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Outboard Propellers ... What should Your Outboard Propeller Be Made Off?
How about an aluminum propeller?
Aluminum is light, much more forgiving than
stainless steel and far less expensive.
It's a fact that aluminium
marine propellers grace the driveshafts of practically every style of
outboard or sterndrive powered pleasure boat or fishing boat right round the world.
If it’s an outboard
propeller ... made of metal and painted ... it’s probably made of
aluminum.
In fact ... aluminium is almost as commonly used in outboard propellers as rubber
is in car tyres. It’s the industry standard.
So ... an aluminium prop is a good
compromise and quite satisfactory for an outboard propeller ... but is it the best material for you're style of boating?
If the water is not deep
... or if you operate in a waterway which is likely to damage
your Aluminium outboard propeller ... or if you want protection for your lower unit ... there are other options.
How about a stainless
steel prop?
Outboard propellers made from stainless steel are
strong, stiff, and expensive ... that's the reality.
Stainless steel props are relatively expensive but they perform accordingly and last about five times longer than an alloy prop.
The material is very strong so the cross section of the blade can be very thin.
Now you know why stainless steel propellers are so fast ... it's because they slice through the water
so quickly.
But there are one or two side effects ... propellers made from stainless steel are very heavy so the outboard motor ... or sterndrive often struggles to overcome the
substantial inertia of the heavy stainless steel outboard propeller.
Watch your R.P.M. as you climb out of
the hole, your motor slower, spinning the heavier flywheel now
residing on the propeller shaft.
You won't need a degree in mechanical engineering to work out why the acceleratiion times
don't match the increased all-round performance.
Another problem is lack of protection for your lower unit ... stainless props are renowned for causing damage
because they are so strong. Generally speaking they won't bend or break ... they prefer to bend and break everything else around them.
In all probability you will be facing a substantial repair cost If they do bend or break ... however ... they are fast and economical and many boat owners
swear by them.
About twenty years ago a third option became available to boat owners
They Are All Available From
Boat Propellers Australia.
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