Stainless Steel Prop

Dustin, stainless steel is much stronger than aluminum. But it's also much heavier. Line of thought is if you hit something with your prop, you would rather have the prop break, than your driveshaft, so aluminum is better in that case. However, you can still suffer shaft damage with an aluminum prop hit. I've heard some say that they feel the SS performs better. I have not witnessed that on either my CD-22, or on my prior Searay 268 Sundancer. (26' heavy cabin cruiser). Aluminum is cheaper and easier to repair. SS maintains it's shape better. As far as my experience goes, the only advantage I've seen to SS, is it's strength. But I've never had a problem with Aluminum's performance, and I prefer it's weight and cost advantages. Colby
 
DuckDogTitus":31kggun4 said:
colbysmith":31kggun4 said:
I run in Lake Michigan also, but still prefer the aluminum... :-)
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I'm a neophyte to this, what is the benefit to aluminum over stainless?
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I have run both--currently aluminum on the 22 and SS on the Caracal. The SS will not scar up and often does not show dings which the Al will show--especially running in sandy or muddy waters.

If you hit something really big/unmovable the aluminum will also bend the prop shaft or even damage the gears--so there is no guarantee that an al prop will protect the shaft--but in general it is believed to do that.

The SS prop does not deflect or "bend" as much under load. The SS prop will often be faster--but that depends on the boat, load and many other conditions, including the design of the prop. The SS can be made with thinner blades--and thus less resistance--especially in a high speed or racing boat.

I am going to make a generalization--and that can be "dangerous"--but generally the more specialized props are SS, and the stock props are Al. For example I don't need anything special on the 2, but the Caracal, being a single engine cat--needs some special requirements--more cup, 4 blades, and a bit more rake than stock aluminum props provide.
 
We normally have a stainless prop on as we tend to be in shallow areas sometimes that get shoaled up with sand and mud i.e. New Jersey and Florida. When we travel to rocky areas like Maine we put on the aluminum prop.
D.D.
 
Ive run both SS and aluminum, but prefer aluminum now. The weight difference is really substantial on the ones Ive compared.

When docking with a heavy stainless prop I was concerned about going from forward to reverse too quickly, not letting the prop slow down enough. My theory was the extra weight had alot more momentum and could damage the lower unit. I have no idea if that is true or not as the lower unit was never damaged. I guess its a good idea to be concious of that with either type of prop, although thats not on my mind when im white knuckling the helm in a more challenging docking situation.


A big advantage I found with aluminum props is if you damage them in the field, you can fix them easy with a hammer, some J.B. weld and sandpaper if its not chewed up too bad. On the other hand, a stainless prop may not show any damage from the same mistake made in the boat.
 
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