0

[borz170]

I have a '07 Larson 180 Sport with the VP 3.0 SX drive. I curently have an aluminum 14.5 x 21 P that came with the boat, new from the dealer. It is currently vibrating and is doing so because of several nicks. I hammered and dollied a few small dings out, then filed it down. The vibration is a bit better, but not perfect. When the prop was new, I tried skiing behind her with two people and a black lab on the boat. Weight on board was approx 1/2-2/3 capacity with people/gear/gas. I was able to get up, but the boat struggled a lot. I have been wanting a stainless for a while now and have decided on a 19 rather than a 21. I found one on ebay that will fit, brand new from busters marine for $195 + Shipping. This sounds like a great deal, I think it is a VP brand prop. Thoughts?

I was also told that just going to a stainless may improve things. I am only getting 4400 RPM's at WOT, but the book states 42-46. This is in the middle. I can get 46 mph with myself and a light load. I rarely run at WOT, but I don't want to loose too much top end. Do you think this prop for will be decent? Attached is the eBay link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STAI...7675167QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[Bondo]

Re: Chosing a stainless prop for my VP SX 3.0

Ayuh,...

If you've been beating the bottom with your aluminum prop,..
You Don't want a SSteel wheel,...
You'll be Beating the crap outa your Drive's gears,+ shafts, instead of Just the prop...

 

[borz170]

Re: Chosing a stainless prop for my VP SX 3.0

Ayuh,...

If you've been beating the bottom with your aluminum prop,..
You Don't want a SSteel wheel,...
You'll be Beating the crap outa your Drive's gears,+ shafts, instead of Just the prop...

I am very carefull when operating in shallow water, but I do ocasionally hit bottom. I am getting better with the I/O, as I am used to OB's. My uncle has the identical boat with a mercruiser, and I noticed that his will tilt up farther than mine. He can get almost all of his prop out of the water in the trailer position, where my prop is fully submerged. He is a better operator than I, but I believe the mercruiser is better in shallow water. We both operate in the same area, and he still has the original paint on his prop.

Anyways, I do hit bottom from time to time, but it is always at very low RPM (idle speed or below 1000). I have never hit anything of significant porportion, just every time the aluminum prop comes into contact with even teh smallest single oyster, a dent results. The first time I took the boat out with the new prop, I didn't hit anything, but I took the paint off of the ends of the blades.

I am confident that I will not damage my drive with a stainless because I will continue to be carefull in low water, plus I have gained enough experience operating in low water.

Do you guys think the stainless will give me a better hole shot without taking away RPM's? I was thinking of going to a 19.

I have also heard that just going to a 21 stainless will improve hole shot from 21 aluminum.

Thoughts?

 

[boat1010]

Re: Chosing a stainless prop for my VP SX 3.0

Usually a "SS" prop will improve the top-end of any boat. You need to try to find a friend or someone that will let ya try a different pitch prop befor ya spend the money. BUT if you arn't careful when operating your boat you will ruin any prop you have on your boat. Even at idle speed if you hit something it will nick your prop. And as the other boaters said, running a out of ballance prop will ruin the bearings. I really think stainless steel is the way to go if you are looking for preformance but there ia a BIG cost differance. You said that the first time you went out it took the paint off the prop? You were probably hitting sand and never hit any rocks. Running is shallow water is always bad. If you do that a lot you better stick with the inexpensive alum. prop. Good luck and happy boating.. Hope this helped.

 

[borz170]

Re: Chosing a stainless prop for my VP SX 3.0

Usually a "SS" prop will improve the top-end of any boat. You need to try to find a friend or someone that will let ya try a different pitch prop befor ya spend the money. BUT if you arn't careful when operating your boat you will ruin any prop you have on your boat. Even at idle speed if you hit something it will nick your prop. And as the other boaters said, running a out of ballance prop will ruin the bearings. I really think stainless steel is the way to go if you are looking for preformance but there ia a BIG cost differance. You said that the first time you went out it took the paint off the prop? You were probably hitting sand and never hit any rocks. Running is shallow water is always bad. If you do that a lot you better stick with the inexpensive alum. prop. Good luck and happy boating.. Hope this helped.

Thank you, this did help. I have surely learned a lot from a year of boating with my first I/O. I have learned the boat, and know where the trim indicator should be when the drive is trimmed up in shallow water. I take it up to trailer, then back off for a 3 count. I never run at this tilt over 1000 RPM's, and since doing this, I haven't hit anything. I'm sure I will bang into an ocasional single oyster or something, but like I mentioned earlier, this will ding an aluminum and won't ding the stainless. When I mention this, I am referring to a very minimal hit. I can't continue to hammer and dolly my prop, guessing that it is right. It is vibrating now, and I hope it is because the prop is "fixed", but not right. With that being said, I plan to get a stainless.

The dealer pulled the drive and replaced a gimble/u-Joint (long story). I hope they lined it up right, but based on their "shotty" work history, I'm not confident in them.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Chosing a stainless prop for my VP SX 3.0

Running at extended trim will prematurely wear the universals. Being an outboard guy I don't know how premature.And yes your probably better off
with a SS for light contact.The 21 is intended for speed and won't do well for skiing.Usually the change to stainless will improve overall performance.Rule of thumb dropping 2" will make "about" 400 rpm more and help hole shot.The material and brand change will vary that.Stainless repair is more costly than aluminum.It does appear that careful operation will protect the prop but at what cost to the universals.You might take a look at the Turning point Hustler and Rascal props. They give close to SS performance at AL prices
they use a hub that reduces prop replacement costs and of course the AL is less to repair.