fisninfool Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Hi again, How much difference would a SS prop make for my slightly doggy 680 T w/ 60 merc? Thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Esox_Magnum Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Big difference, buddy ran a 4 blade on his old 2 stroke and was pushing in the low 40's... IMO the 60 is a little underpowered for the 690 and a 90 is by far a better motor.... A 115 is sweet but needs a 90 cowl LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 delcecchi Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 I recall the tests done by the late lamented bass and walleye boats mag. There really was little difference between aluminum and stainless props. Here is what they had to say.... Quote: Q: Are stainless steel propellers really faster than aluminum props? A: Not really. If you switch from an aluminum prop to a stainless wheel (of the same style and pitch), you probably won’t see a big change in the boat’s performance. But there’s more to it than that. Although aluminum is light, inexpensive, and relatively easy to repair, it isn’t a very strong material, so the blades on an aluminum propeller are usually fairly thick. Most aluminum propellers are good for general-purpose applications where price (or reparability) are the primary considerations. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is about five times stronger than aluminum. Stainless props can be made with thinner blades (and in a wider variety of blade shapes and styles) than is possible with aluminum. Thinner blades and advanced blade geometries equate to better performance and speed. On a fast hull with a very positive power-to-weight ratio, stainless props can be faster than aluminum. Pitch and maybe rake seem to be the two biggest factors in prop performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Walleye Guy Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Stainless makes a big difference on higher horsepower powers. I think you will be disappointed in the limited gains you would get on your 60 HP if you bought a stainless prop. Unfortunately your boat is underpowered and changing the propeller is not going to correct that fundamental issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 John Mickish Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 what 60 horsepower on a heavy boat the gains will be small but there will be gains. if you can get a stainless prop for real cheap I would say go for it if you have to pay retail in the 400 dollar plus range you are not going to be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 fisninfool Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 Isn't a 60 Hp the max on a 680? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 highlife4me Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Yes it is. I believe if you had a console it is 90HP. I don't know what pitch your prop is but you may want to consider changing that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 fisninfool Posted March 18, 2013 Author Share Posted March 18, 2013 K, thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 magnum mike Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Stainless props have their place but that place is not on my boats. They are 3 - 5 times the cost of a comparable aluminum screw. There is no argument that SS props do perform better than aluminum. My main objection is that a SS prop will not bend / break when struck and will transfer that energy to the drive train of the motor. I spend $50-$100 every year to tune up aluminum props. Much better than $1000's to re-build a lower unit in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators Borch Posted March 18, 2013 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators Share Posted March 18, 2013 Stainless props have their place but that place is not on my boats. They are 3 - 5 times the cost of a comparable aluminum screw. There is no argument that SS props do perform better than aluminum. My main objection is that a SS prop will not bend / break when struck and will transfer that energy to the drive train of the motor. I spend $50-$100 every year to tune up aluminum props. Much better than $1000's to re-build a lower unit in my opinion. Get a flo torq prop and the issue of lower units are gone as the $30 plastic part takes up the shock Just not an issue anymore if you move to the new stainless prop style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 magnum mike Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Very interesting tip Borch... I need to do some investigating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 delcecchi Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 And one other point of reference.... for what it's worth. I used to have an alumacraft classic 16 with a 40 merc (the 2 cylinder 2 stroke). I got tired of wrecking al props on the rocks of lake vermilion so bought a Stainless prop. There was no perceptible difference in performance but it didn't get damaged every time I bumped a rock on the way into the little harbor at the resort. And I never wrecked a lower unit either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Whoaru99 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Pitch and maybe rake seem to be the two biggest factors in prop performance. I agree. Before considering SS for even a second longer the proper pitch of prop should be confirmed as appropriate for the existing setup (runs in the proper RPM range at WOT throttle). Sorting that out and perhaps making some changes in weight distribution will help more than just going to SS prop. The more I think about it going to a SS prop straight across the more I think that could make it even worse if something with too much cup and rake was chosen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 BoxMN Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Fishinfool, is your 60 a 2 stroke or 4, and are you looking for better holeshot or top end? I have a 60 (bigfoot) 4 stroke on pontoon and have one of the new 4 blade Merc alum props on it (can't recall the name) but I gotta say, it has some umph. Obviously I don't have speed with a 22' pontoon (21 gps) but holy cow would it have umph to get out of the hole, and handling, for a boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Question
fisninfool
Hi again,
How much difference would a SS prop make for my slightly doggy 680 T w/ 60 merc?
Thx
Link to comment
Share on other sites
13 answers to this question
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.