Is a stainless steel prop worth it?

Asked by: Gloria Moore

While aluminum props are “slippy” and prone to cavitation/ventilation, especially when trimmed up a bit. Stainless props hold the water very well… less slip means more efficiency which might add a mile an hour to your top speed. What you notice isn’t the speed, it’s the solid and positive handling.

Do stainless steel props make a difference?

The properties of stainless steel result in a propeller that offers more performance and more durability than an aluminum prop. Stainless steel has five times more stress tolerance than aluminum, which means the blades of a stainless steel prop can be much thinner than those of even a Mercalloy® aluminum prop.

Is a SS prop worth it?

Stainless steel propellers provide better mileage than aluminum propellers, possibly more than a composite, depending on blade foil design. The stainless steel propeller provides more speed, but in this horsepower/size/RPM range, only 2 – 3 MPH more. Stainless is tougher, no doubt about it.

What are advantages to a stainless steel boat prop?

Advantages of a Stainless Steel Propeller



Stainless steel propellers are very durable and last longer. The blades are thinner, which reduces drag. You have more design choices, so you can find the prop that works best with a particular type of boat. The blades won’t flex at high speeds.

Will a stainless steel prop increase hole shot?

Since stainless steel has increased strength of that of aluminum, stainless will hold its geometry under load conditions resulting in increased performance over aluminum. Most all stainless steel propellers are manufactured with cup, resulting in superior hole-shot performance as well as cavitation control.

Are stainless steel props more efficient?

stainless props are not necessarily faster and speed isn’t the most significant reason to run one. The best feature of a stainless steel prop is the way it enhances the handling characteristics of your boat. Note that there are many different special applications for trick SS prop designs.

Is 3 or 4 blade prop better?

3 or 4 Blades? A 3 blade propeller usually offers top speed performance while a 4 blade propeller provides maximum thrust and smooth cruising operation. Four blades have some features of their own, though. They often provide more lift at the stern which will help accelerate the hull, especially if it is stern heavy.

Are stainless props faster than aluminum?

And they tend not to have as much cup in the propeller blade. So they don't hold in a tight. Turn quite as well as a stainless steel prop will. So you do from time to time in an aluminum propeller get

How much difference does a new prop make?

Increasing the pitch will decrease engine rpms and decreasing the pitch will increase engine rpms. As a general rule, a two-inch increase in pitch will result in a reduction of 300 to 400 rpm. Conversely, a two-inch decrease in pitch will result in an increase of 300 to 400 rpm.

What’s the advantage of a 4 blade prop?

Reasons for 4 Blades



The increased blade area afforded by the addition of the fourth blade can provide increased water displacement capability, lift, and grip, as compared to a 3-blade propeller. In terms of actual boat performance, these characteristics can combine to enhance: Handling. Hole Shot.

What propeller is best for speed?

If you’re looking for quicker acceleration, superior top speed, or better overall performance, you should consider a stainless steel propeller.

What pitch prop gives more speed?

The lower the prop pitch, the better your hole-shot. However, this comes at a price: top speed. The lower pitch makes the engine reach maximum rpm at slower speeds. Conversely, a higher pitch will deliver greater top speeds, but slower acceleration.

What is the best prop for a 135 hp Mercury?

Black Max. The three-blade aluminum Black Max is the best-selling propeller in the world. It’s standard-issue from boatbuilders paired with the MerCruiser Alpha sterndrive and outboards up to about 135 hp.

What pitch is best for my boat?

A lower pitched propeller will create more power due to more engine RPMs, but the boat will move slower. A higher pitched prop allows the boat to move faster by travelling a farther distance with each rotation. When choosing a propeller, choose a pitch that will keep the engine RPM in its recommended operating range.

What is the fastest Mercury prop?

Fury® 4

Fury® 4. The new Fury 4 propeller is the fastest offering from Mercury Propellers for the angler running heavily weighted tournament load boats.