Aluminum Versus Stainless Steel Props

Does the sticker shock of stainless steel propellers get the best of you? Or maybe you’ve heard stainless props are hard on outboards. Here are some facts along with my personal experience to help you make the right decision for your circumstances.

Many people are concerned or have heard of damage that can occur to their outboard from running a stainless prop, such as bending the prop shaft. But this isn’t true. It is important to note that as with aluminum, a stainless steel prop also has a rubber insert in the hub that is designed to slip when the propeller strikes an object. I would also add to this that I have bent prop shafts with aluminum props on a Yamaha 60hp and an Evinrude 90hp.

We run alot of small and even large rivers such as the Mississippi and in the long run it has been my experience that stainless pays off. With aluminum props costing 50%-60% of a stainless prop it doesn’t take too many oops or sand before you end spending more rebuilding or replacing soft aluminum props. Sand will literally eat an aluminum prop up thus causing your outboard to over rev and possibly costing you even more money. Stainless props hold up to sand very well. They will also take hits with wood and soft hits with rock or concrete boat ramps that can occur when loading your boat on the trailer.