Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Much of the benefits of a steel prop are dependent on the type of steel prop you get. For example, the black steel props that most manufacturers offer is the same exact design as their standard aluminum prop. What this gives you is maybe a little boost in speed because the blades will flex quite a bit LESS than standard aluminum. Overall, what you really get with the black steel props is durability.
The polished stainless props (both by manufacturer and after-market props) can vary quite a bit depending on what you are looking for. For example, a yamaha pro series propeller is designed for speed, bow lifting and it's ability to have higher motor heights. The Michigan ballstic propeller would be quite similar, but more of a radical design. The rapture propeller by Michigan will not be as aggressive, but will give you really good thrust and bite on the water. So...what you need to decide on is what you want your prop to do for you... Do you want one for ultimate top speed? Hole shot? Cruising? Pulling tubes and skiers?
Regardless, going steel is definitely a benefit if you have enough motor to turn it. Usually, any motor that is 70hp or lower will not benefit very much from a steel prop, but you might see a little...depending on what you are wanting. No matter what, you run a higher risk of lower unit damage if you have a prop strike. Aluminum will break fairly easy, meaning less shock to your lower unit. But...no matter what, if you have a prop strike and you are going fast, you will damage the gears whether or not you are running aluminum or steel. If you hit sand, an aluminum prop will more or less get chewwed up on the blades, but a steel prop will be just fine.
If you post your rig's info (RPM, speed, motor height, boat, etc) you might get some good recommendations as to what prop might be good for you to try out.
Steve
|
