Stainless VS Aluminum Prop Question

[carbineone]

I currently am running a 15 pitch Stainless and am going to replace it with a Standard Aluminum as the Stainless is in bad shape and aluminums are of course much,much cheaper.My question is generally does a aluminum and stainless prop in the same pitch perform the same or is there a big differance between the way the two metals perform.Maybe the weight differance alone in them may cause differant performance?.. Thanks

 

[steelespike]

Re: Stainless VS Aluminum Prop Question

generally a stainless prop will perform better than aluminum but not in every case.
Speed difference could range from a few tenths to a few mph.
There are plenty of aluminum props that perform very well.
Your ss may be able to be repaired though more costly than an al repair.
Turning point Hustler and Rascal props can do very well though their performance can be unpredictable. They may have a return policy.
The Solas Amita props are good I've seen some impressive low and midrange performance improvements with the their 4 blade props.They also resist venting allowing higher motor setting and help eliminate venting and slip issues.
The only weight issues the stainless may impart a little extra wear on the clutch dogs especially if idles are set too high.But I think modern day gearcases hold up better.Of course a high idle will cause clutch dog problems with al as well.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Stainless VS Aluminum Prop Question

If you regularly run in the conditions that damaged your SS prop, don't expect much service life from an aluminum prop. Aluminum props won't take nearly the punishment of a SS prop. Even slight contact with the bottom can take chunks out of aluminum props. Aluminum props are OK on low horsepower motors, but I've had poor luck with them on larger motors.

 

[carbineone]

Re: Stainless VS Aluminum Prop Question

Well the stainless one is actually borrowed from my brother and it was on a big river boat and is not very good anymore..I do not run anywhere that I should hit anything so aluminum should be fine for my use..Just was curiuos if I buy a aluminum one in the same pitch if I can expect app. the same performance from the aluminum.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Stainless VS Aluminum Prop Question

Well the stainless one is actually borrowed from my brother and it was on a big river boat and is not very good anymore..I do not run anywhere that I should hit anything so aluminum should be fine for my use..Just was curiuos if I buy a aluminum one in the same pitch if I can expect app. the same performance from the aluminum.

no your performance will change a little at least.

you would proably see a large drop in WOT if you went with a 15 pitch aluminum...

I was running 5400 with an aluminum 17 pitch prop, and went to a SS 15 pitch prop, similar design as far as i could tell both 3 blade..

and my WOT rpms went to 6200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if it was aluminum I would have guessed the rpms would rise to about 5600-5700.... the SS material accounted for other increase in rpms...less flex

but I hit the prop twcie at less than 1/4 throttle and I bent my prop shaft more than an inch out...and twisted the splines almost a whole tooth!!!!

I sure could have afforded several spare aluminum props and had money left over for the cost of repairing the lower unit!!!

no more SS for me

if you like the shallows and many guys do..especially inshore fishermen....be carefull of the damage a ss prop can do to your motor

good luck

bob