Aluminum vs stainless props

[MAITOI]

I am considering a stainless steel prop for my 115 Yamaha that is on my 1750 crestliner sportfish. Is there any appreciable difference in performance? Any pros or cons and approximate cost?

[Hemlock]

This topic has come up before. In a nutshell, stainless perform better and are about 3-4 times as much as an aluminum. Stainless won't flex therefor making the most of your engine.

Aluminum, cheaper, flexes, cheaper to repair, usually.

One thing some might say (I've never hit a rock), but if you do hit something significant with stainless, you can do some serious damage to your gears and shafts within the motor. Aluminum, usually will not create this problem.

Either way, best to stay off the rocks.

Hope this helps

[Surface Tension]

Sometimes when you pound a nail and you take your focus off the nail and look at you finge,r it hurts.

Hemlock hit this one on the head.

[ccarlson]

Good input you are getting so far from the posts. I would say that with a 115 you are borderline on a stainless helping you a lot. I have a 150 on a heavier fiberglass boat and it makes a significant difference from that range on up.

As far as costs, my powertech 4 blade was about $550 if I remember right. I scuffed up the edges loading the boat at a landing with a shallow gravel bottom (I didn't hit it, it sucked it up)and it was another $150 to refinish the edges and get the right cup back in it. That should give you an idea of some expenses to expect for the improved performance.

ccarlson