BigBendFishing.Net

I just thought about a pretty good article in the latest issue of Shallow Water Angler, on running SS props. If I can find the link I'll post it up for everybody.

Seachaser wrote:How about these figures:

Bent shaft, Bent proip $1200 Had to get towed back with a ss prop that looked like a sardine can. Hit rock over a mile out.

Two weeks later, buddy was idling with SS prop and 2400 dollars damage.

Around econfina I run anything but ss, but carry one with me.

Could this be the voice of truth and wisdom for this area speaking?

Looks like a STRONG case for an aluminum prop.

Then go ahead and use aluminum. I'll stick with SS.

Fixin' to after the rock guard next week.

I'll make a $1 bet that before a year is out redbelly will have a SS prop.

I think this thread has shown there is no right answer. Run what you're comfortable with. But, if you think an aluminum prop is gonna save your lower unit, ask a few folks on this forum, like Sir Reel.

I've been running the same stainless prop for about 5 yrs now. Broke the casing on my foot once, have bounced off many rocks with this prop and still running it. I don't know if an aluminum one would've held up this long plus I get better preformance from the SS.

just my two cents

I guess you can hit just right and a SS prop will cause major damage, maybe you will maybe you won't. We each have to choose how to gamble our $.

Well since he mentioned it... I guess I need to add my experience.

ask a few folks on this forum, like Sir Reel.

About 3 years ago, out of Econfina on a March Saturday morning. Water was low. Headed just a bit on a Westerly track and was going to set up a drift towards the Aucilla that had produced some really good results the week before. I got a bit to eager to get over to my previous track and was taking a angle to the West rather than going further South before heading over. Finally reached about 3-4 ft of water and was running at 12 mph still being what I though was cautious. Had just put on a brand new aluminum prop the night before. Hit a big limestone rock about 8 inches or so under the water. Even at just 12 mph it hit so hard that it threw the motor cowling off the motor and landed at the CC. It actualy hit, ...bounced up...hit...bounced up...and hit the third time all in less time than it takes to say "OH **$&%)" . The prop was repairable. The lower unit WAS NOT. I doubt that it would have made much difference what kind of prop I was running. The Skeg hit before anything else did.

I'm currently running a 3 1/2 blade alum....carry one spare and got
another in truck to be repaired....again!
$90-100 for a good repair job. As many rocks and bars as I "engage"
I'd be scared of SS.

Prop companies got to love us flats folks!

Sir Reel if you had a SS prop I think you still would have had major damage on that foot, just one of those one in 10,000 hits. I doubt Porter's rock guard would have helped.

RHTFISH I am with you on thinking the aluminum is still safer for these waters.

I'd would like to make my current alum prop my back up.

How much top end do you lose by going to a 4 blade prop? Getting on a plane quick isnt really a problem in my boat.

Chalk went from a 3 to a 4 and said he lost no top end.

I HAVE ONLY USED FOUR BLAD PROPS HELPS POP UP ON PLAN REAL QUICK. ONE WEEKEND I BORROWED A FRIENDS RACING PROP 3 BLADES AND A LOT OF PITCH (WAY TO MUCH FOR MY MERC 150). AT 5000 RPMS I USUALLY RUN ABOUT 47MPH WITH THAT RACING PROP I WAS DOING CLOSE TO 60. ONLY PROBLEM WAS IT TOOK ABOUT HALF A FOOTBALL FIELD TO GET ON PLAN.

I WAS NOT TESTING IN THE AUCILLA.

CROCKER wrote:
I WAS NOT TESTING IN THE AUCILLA.

And why not?