Is an Aluminum or Stainless Prop Better

Propeller questions come in all the time - which type is better, aluminum or stainless? The truth is, each have their strengths and weaknesses and in certain applications, one will be better than the other for you. In this video we will cover:

1. Aluminum prop pros and cons. 0:49
2. Stainless prop pros and cons. 2:43
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[chiphill]

Aluminum: cheaper, but lightweight and easily damaged, must be replaced often in locations where the bottom is near, slower because blades flex under load and lose pitch

Stainless: expensive, but faster because blades are stiffer, less likely to be damaged by contact with the bottom, added weight improves prop momentum, more durable, maintains shape and pitch over time, internal rubber hub is designed to prevent gear case damage

Here on the SC coast we have oyster bars and sandbars everywhere, stainless is by far the most popular and economical.

[tinman-ufto]

I love these videos, this guy is great! I’m a new boat owner and really enjoy the videos!

[hd]

Good video. Why didn't you mention using a rubber hub to prevent drive train damage with stainless?

[BellavistaPEI]

Very good video! My friend has stainless on his twin 5.0's and hit a rock last year....insurance paid out $8000.00 for repairs....TO ONE OUTDRIVE!!!! I'm thinking the shiny looks pretty....PRETTY EXPENSIVE!!!

[doctorhydro]

Norm Macdonald's brother did an excellent job explaining this.

[jerryjbloodworth]

Thanks, you just kept me from making a big mistake

[marcvaillancourt]

I have watched many of your videos. If I lived within travel distance to Len's Cove, I would have purchased my sweetwater from you Sean.

[Nick_GIZR]

Stainless blades are thinner so you will usually see an improvement in acceleration or you can change the pitch by an inch and improve top speed.

[bigtrout]

I fish in one lake that’s fairly shallow and full of stumps & standing Cypress. I hit a stump at less than 10mph. It sheared off one full blade and half of another on my aluminum prop. 4 miles from the landing it took almost two hours to idle/limp back to the dock with one bent blade. I’m glad I had aluminum and shudder what may have happened to my lower had it been stainless. Replaced @ under $150. For a few more miles per hour I don’t see the value in stainless, 40 mph is plenty fast for me.

[dirkboom]

Len,
You forget to mention that aluminium propellers put les strain on the forward and reverse gears when you engage them. The 'clonk' that you feel and hear is much less with alu because it's a lot lighter.

[violetsydney]

Aluminum Propellers

Lightweight: Aluminum is a lighter material than stainless steel, making aluminum propellers easier to handle and install.
Less expensive: Aluminum propellers are generally less expensive than stainless steel propellers.
More flexible: Aluminum propellers are more flexible than stainless steel propellers, which can help to reduce vibration and noise.
Less durable: Aluminum propellers are less durable than stainless steel propellers and are more susceptible to damage from rocks and other objects.
Stainless Steel Propellers

Heavier: Stainless steel is a heavier material than aluminum, making stainless steel propellers more difficult to handle and install.
More expensive: Stainless steel propellers are generally more expensive than aluminum propellers.
Less flexible: Stainless steel propellers are less flexible than aluminum propellers, which can lead to increased vibration and noise.
More durable: Stainless steel propellers are more durable than aluminum propellers and are less susceptible to damage from rocks and other objects.

[Boaters_hub]

What about the stainless probs with a sacrificial inner hub designed to be replaced if you strike bottom. Its the best or both worlds in my opinion

[panosxristodoulos]

Hello,
I'm running a suzuki df90a on a 5.20 m rib . The engine's max rpm is 5800 and I'm seeing this with a 14X19 aluminium propeller hitting 35 knots at wot. If I change to a 14X17 SS prop I suppose I'll hit the same max rpm. Will I see any difference in acceleration or top speed, considering my small engine ? Thank you in advance!

[Scablands_Scavenger]

I am starting to get more confused the deeper I dive into this. I feel like my boat is under propped. I have a 16 foot Aluminum with a 90 horse Evinrude E-tec. I cavitate badly if I don't slowly roll onto the throttle on acceleration and I reach max RPM at like 3/4 throttle (5500rpm I believe). The boat weighs 1100 lbs, motor is 290ish with a 6horse kicker and maybe a hundred pounds of gear etc. Top speed is 28-32 mph. I feel like the motor has much more to give or could run at lower RPM for same speed but worried a stainless prop would be an issue as I fish in rocky areas.

[jimwhall]

I’m always amused by the strident opinions on this topic.

I run a 4.3 mercruiser alpha one, and my son and his buddies are learning how to drive it so one day they can take over. We tow lot.

I run a 17” aluminum 4 blade with a 3 blade backup.

[reginaldcopeland]

For a 150, 175, & 200 plus engine you get better performance out of a stainless steele propeller.

Some dealerships put the aluminum propeller on boats because they are far less expensive.

However, some dealership on put stainless steele propellers on motors that are 150 hp, 175 hp, & 200 hp plus

[robertstorms]

Would you be able to do a compare video of the Sharrow Steel versus the new Sharrow Aluminum prop?

[AlexGarcia-ewfv]

Also heavy ss props.hav a tendency 2 wear out the Outer Prop.shaft bearing n seal>>> Due to the added weight

[jaroslav]

Thank you for an interesting review. I am missing though something I have never seen answered in any forum or video on stainless vs aluminum prop comparison. That is, what would be an impact on the Outboard RPM, if all other things being equal (pitch, cup, rake, diameter, ect), and you only change the material of the prop from Aluminum to Stainless steel (or other way around)? Would Outboard RPMs increase or decrease? For how much approximately? Or would there be no RPM change and only top speed would change - increase? If so, why no change in RPM?

[NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Will a stainless steel prop even make a difference on top end speed with a 40 horsepower motor