BigBendFishing.Net

As far as props go? I was talking to an avid flats fisherman today who hit Ecofina a lot. I fish the same area as he a lot too. He runs an aluminum prop and said a SS prop would only damage your motor, whereas an aluminum prop would break before doing harm.

This got me to thinking, as I have always had an aluminum prop until now.

How would a 4 blade aluminum prop act as far as compared to a SS 4 blade prop?

Doesn't it really make more sense in this area of flats to go with aluminum?

SS props for me. If I hit something I want to be able to get home. If you hit something pretty good with an aluminum prop, you probably won't have any blades left.

I've hit a lot of stuff with SS props and all I've ever had to do was file a few burrs off.

Put it like this. I have hit stuff and broke off chips and blades out of my aluminum props, just replace or grind down the chips, depends on how bad.

Now, I got a buddy that ran a stainless prop, and when he hit a rock at anky, he had to send off the prop, and the foot of the motor to get the shaft straightened out.

I will give up a little of flash and speed for the money it cost him.

HOWEVER, if you hit a big rock, or an old bird rack at 40 mph ain't nothin' gonna save your foot, it is history.

The only place in my opinion that stainless is better is in heavy sand areas, they do not wear as bad as aluminum.

And of course, you will get as many opinions as there will be posters about this.....


PS - I always carry a spare prop with wrench and extra nut and washer.

Dubble

DT what I have in mind is keeping my present prop for a spare if the aluminum gits wrecked.

And one thing is with my tunnel/jackplate not a lot of foot is sticking below the boat.

For me, a stainless is like American Express. Don't leave home without it. However, you have to use some common sense. If you know you're in a rocky area, idle.

Redbelly, an aluminum prop is never giong ro give you the performance a stainless will. An aluminum prop has almost no cup. and the blades flex under a load. A stainless stays rigid, and the cup is what gives you the bite you're looking for.

But they be so much $$$$$$$$

But we are talking boats......

Redbelly wrote:But they be so much $$$$$$$$

But we are talking boats......

2 Stainless props - $ 600.00

2 aluminum props - $ 190.00

600
- 190
---------
410


410 divided by 13.00 (cost of Coors 18 pack) = 31.54 18 packs


I think you know where I stand on this.....


Dubble

Dranking is mo' better than propping!

But I think yo' prices ain't kurect.

I run a SS but I keep my old alum. on in the boat in case I spin a hub or something.

Redbelly wrote:Dranking is mo' better than propping!

But I think yo' prices ain't kurect.

For the beer, or the props?

Dubble

I'm running a SS on my bay boat and love it . Like BD said, I want to get back to the ramp.

I HAVE BEEN RUNNING THE SS FOR A YEAR NOW AND I HAVE BUMPED INTO MY SHARE OF ROCKS WITH HARDLY ANY DAMAGE TO THE SS PROP.

PRIOR TO THE SS I HAVE BROKEN AT LEAST 4 ALUMINUM PROPS OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD, THATS EXPENSIVE.

USUALLY WHEN THE FOOT IS DAMAGED A LITTLE BIT OF SPEED IS INVOLVED, THEREFORE IT WOULDN'T MATTER IF YOU HAD SS OR AL.

Reel Cowboy wrote:I'm running a SS on my bay boat and love it . Like BD said, I want to get back to the ramp.

gotta agree

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.

DF 1860DLX wrote:I run a SS but I keep my old alum. on in the boat in case I spin a hub or something.

That's what I do also. SS all the way!!