Stainless VS Aluminum Props

[rrhodes]

So, I am just curious and wanted you take on this. I am very happy with my Turning Point Prop but I am also wondering what I could expect from Changing to the Turning Point Stainless Prop. They use the same hub. If I decided to play with this would my RPM's increase or decrease if I kept the same size and pitch? Does my current Aluminum Prop Flex pushing my 25' Toon around with the 115hp Honda...?

Would I see any increase in speed?

If it would give me 1mph I would actually pull the trigger since I top out at 29mph and would love to see 30.. LOL I know my wife will ask what I want for father's day and I may just get a prop.

[spurhunter]

Yup, you might get that extra 1mph, but thats a lot of money for it. The other down-side is that if you ever strike something in the water with a STS prop, your lower is probably toast. Hit it with aluminum and the prop will give way, and most times save your lower. Lower units run anywhere from $300-$5000 depending on how bad, adn what size, brand etc.

[jimrs]

Yup, you might get that extra 1mph, but thats a lot of money for it. The other down-side is that if you ever strike something in the water with a STS prop, your lower is probably toast. Hit it with aluminum and the prop will give way, and most times save your lower. Lower units run anywhere from $300-$5000 depending on how bad, adn what size, brand etc.

This has been covered before, Old wives tale. Neither will toast your lower unit unless it get toasted by what you hit.

[rrhodes]

I am going to knock on wood after I post this, I only hit bottom once with my last boat and that was due to the lake levels being low. Since I have owned my new Toon (4th) season I haven't even scratched the paint on the prop. Lake Murray is a deep water lake and if I ever take her to unknown waters I will put the aluminum prop back on.

I called Turning Point and they said my RPMs will stay the same and I should see a light increase in speed. I won't blow money on it but if the wifes asks the Father's Day question I may give it a try.

[rsmith]

We put a mercury enertia prop on our boat last season. I'm happy with it compared to the aluminum prop we started with. Turning slightly slower RPMs than the aluminum prop, but getting several more MPH out of the boat and that's also comparing a empty (low and no gear onboard) with the aluminum prop to a fully loaded out boat with the inertia prop. The kicker, the enertia prop was expensive.

I run a 200hp Mercury Verado, not sure what you would see from your boat and motor. And we run our boat a 5500ft elevation as well.

[captainjack]

With the right prop u could get maybe 2mph but your not gonna find a hole lot more than that down there!lol

[rrhodes]

Like I said before, I just want to break the 30mph barrier.. I can get 29.0mph now lol....

I won't do it unless it is a gift... Not worth the money but if she offers to buy be something I will pull the trigger.

[The_Hellbilly]

Rick, I just skimmed your thread briefly, so forgive me if you posted this, but what is current prop and what are your RPM's WOT?

[Towdaddy]

I have an Enertia as well. I always run Stainless. Grew up on stump infested Southern lakes and my Dad switched to SS as soon as they came out. While I am careful when driving, I hate replacing props.

I do agree that any speed increase would be small and it may be difficult to justify one. Of course, the best justification is "I want one!".

[Ron Burgundy]

Like I said before, I just want to break the 30mph barrier.. I can get 29.0mph now lol....

That is like a fat chick saying she just wants to get under the 200lb mark.

[margaritaman]

[rrhodes]

Rick, I just skimmed your thread briefly, so forgive me if you posted this, but what is current prop and what are your RPM's WOT?

5900

[WaltF]

Yup, you might get that extra 1mph, but thats a lot of money for it. The other down-side is that if you ever strike something in the water with a STS prop, your lower is probably toast. Hit it with aluminum and the prop will give way, and most times save your lower. Lower units run anywhere from $300-$5000 depending on how bad, adn what size, brand etc.

This has been covered before, Old wives tale. Neither will toast your lower unit unless it get toasted by what you hit.

You should prob email all the folks who have hit stuff with their SS prop and wrecked their lower unit and tell them its an Old wives tale....



p.s. before you say PROVE IT, ill just start with Overton's http://www.overtons.com/props/propeller_info.shtml

Material —We offer propellers made of composite, aluminum, and stainless steel. Composite props offer good performance, are durable, and inexpensive. They also offer some protection for your lower unit during a prop strike. Aluminum props are the most common and are suitable for the widest range of applications since there are so many models and styles available. Stainless steel props offer the highest performance and best durability.

Im sure there are THOUSANDS of others....
Im not saying SS props arnt a good idea.
As i mentioned before, there are plus's and minus's to both and hitting stuff is one of them...
Price alone keeps me from getting one...

p.s.s. Ron, that was funny...

[badmoonrising]

Yep one of the things my appraiser said was lucky it was an aluminum prop...it got chunks taken out of it yet the shaft is straight as an arrow. Doesn't matter to me since they are replacing the gearcase.

I was in OBX a few years ago and our neighbor had a Mako CC with a big Yamaha w/ ss prop on the back. He hit an oyster bar and bent the prop shaft. Aluminum would have just come apart.

[Ron Burgundy]

I heard somewhere that there ae SS props that have some sort of "break away" center bushing that will give way before bending the shaft. I've never seen one, but it seems like a good idea.