OMC 2.3 Prop Question Apollo vs Ballistic vs Vortex

[Bulbash]

My boat is 1989 Bayliner Capri 17' with OMC 2.3 i/o engine. I was using aluminum Michigan Wheel Marine Vortex XHS 13 1/2 x 15p prop for the past few years with a great success. However it got damaged and needs replacing. Currently I have access for a very good pricing for any Michigan Wheel Marine props and selection as follows:

1.Vortex XHS 13 1/2 x 15p - Aluminum prop, gives me a good performance with water sports and top speed of 35mph @ 5600rpm
2. Apollo XHS 13 3/8 x 15p - SS prop
3. Ballistic 13 5/8 x 15p SS prop

Which one would you go with and why?

Personally I never had any experience with SS props, do they worth it? If aluminum will cost me less than $100 vs SS around $300, would there be any performance gain?

Also, what is the difference between Apollo and Ballistic?

Thank you for your help

 

[alldodge]

With a 2.3L you not putting out enough torque to cause much if any flex in the prop. SS props are thinner and don't flex as much under heavy torque load. You stated of having great success with current prop prior to damage, I would stick with what you have. The other props have a larger diameter, and that will cause an increase load and may require reducing pitch to achieve same results or modifying the new prop with a slight cup

 

[Texasmark]

Best bet is to run em then use the best performer to suit your fancy. Prop shops will usually let you try before you buy if you bring it back like you got it.

SS doesn't flex.

SS is the ultimate prop in my opinion unless you boat in rocks. I quit using alum for the most part (had about 25 rigs over the years some had them...smaller ones) back in 1973 when OMC came out with their SST...happened to have an OMC engine at the time.

Back to rocks.... that case you want something that'll bend or break before you do any damage to your drive train, so alum is the better prop for me in that situation. Lake Austin, in Austin, TX. was a case in point.

However one reason I was thrilled to have the SST debuit was that I couldn't go on an outing (lakes in the Dallas area, no rocks) with that 125 Johnson that got the SST, without dinging up an alum prop on most anything. The SST solved those problems.....SST stands for Stainless Steel (black) Teflon coated.....OMC coated theirs.....after the fact it seems theirs had less nickel in the mix, more carbon steel, and they corroded (rusted) more than the Merc props of the day so they coated them and if you stayed out of sandy, shallow water it was the perfect coating. Nowadays most all have an adequate supply to prevent corrosion.

 

[Bulbash]

I will give a try to Ballistic, if I won't get any gain I will switch back to the aluminum Vortex. Thank you for the advice