Piranha props: interesting but need more info

[watered down]

Came across these Piranha composite props ...interesting concept. Anyone ever use them or know much about them? How do they compare to aluminum props in performance and reliability?<br /><br />Oh, and while I'm at it...anyone know where I can get one of those floating prop wrenchs for volvo?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Piranha props: interesting but need more info

Pirana may run a bit (slight bit) better than stock aluminum in some cases, but you will spend some time replacing blade segments.<br />They do flex some too, and the one I've run showed it doesn't take much of a hit to shear a blade...infact, I don't think aluminum would have shown any damage in that particular case.<br />The solid composite hub tends to wear and eventually strip the splines out, if the blades out-last the hub that is....

 

[maxxpower]

Re: Piranha props: interesting but need more info

I bought my prop online last winter and ran it <br /><br />all season without any problems. As far as <br /><br />performance, I had a stock aluminum on my 3.0 <br /><br />liter sterndrive and noticed no difference in <br /><br />performance, except smoother shifting because of<br /><br />its lighter weight. The company claims that the <br /><br />material is 15% stronger than aluminum. I bought <br /><br />one because I boat in shallow water. It would be <br /><br />cheaper to replace all three blades (about <br /><br />$60) than to have the prop reconditioned, and <br /><br />there is no down time. I would buy one again.

 

[maxxpower]

Re: Piranha props: interesting but need more info

Walleyehed, I am not sure what size motor you <br /><br />ran your piranha on, but on the bigger motors the<br /><br />hub is made of ALUMINUM which is encased in the <br /><br />composite material. The hubs also have a <br /><br />lifetime warranty.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Piranha props: interesting but need more info

I ran 22 props for Piranha 3 years ago on my 115, and none of them hade any metal of any sort.<br />All 3 blade styles in 3 and 4 blade.<br />Only one prop strike with any of them, and the blade sheared without resistance...Believe it was the "B" style blade.

 

[maxxpower]

Re: Piranha props: interesting but need more info

walleyehed, you may have Piranha props confused <br /><br />with another brand. Directly from the website:<br /><br />Piranha propellers'center hub uses a high grade <br /><br />6061 extruded aluminum core which is <br /><br />encapsulated in the same composite material as <br /><br />our propeller blades." Check it out on their <br /><br />website; www.piranhaprops.com/

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Piranha props: interesting but need more info

No, I ran these FOR Piranha. I dealt directly "with" them.<br />One of the problems we had was shearing splines...there was no material(at that time)in the hub, just the same composite structure as the blades, but as I look at the site, I see the warrantee on the hub, so They have up-graded their prop system, and it looks as though they have discontinued 1 of the 3 styles of blades they had when I ran them.<br />Good to see they are keeping up with designs and taking care of the original structure problems.<br />I may have to call and see if I can run a couple of the newer ones on my 200.