Aluminum vs. SS

[216rinker]

Hey all, first time poster. I have a 2012 Rinker 216 with 5.0 and Alpha 1 drive. My current prop is a 21P Aluminum Black Max. I'm in the correct rpm range at WOT with this prop. Would there be any advantage in going to an entry level SS prop of the same pitch such as the Mercury Vengance? Our boat is used for cruising and some water sports like tubing and water skiing. Thanks for any help, Sean

 

[MikDee]

Re: Aluminum vs. SS

What are you looking for, more speed, more power? Going from an Alum. prop to SS is like going from an Auto car, to a stick shift. There is a more firm, solid, feeling at all speeds. You may pick up some speed if your engine is strong enough, plus some power throughout the rpm range. Also when cruising at one speed, the SS will seem like cruise control, not lose it's grip (less slip then Alum.). It's not exactly a night, & day difference, but it is better all around. You hafta decide if it's worth the extra $ or not? I found a used one for my Force 125hp dirt cheap, that's why I bought one to try.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Aluminum vs. SS

welcome to iboats.


I am not a fan of SS props. maybe in racing boats/high speed bass boats you gain some speed due to lack up flexing from the aluminum but for us normal people, with normal boats, I don't see the benefit from the additional cost. Also, while this has never happened to me, if I hit something hard I want the prop to sacrifice itself over the sterndrive. There are competing opinions on the second part, but I'm sticking to my side.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Aluminum vs. SS

If stainless steel props where the same price as aluminum, you couldn't give away an aluminum prop.....

Stainless is 4WD for boats.

 

[KYsean]

Re: Aluminum vs. SS

What are you looking for, more speed, more power? Going from an Alum. prop to SS is like going from an Auto car, to a stick shift. There is a more firm, solid, feeling at all speeds. You may pick up some speed if your engine is strong enough, plus some power throughout the rpm range. Also when cruising at one speed, the SS will seem like cruise control, not lose it's grip (less slip then Alum.). It's not exactly a night, & day difference, but it is better all around. You hafta decide if it's worth the extra $ or not? I found a used one for my Force 125hp dirt cheap, that's why I bought one to try.

General all around better ride. Nothing drastic.

 

[KYsean]

Re: Aluminum vs. SS

welcome to iboats.


I am not a fan of SS props. maybe in racing boats/high speed bass boats you gain some speed due to lack up flexing from the aluminum but for us normal people, with normal boats, I don't see the benefit from the additional cost. Also, while this has never happened to me, if I hit something hard I want the prop to sacrifice itself over the sterndrive. There are competing opinions on the second part, but I'm sticking to my side.

The newer hubs should break away before any damage to lower unit

 

[jkust]

Re: Aluminum vs. SS

I tend to follow redneck joe's philosophy. As much as I'd like to have an SS prop, every year I damage an aluminum prop given all the lakes we go to. I swear I won't hit bottom and always seem to get surprised at least once a season. They are always slow speed impacts of some sort. Clearly the aluminum is giving way before the hub does its job. I honestly doubt I will see much difference or enough difference to justify the extra money. I've had pretty good experience with Turning Point Hustler Aluminum props to be honest. A bit less top end given my boat should have had the 270hp v8 option and my v6 is working hard but the RPMS are right at 4750 to 4800 anyway. It would be fun to experiment for a day with several props to see if my assumptions are accurate.

 

[KYsean]

I ended up ordering a Mercury Spitfire prop of the same pitch as my Blackmax (recommeded). I'll post results when I get out on the water in a week or so.

 

[Texasmark]

Only way I would run an alum on more than a 50 hp engine would be if I boated where there were rocks and things of the sort below the surface. SS has just proven to me, over the years, time and time again, to be worth the extra bucks. On the new plastic hubs vs the old rubber hubs is that the rubber will hit and reset. You rip the guts out of the plastic and you are dead in the water. Course I don't know what kind of plastic hub one would be running and how much of a whack it would take to "rip the guts out" of it.

Mark

 

[chilltech]

I agree that the al prop could save the drive. That hub is not gonna give in time to save anything considering the prop is clamped on with a 55 lb/ft torque setting.