break away hubs??

[vicar101]

Alright i've asked, and searched for the immortal question: Stainless steel vs. aluminum vs. composite props.<br />Of all the people i've asked, it seems stainless is running neck and neck with aluminum (50% swear by aluminum and 50% swear by SS) Will SS really damage my lower unit if I hit something (what about these break away hubs i keep hearing about?) This forum is my last resort ---I cant make up my mind on which prop to get. <br /><br />mercury 115hp<br />16.5' runabout

 

[JB]

Re: break away hubs??

Hi, Vicar.<br /><br />Almost all modern props have a rubber safety hub that will break loose before any damage to your gearcase, etc.<br /><br />Using a SS prop will not cause any more damage than an aluminum or composite prop.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: break away hubs??

Ditto.

 

[vicar101]

Re: break away hubs??

Thanks Guys!!<br /><br />However, if a prop has a break away hub then technically there shouldn't be any damage to the prop itself let alone the lower case. eg. if the prop hits a rock - then the hub should give way before any further damage to the prop.Right???<br /><br />My 1999 Black Max alum. prop has all 3 blades destoyed by hitting a rock

 

[Boomyal]

Re: break away hubs??

WRONG! Hub is soley to protect out drive. Will not prevent tearing or mangling a blade(s) on the prop. They say that stainless can take hits, w/o damage, that would do some small amount of distortion to aluminum blades but that has nothing to do with the hub.

 

[Solittle]

Re: break away hubs??

vicar - Here is the true story on the 50%-50% you mentioned. Quiet - let no one hear this.<br /><br />The 50% who swear by alumnium have never tried SS. And the 50% who swear by SS would never go back to alumnium. Oh - sorry - we shouldn't swear here. Moderators don't like that.

 

[vicar101]

Re: break away hubs??

HAHA thanks SoLittle thats what i needed (I'm going SS)<br /><br />just one more question: is there any difference between <br />quicksilver and mercury props??

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: break away hubs??

Quicksilver are mostly designed for I/O's such as the Mirage props, Mercury props are mostly designed for outboards such as a the Lazer II, but Both brands can be used for I/O and large V6 outboards, The lazer will give you bow lift and The Mirage will lift at the transom which is most commonly used with I/O's due to generally higher stern weight, I have used both Mercury and Quicksiver props on a Alpha one, but they are used for different reasons, holeshot vs speed etc, you need to try several different brands and types if you can find a prop shop that is willing to let you experiment then you narrow down your choice and not buy the wrong prop, My stainless prop is about 750 loonies new that would be a costly mistake if its wrong, try before you buy, I'm lucky I have cousin that owns a prop shop, so I can try anything I see hanging on the wall, I have even tried props of the same pitch and dia. but different brand names and have different results.

 

[shadowdwpp]

Re: break away hubs??

which would be better<br />attwood ballistic<br />MW rapture<br />turning point Express<br />or<br />is it possible to use a L&S torque shift prop<br />on a 3.0 OMC 130 HP

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: break away hubs??

Almost all modern props have a rubber safety hub that will break loose before any damage to your gearcase, etc.<br />

"NOTHING" will protect your propeller, or gearcase 100%. I was backing (in reverse) away from shore, and bumped a tire caseing that was floating just under the surface, because of air that was trpped in it. I was not going fast, gunned it only enough to counteract the wind and wave action, to get off the shoreline. It bent the prop, broke loose the safety hub, and destroyed the gearcase (never had these problems with the old shear pins, as they stopped the prop "NOW").

 

[rodbolt]

Re: break away hubs??

Hello<br /> the supposed breakaway hub is like a "Freeze Plug". it has nothing to do with saving anything and everything to do with manufacturing costs.it is easy to cast a prop do the machine work then press in a self aligning rubber hub. imagine the cost of splineing a solid stainless hubbed prop for mass manufacture? freeze plugs have nothing to do with freeze protection and everything to do with how to get the casting medium out of the casting. look for freeze plugs on lost foam castings. its almost like the " drive saver" coupler in the new volvo drives. it is strictly a sales tool. I have seen many broken ones but always while I was rebuilding the gearcase. Good luck and keep posting