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
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Well, you do and you don't. If you know the lake(s) you fish well, going stainless should not be a problem at all.
If you are looking for an overall good prop, I'd maybe look into a Michigan Wheel Rapture prop. Many people have had really good luck with this prop on various rigs...but the only real way to get a good idea for what you want is to find a prop shop that will allow you to test 4 - 5 different props. Spend the day out on the water making test runs, turns, etc to see which performs best to your liking. Some shops will require you to pay the cost of one prop, then allow you to exchange until you find the one that suits your situation the best.
It is definitely a trial and error process...but when you find the right prop for what you want it to do, you'll know almost instantaneously.
Steve |
