Props

[champ]

21' WA 150 HP etec

My prop seems more nicked up this year than previous. I am getting it reconditioned but thought about a new one instead for the extra $.

When or how do you know when to replace a prop?

Should I consider ss? Advantages/disadvantages?

Thanks

[Gerry Zagorski]

Stainless props have less flex and for that reason you usually get better perfomance, especially on higher horspower engines that spin bigger props.

The only advantage the aluminum props have over stainless is that they are softer and will bend or tear up if you hit something and you sacrafice the props instead of your lower unit gears.

Having said that both stainless and aluminum props have hubs in them that are supposed to break away if you hit something allowing the prop to spin on the hub. You may have heard someone say I hot something and spun a hub. That's what they are talking about and props can be re hubbed too.

All things considered and with the pretty much sandy bottom we have in our area I would go with stainless. Unless you really whack it you will not end up having to spend the money to recondition it every year.

As far as when to buy a new prop.... You are only forced to buy a new one when you bang one up so bad it can't be fixed.

[Capt. Debbie]

GO WITH SS!!!

On the 3 tow boats( all twin O/B's) we would re-condition the Aluminum props 2 or 3 times a year. We were scared and tried SS in 2007.

We have not reconditioned a sinlge SS prop in two years!! We saved tons of money.

And don't forget the tow boats intentionally run in the crap to get customers of out it. You should be fairing better by running where you should be.