Stainless Steel Props
- Thread starter Tom K
- Start date
Pete McMiller
Well-known member
Andrew,
YES, they're a ton more rugged and they are more expensive than aluminum. I went to one last year for my 30 HP Evinrude. Where I hunt I usually don't have to worry too much about rocks but there submerged stumps everywhere. Every year I'd have to put on a new aluminum prop and then hope that it lasted for the whole season. My SS made it through last season without a problem.
I've had a SS prop on my Lund with a 115 hp on it since it was new in 1995. I would never go back to aluminum for that rig.
The detractors will say that you risk damaging your drive shaft because the SS won't 'give' like the aluminum but I have yet to talk to anyone that it has happened to.
YES, they're a ton more rugged and they are more expensive than aluminum. I went to one last year for my 30 HP Evinrude. Where I hunt I usually don't have to worry too much about rocks but there submerged stumps everywhere. Every year I'd have to put on a new aluminum prop and then hope that it lasted for the whole season. My SS made it through last season without a problem.
I've had a SS prop on my Lund with a 115 hp on it since it was new in 1995. I would never go back to aluminum for that rig.
The detractors will say that you risk damaging your drive shaft because the SS won't 'give' like the aluminum but I have yet to talk to anyone that it has happened to.
Jeremy Mercer
Member
Andrew
I have a etec 150 for my duckboat. I have a 2 SS props one for hunting and one for fishing(backup hunting prop). I have bought my SS props thru ebay, instead of paying full price. That way you can get it cheaper incase you don't like it.
I have a etec 150 for my duckboat. I have a 2 SS props one for hunting and one for fishing(backup hunting prop). I have bought my SS props thru ebay, instead of paying full price. That way you can get it cheaper incase you don't like it.
The detractors will say that you risk damaging your drive shaft because the SS won't 'give' like the aluminum but I have yet to talk to anyone that it has happened to. [/QUOTE]
Hey Pete, this actually happened to Eric a few years ago. He was so proud of his new prop til he bent his drive shaft, I think he went back to aluminum.
Pete McMiller
Well-known member
Well then the prop has all the bad mojo out of it 'cause I bought it from Eric. hahaha Yep, I know it's a possiblility but it just feels so nice running stainless in the wood. Now, if I was running in rocks all the time I'd probably opt to run Al.
George Goodsell
Active member
Hey Pete,
Back in the old days of tournament fishing, the prop shaft on my 135 Merc would get straightened 3 to 4 times before the mechanic would order a new one. Those were for the most part small thumps, .015 to .050 out of round. Two years ago I found a new rock pile with the 40 hp Honda, that one was hard!!! Curled two blades and took the bottom of the skeg off. The end of the shaft swung about .140 out. Needless to say that was an idle home. Insurance Co paid about $1200 for that fix. Two things us river folk know (insert "know it all" sniff)... if you run stainless, you're gonna do damage to more than the prop, and ask you're insurance agent about "under water obstruction coverage" The question, stainless or aluminum... STAINLESS!!!!!
George
Back in the old days of tournament fishing, the prop shaft on my 135 Merc would get straightened 3 to 4 times before the mechanic would order a new one. Those were for the most part small thumps, .015 to .050 out of round. Two years ago I found a new rock pile with the 40 hp Honda, that one was hard!!! Curled two blades and took the bottom of the skeg off. The end of the shaft swung about .140 out. Needless to say that was an idle home. Insurance Co paid about $1200 for that fix. Two things us river folk know (insert "know it all" sniff)... if you run stainless, you're gonna do damage to more than the prop, and ask you're insurance agent about "under water obstruction coverage" The question, stainless or aluminum... STAINLESS!!!!!
George
Pete McMiller
Well-known member
I suppose my turn's coming one of these years but remember, compared to you river rats, I'm just a landlubber. I've seen the way some of the locals run the river so I'm not suprised they need to get stuff straightened all the time. I'm sure they know their way around but I've seen them run wide open in areas I positively know is full of stumps. I guess I run a little bit more tentative. Though two years ago right around T-giving I gave an immovable stump a run for it's money - unfortunately it cost me $400 to get my motor fixed.
Brian Miller
Active member
Since we are on the subject ive been lookin for a ss prop for my 15 johnson does anybody know where i can get one? cant find one anywhere.
Brian
Brian
Jeff Frechette
Active member
You can also count me in as one.
Hit a reef and bent the SS prop and shaft, lesson learned!
I use aluminum now for the duck boat and resign myself to the fact I'll be getting the prop fixed every year. A $60 aluminum prop refurbishment is much better than the ss prop & shaft repair bill by far.
Phil Nowack
Well-known member
1000% disagree that if you run the river with SS you will eventually cause more damage...
If you run the Mississippi with an aluminim prop... I think you are a fool... The sediment along coming down the river will shave down an aluminum prop in no time.
If you run the Mississippi with an aluminim prop... I think you are a fool... The sediment along coming down the river will shave down an aluminum prop in no time.