Is a stainless prop worth the money?

[BJM]

I have a 19'Regal with a Mariner 115 O/B. I use a 19" pitch prop and the boat will just do 42-43 mph with the engine at 5400 RPM. I have been told that a stainless prop will get me out of the hole faster and add a little top end. If the aluminum prop is flexing down to an effectively lower pitch while starting, I would have thought the stainless prop would bog the motor more. At the top end I thought the same thing would happen, allow a little more speed by maintaining a higher effective pitch.<br /><br />Any experts out there who know?<br /><br />TI***

 

[Down South]

Re: Is a stainless prop worth the money?

I'm not an expert but a stainless prop may help your hole shot too. There is some info at this link.<br /><br /> http://www.boat-props.com/prop_characteristics.html#5 <br /><br />Good luck

 

[AndyL]

Re: Is a stainless prop worth the money?

Just a thought,, A lot of stainless props are one piece design ie without the rubber cushion drive found in the standard ally prop. If you hit anything hard it can impose a lot harder effect to the gear box as there is no "give" or safety factor built in. I changed back when I saw the damage that could be done.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Is a stainless prop worth the money?

Say what? If the alu prop has a rubber hub so does the equal SS. Special SS props does not, but those are for racing only.<br /><br />If a stainless is worth the price? To some it is, to others it is not. If you are an average boater, not much into rpm and performance, an alu prop will do just fine. If you want performance, it has a price. Just like performance cars, the last few % has a high price.<br /><br />A stainless WILL outperform alu, but if you expect to gain a HUGE improvement, you'll most likely be disappointed. Stainless are often chosen by those who want the very best or those who detect a propblem with the alu. prop.<br /><br />If you like to play with trim and motor mount height, the better grip of a stainless may be interesting. Again, it's about the last few %'s. Or about solving a problem.<br /><br />It is true, that stainless are much stronger. So in cases where alu. suffers (and your gears survive), a stainless may withstand and transfer the stress to the gears etc.

 

[Merc Man1635]

Re: Is a stainless prop worth the money?

UU said it all in the last few lines...although stainless steel may add to out of the hole and top end speed...even just barely tipping a log, rock or stump could ruin the lower unit...i would sacrafice a few miles an hour for the lower unit of my motor in a heartbeat!!!

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Is a stainless prop worth the money?

In addition to the greater performance, etc. above. The are two distinct advantages. The first is they look better and the second is that every little twig you hit in the water wont leave nicks in the peop. For this and the above reasons I prefer SS. Use your depth finder to find bottom; not the prop. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

 

[BJM]

Re: Is a stainless prop worth the money?

My lake is very easy to navigate and there is nothing to hit the prop on. My aluminum prop looks like new after 3 years so I am not really worried about damage. I can always swap to aluminum in unknown waters. <br /><br />I mostly pull tubes and skiers so faster out of the hole is quite useful to me. Is the hole shot performance difference significant?