These days with my current set up, I only run expensive SS props. But with my previous boat with a small 4.3 liter, I had about 6 TP Hustlers. The are cupped and they did rob me of a some RPM's and a few top end mph's over non cupped alum props of the same pitch that I had. I didn't like that the edges of the TP Hustlers chipped easier than other brand props I owned even in a little bit of sand that you wouldn't expect would do much of anything. TPs were cheap.
Also, keep in mind that the Mercruiser Outdrives have a system that will allow the drive to tip up when you strike something big if you are going fast enough then they will fall right back down into position after you pass the submerged object. So the prop has a hub that will take some of the blow (questionable it's value and that all props don't have this anyway), the lower unit has a skeg to protect some, the outrive has a submerged object strike mitigation system in it. My old 4.3 liter was a little overmatched by the dry weight of the boat so for me, even the slight cupping on the TP meant less top end speed though decent hole shot but could accept more trim.
