Need new prop on 65 HP Merc OB, 1970's

[whirlypig]

Need help with prop. I destroyed the prop on my 65HP 3cyl,Merc OB on my 16.5'74 Starcraft Bass boat. Am looking to order a new prop, found information in Manual. Have considered a SS replacement, but tend to believe another strike with SS would be more likely to damage lower end, than Aluminum. Am I right on this? :redface:

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need new prop on 65 HP Merc OB, 1970's

Yes,..

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Need new prop on 65 HP Merc OB, 1970's

Well, it depends on what you hit. I boat on a shallow bay with a sand, mud and silt (no rocks) bottom. On my I/O, I was always hitting the bottom and tearing up the aluminum prop. I bought a SS prop and it was strong enough to withstand hitting bottom, with no damage. It was the last prop I needed to buy, versus a new aluminum prop every year.

Of course, if you hit rocks with a SS prop, you could very well damage the LU.