I run my boat on alot of really brushy lakes with many hidden trees, is a ss prop worth the money?

Answer 1

No! Get a brush guard for your prop.

If you are a handy kind of person, or know a welder, they are very easy and inexpensive to make.

Cut out a piece of 1/8" mild steel that will marry up to the bottom of your plane. Drill holes to match up to the bolts on the bottom of the plane so you can use the same hole pattern..
Weld a piece of rebar 3/8 to 1/2 " to the plate and bend it so it follows the leading edge of the leg all the way underneath the skeg and below the prop.

I've used this a lot over the years on 9.9's and 15's. It does produce more drag, but normally with small outboards it's not really about speed, and it has saved me a lot on props.

Answer 2

Forget the SS prop, for sure! That's some serious $$ to tear up. Even worse, I'd be worried about your outdrive itself. What you pay for prop repairs, pales by comparison to what you'll pay for a torn up lower unit! You might want to trade your boat in on a jetboat. Most can run in 18" of water, and the best thing is, there's nothing hanging below the hull. Look at Sugar Sand, Yamaha, and Sea Doo jetboats, and you'll find that they're just as nice as regular bowrider! I've torn up my share of aluminum props on a rock ledge in a local river, so I finally switched to a jet!

Answer 3

Well ... if you are trying to save money on props the answer is yes ....but it will be at the expense of your entire engine or drive line. The prop will survive but you WILL damage or destroy the engine. Get a 'brush guard' for your prop, use a composite prop with removable blades.

Answer 4

Absolutely its worth it. Having a ss prop will chop right thru that stuff. Rocks will of course ding it up but not nearly as bad as a alum blade. If you get a ss blade and do happen to ding it up its even worth it to repair it. Its a good investment for sure.

Answer 5

ss props are great but also get a brush guard from Bass pro shops it will save you a lot of money beside boat stands for (Bring Out Another Thousand)

Answer 6

no!!!!! all you will do, if you hit something,is bust something more expensive then the prop. consider a composite prop with interchangeable blades and when you hit something, and you will, just replace the broken blades.steve d

Answer 7

after destroying 3 aluminum props in one day, i bought a stainless. it's like having a spare tire. if you have one you will never need it. if you don't, Murphy's law will prevail.