Stainless vs Aluminum

[colofiremedic]

Which is better and why. I am in the process of looking for a new prop for my boat. I already know the pitch that I need but have been doing some research and don't really understand the difference between Stainless and Aluminum. Can anyone help

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

Stainless is tougher and will hold a shape better. Merc claims that their new aluminum prop is just as tough and will hold a shape but for the cost of it you might as well get the ss prop.

 

[colofiremedic]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

probably does'nt make a lot of sense to put a stainless prop on an 88 HP motor though does it? i have an aluminum prop already and it seems to do fine performance wise. I have a pontoon boat and am not looking for high end performance from a prop. I did'nt know if the difference was huge or not. thanks for the reply.

 

[hitace]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

stainless prop will last much longer and will give you better top end speed(usally not much more ) this is because there is less slipage in the water with ss props also there much stronger which isnt always a good thing if you hit something these props usally wont break and the damage will be done to your outboard with a aluminum prop if you hit something it will just break and the outboard is less likely to have damge.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

Stainless props are for speedboats. They are a wate of money on a toon.

 

[2johnson]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

the stainless is stronger and gives you better top end but, as it is harder you may have a better chance at damaging the lower end if you hit somthing.

 

[colofiremedic]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

Thanks for all of the input. I think I am going to stick with an aluminum prop. It just makes more sense. I appriciate all of the help.

Happy Boating!!!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

My experience with props was that in the lower hp engines, 40 hp and down, alum was fine. At the higher hp's it was too easy to bend a blade or nock a chunk out of it by hitting little of nothing it seemed.

No doubt that performance for me was significantly enhanced with SS even when considering some of the higher performance alum's of today (Hustler for one).

I think if I were operating in an area where big rocks were known to exist, or places where strong debris existed (water logged trees excepted), I'd use alum, regardless of lower performance, to protect my lower unit.

Otherwise it's SS for me.

Agree on alum for a toon.

Mark

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

Stainless steel prop blades can be made thinner than aluminum props for the same or increased strength. Because of this, the stainless steel props have less drag and are more efficient.

When I used to boat in the Northwest, aluminum props would get destroyed by something as little as a 1 inch round branch. Stainless props would not be hurt at all.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

A lot of times the ss blades will indeed be the prop of choice for a pontoon. Props on pontoons can vent a lot with all the disturbed water back there. The motor will constantly load and unload which can cause major damage over time. The ss props can and will hold a complex shape so they stay "hooked up" better. That creates more of an even load on the motor.

 

[colofiremedic]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

So now I'm extremely confused. Where I generally boat there tends to be a lot of debris in the water in late spring and early summer. Stainless sounds like a good option but the cost is as you all know... expensive to say the least. I do like the idea of less drag on the boat and the risk of breaking a prop on small debris in the water being diminshed but, I do carry a spare prop. Are there going to be enough performance differences in the boat overall to warrant a SS prop?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

Are there going to be enough performance differences in the boat overall to warrant a SS prop?

I would say "no" in your application. It would be just for the debris protection.

Also realize that since the prop is tougher, if you hit something fairly large, it does put more strain on your driveline.

 

[colofiremedic]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

Thanks. I found a dealer that will let me try a couple of different props prior to purchasing. I am going to try them both a 15 and 13 pitch to see which one is going to work best for my application. I am going to stick with an Alum. prop due to the waters that I am in and the possibility of large debris. Thank you for all the help.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

Bruce,

Funny you mention a 1" round branch. I had a '72 125 Johnny. Had just gotten an alum prop back from the shop. We were idling in some twigs and I hear this thump. Lifted the engine and one of the blades was bent. I investigated the area and there was nothing bigger than 1" around.

That did it. Went out and spent $185 (in '72 dollars) for an OMC black teflon coated SS with a brass/bronze diffusor ring . Never had another problem and never bought another prop.

Mark

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Stainless vs Aluminum

Mr Hadley,

Is this problem more pronounced on larger toons with smaller engines?

Mark