Stainless prop

[Rich Novak]

Why are stainless props better than aluminum.

 

[Scott Danforth]

because they dont flex under load at high RPM and can take minor impacts without dinging/bending/etc

 

[jimmbo]

The flexing is less than 1/100" on a 20+" prop, not noticeable, but has sold millions of SS by that sheer marketing genius.
SS props can be more durable since the metal is stronger, but the weight goes up too, and will lead to higher wear on some shift mechanisms when the operator eases it into gear. Being stronger the blades of a stainless can be made thinner and thus have better efficiency. But as there is no free ride, the stronger material will also pass the stain of impacts to the propshaft, the drive gears, and again the shift mechanism, often damaging them. Al props are in a sense, a sacrificial lamb, to protect the rest of the drive train. SS also is more resistive to Cavitation burn, whereas AL props show the scars of it quickly
Myself I use SS, Enteria and Raker are my choices, but it has cost me a propshaft. I know some will say the propshafts can be straightened, I am not one of those

 

[Rich Novak]

Ok thanks for the great response, very informative.
My 88 Pachanga came with a ss but due to cost of replacement or even getting it serviced I am going to replace it with aluminum.

Another question .

Hub kits,
Do most props use them now .
I have a 1988 19 ft.
Pachanga 4.3 lx 205 HP
14.5 x 23 as prop.
Mercruiser sterndrive.
Thanks, Rich

 

[tpenfield]

Why are stainless props better than aluminum.

Because, that's why . . .

It depends on better for what . . . Smaller boats with mid-sized engines do fine with aluminum. Bigger boats/ more powerful engine will want stainless steel. The blades on stainless steel props can be made thinner due to the difference in material strength vs. aluminum.

I'm sure you can Google a bunch more info and folklore. I've only run stainless on my boats, but the engines were all 300+ HP. . . .

 

[Chris1956]

I disagree with some points (not all) made by the other posters.

IMO, SS props can be better than aluminum props, but it depends mostly on the design of the prop, not the material it is made from. SS is much stronger than AL, so it allows for more radical prop designs. These can give higher performance than aluminum props.

Alternatively, props like Turning Point Hustler (aluminum) are higher performance than standard Quicksilver or Michigan props. Props like Rapture (Stainless Steel) are probably higher performance than TP Hustler aluminum props, but it is close.

I used a SS prop on my sterndrive, as the bay is shallow and sandy I would drag the bottom most times out of the hole and I would tear up an aluminum prop.

The SS props held up under those conditions, w/o any wear. When I bought a new OB powered boat, I switched to aluminum, since I hardly ever hit bottom.

My .02

 

[ahicks]

Why are stainless props better than aluminum.

I would say they aren't, not always anyway. It's going to be tough to make a good case for running one unless you're playing with some performance capability. With bigger power, and higher speeds they start making sense. Runabouts, small ski boats, most pontoons, save your money in my experience.

 

[Groo]

I was under the impression the added strength allows SS props to have thinner blades for reduced prop drag was the most significant difference.

 

[ahicks]

Nothing wrong with that impression, but you need to temper it with the SS downsides as well. Like cost, and the fact you're much more likely to break something in the drive line when hitting something.