Stainless Steel Prop.

[Frink]

I have a 79 100hp 4 cylinder Johnson with aluminum 14x17 prop. Someone told me that in order to change to a stainless steel prop.; It will have to be 13 3/8 x 17 . Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop.

Most performance V4 3 blade stainless props are 13 1/4 diameter. There are some 13 3/8 and 13 7/8 OMC (Bombardier) props. What kind of boat do you have? What kind of RPM is possible now? What kind of performance are you looking for?<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Frink]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop.

I have a 18' Blue Fin (1978 model)Aluminum V-hull. I have no tach, so I don't know what RPM's I'm turning at full throttle; but I was happy with the performance I was getting out of the old aluminum prop. that came with the boat. The problem is that the aluminum prop got beat to hell this past weekend in Homosassa. I want a prop that will last if I occasionally make a mistake.

 

[DJ]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop.

The stainless might take a beating better but your gearcase won't. The SS props don't have as much GIVE and something is going to break.<br /><br />If you frequent places that tear up props, stick with AL and buy a couple.

 

[Frink]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop.

Yeah, perhaps you're right. An aluminum prop is a lot cheaper and easier to do than repairing gear damage. Point taken.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop.

The SS props also have rubber hubs in them just like the alum props. We also run in shallow water here and it's generally not a problem unless you hit REAL hard. <br /><br />I was with a buddy when he hit hard enough to shear off the nut on the bottom of the steering arm assembly. We put in a new steering arm assembly and he was running the next weekend. But he does believe me about the channel being 20 yards to the right now!<br /><br />Good luck!