Is a SS prop worth the coin ?

[death_ship]

stainless made a massive difference on my 130 honda. the improvement was huge

[themerlin]

True, but when you can get them from the USA for just over $200 then it might be worth it.

I also figure I could sell it on ebay for more then that if it's no good

Gaining a 100rpm or so here and there does little in a 60 HP situation.... 4 or 5 times the price is a lot of coin for a shiny prop

Chris

[TheRealAndy]

True, but when you can get them from the USA for just over $200 then it might be worth it.

I also figure I could sell it on ebay for more then that if it's no good

A standard alloy prop for my 50 is about $220, so not a bad price for SS.

[themerlin]

Looking at about 270-300 after shipping.

I know someone going to the US, what do these props weigh ? Might see if he has room in his luggage.

A standard alloy prop for my 50 is about $220, so not a bad price for SS.

[FNQCairns]

yes if you can get one cheap (equivalent price of an aluminum), most certainly no if you buy retail here in OZ, almost exclusively one can find an aluminum prop that will work just as well as a stainless...today those extra nice SS merc props might be a bit of an exception.

the science says typical SS props only actually start working better than aluminum at a very specific number of revolutions per minute, doesn't matter what engine or boat it is matched to they have a nature given rpm where they become a best choice and aluminum at that point not in the race because of flex and edge thickness....99% of fishing boats never ever see this prop shaft rpm.

[FishHunter]

True, but when you can get them from the USA for just over $200 then it might be worth it.

I also figure I could sell it on ebay for more then that if it's no good

True but will the USA supplier swap it for you if you guess wrong? Or will you pick the brains of a local supplier and then buy from overseas?

[NAGG]

True, but when you can get them from the USA for just over $200 then it might be worth it.

I also figure I could sell it on ebay for more then that if it's no good

At 200 bills ..... its gotta be worth a look (I just paid $135 for a yammi alloy)

Chris

[truth stretcher]

I have been very interested in the opinions on stainless props given here and was wondering, have all the guys that have had performance increases by changing props either have boats with trim tabs or not.
Or should my boat be fitted with trim tabs before I consider looking for options on props?

[Spaniard_King]

yes if you can get one cheap (equivalent price of an aluminum), most certainly no if you buy retail here in OZ, almost exclusively one can find an aluminum prop that will work just as well as a stainless...today those extra nice SS merc props might be a bit of an exception.

the science says typical SS props only actually start working better than aluminum at a very specific number of revolutions per minute, doesn't matter what engine or boat it is matched to they have a nature given rpm where they become a best choice and aluminum at that point not in the race because of flex and edge thickness....99% of fishing boats never ever see this prop shaft rpm.

FNQ, your not gunna like this but seriously thats utter cods wallop!!!

Right from the start the SS has the edge... what is this imaginary prop shaft RPM that fishing boats will never see in which SS will outperform the ally.

Ally props flex significanly and more so under acceleration..even SS prop flex under acceleration.

For longevity SS are a no brainer..as if fuel economy is an issue.. if your purchase is economic based by an ally for all other reasons a stainless prop will be worth the extra $$

[themerlin]

Yes thats the issue. They might exchange it but the postage back will not make sense.
Maybe an option would be to sell it on ebay if need be, sure someone would pay $300 for a new prop.

True but will the USA supplier swap it for you if you guess wrong? Or will you pick the brains of a local supplier and then buy from overseas?

[themerlin]

And where the same size props used? Could the extra performance come from someone who know what they are doing sizing the prop vs the standard factory config.

I have been very interested in the opinions on stainless props given here and was wondering, have all the guys that have had performance increases by changing props either have boats with trim tabs or not.
Or should my boat be fitted with trim tabs before I consider looking for options on props?

[themerlin]

Prop ordered, cost $290 for a solas SS with postage.

[FNQCairns]

FNQ, your not gunna like this but seriously thats utter cods wallop!!!

Right from the start the SS has the edge... what is this imaginary prop shaft RPM that fishing boats will never see in which SS will outperform the ally.

Ally props flex significanly and more so under acceleration..even SS prop flex under acceleration.

For longevity SS are a no brainer..as if fuel economy is an issue.. if your purchase is economic based by an ally for all other reasons a stainless prop will be worth the extra $$

yeah Garry it's true, worldwide undertanding decades old, for instance a bloke has invented an aluminum prop that has such a thick leading edge that when spinning it cannot cut a persons leg. This stupid thick leading edge allows for only a couple of % loss in efficiency, 4 times thicker than the standard aluminum leading edge, the rest of the prop is just a regular prop. Popular off the shelf props are really dumb devices.

Same goes with standard aluminum props, until the shaft speed reaches a certain RPM the efficiency gain going thinner is hardly worth considering. That's the science and I understand how it would seem different but until that shaft RPM reaches high enough SS is not much more than bling and of coarse stronger like you say. Very very few fishing boats can actually reach the shaft RPM needed for the leading edge impact pressures of water to compound and therefore start to rob efficiency.

I run Aluminum on mine still cannot find a SS that is as efficient but i could have just as easily, it's a lucky dip regardless which one will do the best job and if each prop where seriously identical in all design except for blade thickness no one with a fishing boat would ever notice any difference in performance from a changeover.

Simple cup and blade surface area design between off the shelf props has heaps more impact on efficiency robbing performance than anything alum V SS does.

[Timfishin4fun]

What size and pitch is the one you have for sale? I have a 50hp yam and I could do with something that can handle a little more punishment from the sand and rock bars when crabbing!

I have a Solas New Satarn 11 5/8 dia x 11 pitch.

Timbo

[tropicrows]

Where I have done the right thing or not is still up for debate.

I have a suzi140 that is fitted with a Alloy 3x14x19 prop. Top speed was great, mid range ok, but hole shot bad. After discussions with Steve from Solas I purchased a SS 4x13x17, top speed faster, mid range slightly slower and fuel usage was more, but the hole shot was bloody brilliant half that of the alloy prop. However overall Steve & I were not happy with the performance so it had been exchanged for a SS 3x13 7/8x 17 HR Titan.
I am yet to do the on water tests with this latest prop, but when I do I will post these results and you can tell me if the $650 cost has been worth it.
I could have purchased from OS cheaper but choose not to, Steve has answered all my questions plus I have that peace of mind that I can keep swapping props until we get it right.