Let's talk props

[hillbillyfab]

Got to do a little prop shopping it seems. This is on a 16x48 flat bottom. Not sure if I should just replace what I've got or change in size while I'm shopping. I'm fairly green when it comes to watercraft. My little boat gets up on plane fairly quick. I guess if I could change anything I'd like a little more top end if possible. Let's hear any and all suggestions please. I was going to check on seeing how much this one would cost to repair, if repairable.

 

[Pilchard]

New prop time.

There is always a trade off between hole shot and top end. Max speed requires a longer hole shot and vice versa. The only reason to change size(diameter) that I am aware of is if your boat is severely under powered. You would then decrease prop size to increase rpms. Adjusting for pitch is how you change performance on a properly powered vessel. Well, that, and perhaps exploring a 4-blade option.

All that said, if you are happy with the performance before the prop was damaged, I'd just buy the same one.

 

[hillbillyfab]

Appreciate the response. Makes sense to stay with the original, if it's working sufficiently so far. What about material, stay? What about the materials? I see some props made from aluminum, some stainless? Any reason to go with one over the other?

 

[Pilchard]

Stainless props are more expensive and more durable. Aluminum props are considered disposable by most. If you are running your boat in a place where it is likely to get banged up by rocks you should stick with aluminum. If you hit a rock with a stainless prop it will still get mangled and be a lot more expensive to replace.

 

[mike52]

As Pilchard said, I would stay with aluminum until you get the depths of the lakes you fish, hopefully to avoid such as the photo. There will be a raised number in between two of the blades, that is your pitch and size. Don't know what size O B you are running but one number increase on pitch may kill your hole shot and may kill top end RPMs if you don't have power to turn it

 

[Tenntrapper]

Also, stainless vs aluminum... If you hit a rock with aluminum, it breaks the prop. Hit it with stainless, and it transfers that impact to the gearbox and lower unit... possibly doing a whole bunch of damage.

 

[Doecrusher]

I was looking into ss when re propping and stumbled upon turning point hustler which has a bit higher rake, a little cupping of the blades and also has vent holes like ss. I wouldn't change pitch tho unless you knew what the old prop rpms were before the damage. And I'd prop if for the top end of wot range of your motor.

 

[Andy S.]

Also, stainless vs aluminum... If you hit a rock with aluminum, it breaks the prop. Hit it with stainless, and it transfers that impact to the gearbox and lower unit... possibly doing a whole bunch of damage.

This for sure, especially in the rivers I run with downed trees, snags, etc. Props are a lot cheaper than a lower unit.

 

[tnanh]

I will trade hole shot with top end all day long. Much safer and much more enjoyable to be in. A boat that struggles to get on top is a miserable ride in my opinion. As crowded as the lakes are now days you want to plane off asap.