Stainless props

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:42 pm

Just a query to those that might know. Outboards use stainless props, given they have a rubber center that is supposed to give if struck.

Is there a reason inboards do not use stainless other than the rubber hub protection?

Maybe they do use them but I have not found them on the net.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:24 pm

For high performance, SS is great. It doesn't bend as much as other materials under load, so it keeps its shape/pitch at high speeds. There are two basic down falls to using SS; as mentioned above, they don't give, so when you hit something, you really hit, and stand a better chance of taking out the lower unit in an outboard or stern drive along with upper unit drive shaft and component damage. The other down side is one of corrosion. In the presence of aluminum, it will cause serious corrosion issues of drives and outboards, just ask folks with Bravo III drives that come with SS props. The issue has always been a problem for Merc and Volvo, enough to precipitate service bulletins. And don't get me started with folks who add SS skeg covers to thier drives for looks or a fix for a broken skeg. They tend to shear the drive off when you hit those too. The OEM skeg is designed to break away for a reason. Why specifically not on inboard apps? not sure eccept that I'd rather the prop give than something else in the drive train

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:35 pm

They are around but rare and costly Rolla / twin disc is one company .

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:40 pm

thats my understanding as well D. Around here you see 50/50, my buddy was all cocky about his new 300$ SS prop until the day we were running along side each other and both hit dibree from a washed out peir. both of us had alpha one outboards. his boat is a larger fishing boat, mine ski boat, but we hit the same stuff at the same time. reguargless of angle, size, yada, yada, i lost a full fin on the prop. his looked good but he was dead in the water. I towed him home with my shaking boat. To this day he still says his prop is better. His out drive was messed up! Bent the prop shaft, he left it running and lifted it out of water and burnt the gimble up bad. Gotta love the Lynnhaven Inlet!! I dont need SS im to careless enough...IMO

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:50 pm

SS on I/O s and outboards are common , Larry was referring to inboards and SS on thouse are very rare

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:54 pm

yes thats what i was thinking. but i just felt i had experenced a damage situation before and i would share, I IMO would think it could happen to any boat system. I was just thinking out loud.

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:58 pm

so if this happenend to an I/O as bad as what a 1" by 14" prop shaft, then his fault to lift out of water and burn up the gimble. What would it do to a long striaght shaft to the tranny if you think your ok and just keep giving it throttle? Im just thinking stuff is getting real expensive real fast. im usually wrong tho, but i have to ask.

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:00 pm

jefflaw35 wrote:so if this happenend to an I/O as bad as what a 1" by 14" prop shaft, then his fault to lift out of water and burn up the gimble. What would it do to a long striaght shaft to the tranny if you think your ok and just keep giving it throttle? Im just thinking stuff is getting real expensive real fast. im usually wrong tho, but i have to ask.

its been years so dont qoute me on the prop shaft size, i was just remembering what i saw in ideal terms

1995 390 express · Post by **1995 390 express** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:03 pm

wow i wish my props were $ 300.00. just brought mine for repair after removal this past weekend and both are junk. $$$$$$$$

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:10 pm

yea I guess size means alot plus having 2 or 1.. I was really surprised when my f25 was pulled from the water to see such a small prop. just more things to learn for me..

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:52 pm

jefflaw35 wrote:yea I guess size means alot plus having 2 or 1.. I was really surprised when my f25 was pulled from the water to see such a small prop. just more things to learn for me..

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:01 pm

You know Jeff, the girls say size really doesn't matter

Sorry guys, this was just to good an opportunity to let by, I couldn't resist. My head was saying stop but my fingers just kept typing. I will stop now.

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:08 pm

Big D wrote:You know Jeff, the girls say size really doesn't matter Sorry guys, this was just to good an opportunity to let by, I couldn't resist. My head was saying stop but my fingers just kept typing. I will stop now.

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:10 pm

Im sure Larry will have a laugh!!!... wouldnt it be neat to have 2?

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Tue Mar 27, 2012 9:56 am

here we go, an old adage "lucker than a two pxxxxxxxed billy goat"

Okay enough was just curious about the SS props and my thoughts were apparently correct, no forgivness ergo expensive things get torn up when prop hits anything but water.

Belive me SS props can get dinged too, personal experience. Brass mallet and a heavy backing hammer can fix many times.