Aluminum or SS 3 or 4 blade

[flipbro]

My current boat is a 19.5 foot wellcraft elite bowrider with 5.7 260 hp. Im currently running 14x19 pitch at 4800 rpm acorrding to my tach! So i guess my qeustion is would a ss of the same size be better for preformance. Or should i switch to a 4 blade. This Boat is used for cruising great lakes and rivers

 

[flipbro]

Re: Aluminum or SS 3 or 4 blade

So i geuss from what ive read i could change over to a 14x18 pitch 4 blade to keep my rpms up! Will i gain any performance with this!

 

[dazk14]

Re: Aluminum or SS 3 or 4 blade

Please read the "read this first" sticky. It's the 2nd topic of the "Prop topics and questions".
Looks like your rigged pretty well now.

 

[flipbro]

Re: Aluminum or SS 3 or 4 blade

Ok sure thing thought i had most of it covered. I dont really have a performance issue but my old prop is getting a little worn and thought i would up grade to a ss or 4 blade aluminum mabe i could pick up alittle more performance 2 adults and 3 kids on board with gear

 

[flipbro]

Re: Aluminum or SS 3 or 4 blade

SO is there more info needed or is this just a dumb Question lol

 

[MikDee]

Re: Aluminum or SS 3 or 4 blade

IMO, If you put a 19" 3 blade SS prop on, you will lose RPM. They are heavier, & more rigid then aluminum. You probably should drop down to a 17" 3 blade SS to keep the rpm's up, maybe a 17", or 18" SS 4blade would work, it definitely would give you more power out of the hole, & for extra loads, but you may scrub some speed.

A SS prop has more of a solid feel, it feels more stable, and has more thrust at all speeds. It also holds it's speed setting better the aluminum, regardless of sea conditions, it almost feels like cruise control. Each time you hit the throttle, there will be an instant jolt of power, no soggy, or soft feelings like aluminum. The bottom line is, it's more efficient! But, it takes more power to spin it then an aluminum prop.

 

[flipbro]

Re: Aluminum or SS 3 or 4 blade

Thanks alot MikDee. Thats exactly the info in plain english i was looking 4! I dont think hp is a problem with my boat its very lite with a nice strong 5.7 in her. I was hoping to order one off iboats here but want to be sure before i pop on one!

 

[dazk14]

Re: Aluminum or SS 3 or 4 blade

SO is there more info needed or is this just a dumb Question lol

ESSENTIAL DATA REQUIRED
When posting a question about propellers, you cannot get a reasonable answer unless you provide the following information in your post: Items 1-4 are essential for meaningful response to most questions.
1) Performance issue you are trying to correct. Would it help if we asked...more top end, more acceleration, slower planing speed, for a start. Select in order of importance.
2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum.
3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required).
4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load. More importantly,how was it loaded when you got 4800.
5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP
6) Boat make model, year, length and weight (We can get this if you tell us year)

Budget?

Stainless props outperform aluminum primarily because they have much thinner blades, and far more engineering design that produces a very sophisticated geometry, with designs that can be rig and performance characteristic specific.. Proper selection will outperform an Aluminum prop in every way... except cost.

The real world data generally indicates a 1" pitch drop when going from an aluminum to stainless...just to get you started.

More info will get you FAR more replies.