Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

[MTFishGuy]

I am considering upgrading my original prop with a stainless steel prop, however am currently in a state of sticker shock. Will the performance improvements justify the extra cost over an OEM prop? What are the benefits of a SS prop?<br /><br />Also, my boat (16.5 foot aluminum deep-V with 40 4stroke) originally came with a 13 pitch OEM prop. Merc prop selector recommends 12 pitch SS replacement (for my elevation, etc). Is this normal to go down in pitch with a SS prop? 13 pitch had worked OK except when I went up into the mountains (6500 feet).

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

That's up to you. If you want to go faster and possibly get slightly better gas mileage, then get a SS prop. It will fare better if you hit something, though, there is a possibility of hurting your LU if you hit something since the SS doesn't give like aluminum. Also you should go up in pitch with SS, not down.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

what zmoz said....<br /><br />but ill add....<br /><br />yes, the cost IS worth it, aluminum doesnt shine like stainless does.!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

I think it's Pretty Hard to justify the expense, when starting with a Small Outboard.............<br /><br />No Offense, But unless you've got 100hp or so, You won't see the Performance Pay-Back...........<br /><br />SSteel doesn't Flex like Aluminum, hence the drop in pitch........<br /><br />Get yourself an Aluminum or Plastic prop in the next size smaller pitch for when you're in the Hills.....<br />And use it for your Spare..............<br /><br />Then, take the Money you Save,+ Go Buy a Fishing Pole, Or Reel, Or...................

 

[Boatist]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

If you hit something every year or two and bend the prop better off with the aluminum prop. The stainless will bend less but could twist a shaft or damage a gear.<br /><br />Most stainless steel props are double cupped, that means they get a little better bite on the water and slip less. They are also thinner so they turn a little easier. These two things in my opinion offset each other so you should get the same pitch if your motor is at the proper RPMs and they are both the same diameter.<br /><br />The Stainless Steel may get a very small performance advantage. If it is double cupped you can run your motor about 1 inch higher on the transom and this may gain you a little speed. If your expecting more than 2 MPH increase even if running the motor higher then you are dreaming.<br /><br />I run a Stainless Steal double cupped prop on my 15 HP Johnson. I did raise the motor 1.5 inches. I did not notice any real difference except the prop does not ding at all. I use it on a 14 foot aluminum boat and run a lot of shallow water both duck hunting and frogging. Only difference I notices was running higher motor did not hit as many things and prop just does not get the edge dings I got with the Aluminum prop.<br /><br />Make sure you check the prop prices here as IBoat has had some great deals.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

Don't know what your elevation is were you live but as a rule it takes about 1" less pitch for every 2000ft above sea-level to maintain the same RPM.

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

While we're on the subject... I'm thinking about replacing my current 3-blade SS prop. Then, I'll use it as a back up propeller. I'd like put on a 4-blade SS prop. Does anyone have any idea of what kind of performance changes I could expect if I switch to a 4-blade? I have 16' bass boat with a 115 Merc. Top speed is around 45mph with my current set-up.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

4-blade will allow a higher engine mounting by a little....give you a somewhat quicker hole-shot, but most likely won't gain anything on the top-end...might even drop slightly if the engine is left in current position. If you can get by with raising it somemore without ventilating or losing water pressure, your top speed should be real close to the same, depending on the prop choice.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

Look at the turning point aluminum prop, as they have the same blade design as the SS series. The performance test have shown very little diference between the SS and the Aluminum in Turning point. If you realy want the boat to fly, Use a set of Smart Tabs ST980-40, and a aluminum turning point one pitch up from your current. You will cut your bow rise in half, plane 35% (or better) sooner, improve your payload performance (even at higher altitude) and increase your top speed about 5 MPH. The Smart Tabs and the Prop will run about $300.00. "make the hull more efficient - make the motor perform better".<br /><br />We guarantee the improved performance or your money back. see the guarantee on this site.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

If you're in shock at prices, try propellersonline.com Maybe the prices there won't be so shocking?

 

[MTFishGuy]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

Thanks for the advice. With my small motor, I will probably just get the ding fixed on my OEM prop. However, the savings are probably history as the new Cabela's tackle shop catalog just came and they have some very nice rods and reels in there. LOL.<br /><br />BOAT - a four letter word for "bring out another thousand".

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

Thanks Walleyehed. Sounds like it's not really worth it for me to go to a 4-blade then. Everything runs well with my current prop, just was looking for a way to boost the top end speed.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

BassCat73, now this all depends on what you are willing to try if you're looking for more go-fast...If you would give the size prop you have now, how the engine is mounted, such as jackplate, direct to transom, and height of AV plate above hull bottom, we might be able to gain a few more MPH....don't forget to add what manufacture the prop is and what your WOT RPM is....maybe we can do some changes.

 

[swist]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

Unless you are lucky enough to boat in pristine waters with nothing to ever hit your prop, you may find that an Alum prop is just too damn soft. I was getting nicks and bends in mine and never even knew what happened - suspect just running into some small junk in the water.<br /><br />I spent a lot of money on repairing/refurbishing Al props. I got a stainless and have used it in the same waters for 11 years now and it's never been off the boat. <br /><br />I think the transmission of an impact to the lower unit gears is an overrated concern - if you hit something that hard, chances are the same thing will happen with an Al prop. I suspect there are a very narrow range of situations where the stainless prop will cause damage where an Al won't.

 

[BrianFD]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

I went to 4 blade SS. Planes much faster, and at a lower RPM. I use it soley on Lake Michigan. When we inland I use the 3 blade Aluminum, because of the bend issues Bondo refered to.

 

[scuttlebutt]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

I'm agreeing with earlier comments towards the forty horse engine not being worth putting a stainless prop on. Sure it wil help but I'd save for a bigger engine if performance is what you are looking for.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

Thanks Walleyehed. Sounds like it's not really worth it for me to go to a 4-blade then. Everything runs well with my current prop, just was looking for a way to boost the top end speed.

Get a bigger motor If your hull will handle it.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

BassCat, as I said above, I would bet we could maximize the set-up you have now, and add some performance...no special tools needed. I'm sure we can help some.<br />Your call....

 

[middleton1]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Worth the Extra $s?

iboats Megamall still has some SS props at 50% off. They are a great deal. Makes them just a lttle more than an alum. prop.