Stainless vs. Aluminum (fresh water/BI outdrives)

[wakerider09]

Afternoon all,

I am very close to pulling the trigger on a 2000 290 Sea Ray Sundancer with 5.7l EFI Merc's... the boat currently has aluminum props (not sure of the pitch, rake etc.). My understanding is that a boat of this size, with such HP should ideally have stainless to increase overall performance in general.

Provided the boat is propped right, will a stainless make that much difference in performance ie., top speed, hole shot and GPH provided specs were the same for each?

Any advice and or thoughts on this would be appreciated - I'm just not sure if I should prioritize my spend on props right off that bat.

Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Stainless vs. Aluminum (fresh water/BI outdrives)

if you boat in skinny water and may hit bottom, get aluminum and save the drive. if you boat in blue water and have never banged your prop, get stainless.

Stainless does make a difference.

 

[wakerider09]

Re: Stainless vs. Aluminum (fresh water/BI outdrives)

if you boat in skinny water and may hit bottom, get aluminum and save the drive. if you boat in blue water and have never banged your prop, get stainless.

Stainless does make a difference.

Sorry, I meant to say they are BII outdrives...

 

[MikDee]

Re: Stainless vs. Aluminum (fresh water/BI outdrives)

I say run the boat for while. SS props are expensive, and not really a necessity. If the right pitch aluminum props are on it, and they probably are, save your money for now, in case something more important comes up. There's not that much difference between SS, & Alum. props. Not like night, & day, but they will be a bit better all around. You hafta make very sure you get the right pitch, I don't think you'll be changing them often on a boat that big. Usually you hafta drop down to the next less pitch # when you make the switch, because they are heavier, and more rigid (no give, or flex) like Aluminum. You need to find out if your engines are reaching the required WOT specs, or not? If not, then don't do this, as they won't help.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Stainless vs. Aluminum (fresh water/BI outdrives)

Afternoon all,

Provided the boat is propped right, will a stainless make that much difference in performance?

Thanks.

Not on that boat.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Stainless vs. Aluminum (fresh water/BI outdrives)

Stainless does make a difference.

yep.....and the more HP you put threw them the bigger the difference.

Going from a 3 blade aluminum to 4 blade stainless was day and night on my boat. Ran the 4 blade for a year then sent it to the shop to be "tuned". Very happy with the results

 

[midcarolina]

Re: Stainless vs. Aluminum (fresh water/BI outdrives)

if you boat in skinny water and may hit bottom, get aluminum and save the drive. if you boat in blue water and have never banged your prop, get stainless.

I'm sure achris will be along shortly to totally debunk the aluminum prop saves drives theory.....
Of coarse stainless props are superior in every way.......or people would not drop the extra coin on them.

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: Stainless vs. Aluminum (fresh water/BI outdrives)

I also went from a 3 blade aluminum to a 4 blade stainless and found a huge improvement in the areas I was hoping for. That being hole shot and cruise MPG/GPH. Top end, I probably lost a MPH or two which was expected with the 4 blade. I can't say for sure the improvement was due to the 4 blade of the stainless or a combination of the two,