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Author Topic:   Inexpensive Aluminum Four-Blade Propellers

Murphy posted 06-16-2009 12:52 AM ET (US)
I am replacing the propeller on my Suzuki DT 150 which pushes my 1973 Outrage 19. I am looking at inexpensive four-blade aluminum propeller. Has anyone experience with the following: Solas Amita, Volvo Penta, Michigan Wheel Vortex? All input is appreciated. RM
Tohsgib posted 06-16-2009 10:14 AM ET (US)
I would not go with a 4 blade on a banana hull. Also Suzuki and OMC share props, a nice SST 19" or 21" cand be bought used on E-Bay for about the same as a used Aluminum.
Tom W Clark posted 06-16-2009 10:44 AM ET (US)
My personal experience with four blade aluminum propellers is that their performance can easily be surpassed by almost any stainless steel propeller and that their durability is very poor.
fishgutz posted 06-16-2009 10:58 AM ET (US)
Do a search on this site for Solas. There is a wealth of info out there.
It seems there may be better choices out there for props in general. As for a 4 blade aluminum, you are very limited. Solas may be your only choice.
Murphy posted 06-16-2009 07:20 PM ET (US)
Good info guys. I am curious why I shouldn't go with a four blade on a banana hull? I figured it would help me plane at slower speeds pulling a tube as well as help in turning at those slow speeds.
fishgutz posted 06-16-2009 09:22 PM ET (US)
If you want aluminum then go for it. Stainless steel is more efficient but more expensive to buy and more expensive to repair. Aluminum can be had for between 1/6 and 1/3 the price.
I used to fish the Chippewa Flowage in northern Wisconsin. Hardly anyone used stainless props. Way too many stumps to damage your equipment. If your hub were to NOT slip for some reason an aluminum prop is much more forgiving to your motor.
ConB posted 06-16-2009 09:30 PM ET (US)
I have a 3 blade Michigan Wheel Vortex on my Outrage 18 powered by a Johnson 150 HP.
I think the Vortex is a good inexpensive prop. I have no desire to spend the money on a stainless prop to gain 2 or 3 MPH at this time.
The paint is not worn of mine in the 5 years I've had it.
Con
jamesmylesmcp posted 06-16-2009 10:09 PM ET (US)
Murphy,my everyday prop on my Banana hull is a Mercury Ventura 4 blade. Better cruise,better bite and better fuel economy. Slower than a 3 blade Laser II but a better ride.
Murphy posted 06-16-2009 11:50 PM ET (US)
Fishgutz, I am still leaning towards aluminum because there are lots of submerged rocks and stumps in the lake and as I found out last week it is easy to find them. Were I back in Savannah I would go with SS because if I hit a sandbar or mud bank they are a lot more forgiving.
Murphy posted 06-16-2009 11:51 PM ET (US)
jamesmylesmcp,
What pitch prop do you run on your banana?
jamesmylesmcp posted 06-16-2009 11:59 PM ET (US)
Murph, 21 pitch
fourdfish posted 06-17-2009 07:52 AM ET (US)
Murphy- I am also of the same opinion as several here.
I have no need to go that extra 2-3 mph so I have always had a aluminum prop. Several of the go fast posters here are always into burning up gas. I have had a couple of strikes and my aluminum props cost very little to fix. I never had
the lower unit damage possible with a stainless prop.
fishgutz posted 06-17-2009 09:16 AM ET (US)
Murph, then aluminum it is. Now to find a good 4 blade.
I have 3 props. 2 aluminum and 1 SS. Depending on the lakes up north where I used to live, I'd switch between the aluminum for hazardous waters and Stainless for Lake Michigan and a few others. I have 17 and 19 pitch aluminum props and an 18 SS. I have little use for the aluminum ones here but will keep them as spares or if I'm going somewhere that may be hazardous.
Murphy posted 06-17-2009 09:54 PM ET (US)
fishgutz,
That sounds like a good strategy to me. I already have a 3 blade SS prop that came on the outboard when I purchased it and I keep it as my backup.
Thanks for all of the input, this really helps. Now, one last question: What pitch? The motor specs between 5200 and 5600 RPM at WOT but I have never seen above 5200 with the original SS 20p prop or the 19p aluminum prop. I am looking at an 18p Michigan Wheel Vortex and am wondering if that will be enough of a reduction to edge up the rpm above 5200.
Any input?

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Author	Topic: Inexpensive Aluminum Four-Blade Propellers
Murphy	posted 06-16-2009 12:52 AM ET (US) I am replacing the propeller on my Suzuki DT 150 which pushes my 1973 Outrage 19. I am looking at inexpensive four-blade aluminum propeller. Has anyone experience with the following: Solas Amita, Volvo Penta, Michigan Wheel Vortex? All input is appreciated. RM
Tohsgib	posted 06-16-2009 10:14 AM ET (US) I would not go with a 4 blade on a banana hull. Also Suzuki and OMC share props, a nice SST 19" or 21" cand be bought used on E-Bay for about the same as a used Aluminum.
Tom W Clark	posted 06-16-2009 10:44 AM ET (US) My personal experience with four blade aluminum propellers is that their performance can easily be surpassed by almost any stainless steel propeller and that their durability is very poor.
fishgutz	posted 06-16-2009 10:58 AM ET (US) Do a search on this site for Solas. There is a wealth of info out there. It seems there may be better choices out there for props in general. As for a 4 blade aluminum, you are very limited. Solas may be your only choice.
Murphy	posted 06-16-2009 07:20 PM ET (US) Good info guys. I am curious why I shouldn't go with a four blade on a banana hull? I figured it would help me plane at slower speeds pulling a tube as well as help in turning at those slow speeds.
fishgutz	posted 06-16-2009 09:22 PM ET (US) If you want aluminum then go for it. Stainless steel is more efficient but more expensive to buy and more expensive to repair. Aluminum can be had for between 1/6 and 1/3 the price. I used to fish the Chippewa Flowage in northern Wisconsin. Hardly anyone used stainless props. Way too many stumps to damage your equipment. If your hub were to NOT slip for some reason an aluminum prop is much more forgiving to your motor.
ConB	posted 06-16-2009 09:30 PM ET (US) I have a 3 blade Michigan Wheel Vortex on my Outrage 18 powered by a Johnson 150 HP. I think the Vortex is a good inexpensive prop. I have no desire to spend the money on a stainless prop to gain 2 or 3 MPH at this time. The paint is not worn of mine in the 5 years I've had it. Con
jamesmylesmcp	posted 06-16-2009 10:09 PM ET (US) Murphy,my everyday prop on my Banana hull is a Mercury Ventura 4 blade. Better cruise,better bite and better fuel economy. Slower than a 3 blade Laser II but a better ride.
Murphy	posted 06-16-2009 11:50 PM ET (US) Fishgutz, I am still leaning towards aluminum because there are lots of submerged rocks and stumps in the lake and as I found out last week it is easy to find them. Were I back in Savannah I would go with SS because if I hit a sandbar or mud bank they are a lot more forgiving.
Murphy	posted 06-16-2009 11:51 PM ET (US) jamesmylesmcp, What pitch prop do you run on your banana?
jamesmylesmcp	posted 06-16-2009 11:59 PM ET (US) Murph, 21 pitch
fourdfish	posted 06-17-2009 07:52 AM ET (US) Murphy- I am also of the same opinion as several here. I have no need to go that extra 2-3 mph so I have always had a aluminum prop. Several of the go fast posters here are always into burning up gas. I have had a couple of strikes and my aluminum props cost very little to fix. I never had the lower unit damage possible with a stainless prop.
fishgutz	posted 06-17-2009 09:16 AM ET (US) Murph, then aluminum it is. Now to find a good 4 blade. I have 3 props. 2 aluminum and 1 SS. Depending on the lakes up north where I used to live, I'd switch between the aluminum for hazardous waters and Stainless for Lake Michigan and a few others. I have 17 and 19 pitch aluminum props and an 18 SS. I have little use for the aluminum ones here but will keep them as spares or if I'm going somewhere that may be hazardous.
Murphy	posted 06-17-2009 09:54 PM ET (US) fishgutz, That sounds like a good strategy to me. I already have a 3 blade SS prop that came on the outboard when I purchased it and I keep it as my backup. Thanks for all of the input, this really helps. Now, one last question: What pitch? The motor specs between 5200 and 5600 RPM at WOT but I have never seen above 5200 with the original SS 20p prop or the 19p aluminum prop. I am looking at an 18p Michigan Wheel Vortex and am wondering if that will be enough of a reduction to edge up the rpm above 5200. Any input?