Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Prop Question

I’m trying to decide whether I should get a stainless steel or aluminum prop for a 115 hp four stroke that will go on a Lund Explorer 1700. The boat is rated for a 125 hp motor.

I’ve heard some people say the aluminum prop will help protect the lower unit in the event that you smack it into rocks but I think others have said that the rubber hub in the prop will protect the lower unit anyways so it doesn’t really matter.

The stainless steel prop will cost an extra $300 but if it will provide better performance without a significant increase in risk to the lower unit, I might buy it. Also, how big of performance increase should I expect from the stainless prop?

Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks,

Boone

I good SS prop makes alot of differnce in performance, I have heard the same thing about lower unit damage.

If you drive without any regard to depth I would say no, But a SS does resist small dings better than Aluminum

Boone, I would always go SS given the opportunity. Aluminum tends to flex, and over a period of time will degrade performance-wise. SS retains its form, and does not flex. It will provide you years of reliable performance.

SS is the only way to go

Stainless steel for this guy. I used to run aluminum props and had them in the shop CONSTANTLY for dings and bent blades caused by impacts with small branches and other floating crud that a SS prop chews up without damage.

As far as for lower unit damage caused by a prop VS. log, etc., etc. impact… I’ve NEVER seen or heard of one. Any time I’ve ever heard of a lower unit being damaged by impact it was a direct hit to the lower unit itself that caused the damage and not some hit that was transfered from the prop to the gears.

I have heard of a good number of “spun hubs” following a prop strike when there was no lower unit damage… so the rubber pressed in hubs that bind the blades of a prop to the splined shaft inside the prop must work pretty well.

Cjeck out iboats.com. Earlier this year I bought a SS prop new for around $150.

I would also go SS anytime you can. There is a lot of unfounded fears about hitting things SS props and destroying lower units. That is not the case as James stated above. I have hit things pretty hard on occassion with my SS props over the years and have never had a lower unit damaged. It sure beats having to constantly buy new or repair aluminum props.

You can check on ebay. I picked up a stainless for 80$, it was like new.

Stainless it will be! I also used the “search” function and past posts were also strongly in favor of stainless.
(Great website feature James!)

Thanks again for everyones input. There’s really a lot of things to decide when you buy a new boat. My next question will probably be related to the electronics. I’m just starting to thing about that equipment.

Boone