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Save Both Your Money and Life With Stainless Steel Propellers

Save Both Your Money and Life With Stainless Steel Propellers

  • Tuesday, 19 January 2021
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Save Both Your Money and Life With Stainless Steel Propellers

Many boats are now factory-fitted with stainless steel propeller shafts. Aluminum propellers, while relatively inexpensive, are typically suitable for low-speed general application usage. However, stainless steel props are often much more durable and therefore much more expensive, if you're looking for to upgrade the performance of your craft.

There are basically two types of stainless steel propeller shafts. The first is a tapered (or tapered nose) type, which is the commonest. This shaft is made out of steel that's cut to the same diameter as the main body of the boat - i.e., it's 'stiff'. The second kind is called a true cone - it's essentially a hollow steel 'tube' that's pressurised up at the widest part, so that the prop can be installed flush against the boat's hull. These tend to be stiffer, and tend not to compromise the stability of the boat at all.

If you intend to use your new, shiny stainless steel prop on the water, the best tip of all is to go for a set of 'squirly' blades. A quirky blade is much more aerodynamic than a flat blade, because the edges of the blade slant away from the hull of the boat. This means that, unlike a flat-blade, they won't snag on any surface that they come into contact with. They also work very well on wet pavement, because the squirly part of the blade allows them to cut along this smooth surface, rather than tearing and gouging the water as a flat blade would.

Another way of avoiding damage to both the vehicle and your own boat is to ensure that your prop is installed onto a suitable base, which is in turn usually a two-stage system consisting of a lower unit and an upper unit. Typically, these are made from either high quality carbon fiber or aluminum, and the design of the lower unit / upper unit will influence what damage a prop will suffer during an underwater impact. Lower units will usually be lighter and less robust than upper ones, and the strength of the shock absorbing material used in them will also influence the amount of energy absorbed during an impact. For instance, most carbon fiber products will absorb energy at a lower rate than high-density aluminum ones - although this can vary depending upon weight, the composition of the product, its intended use and many other factors.

A third way to save both money and lives when out on the water is to mount your boat on a rigid aluminum or high quality carbon fiber mast. Since stainless steel propeller units tend to be more susceptible to high stress impacts, using these props can reduce the chances of serious damage occurring. This is especially true for flat-bottom boats that may tip over in strong winds. A lightweight and highly rigid mast will also be easier to keep clean, allowing you to quickly remove damaged sections of the prop with little fuss.

Finally, stainless steel propeller units should never be exposed to harsh salt water conditions. Unless you want to take a few hundred dollars worth of risk, it's always better to take a few hundred strokes off the launch rails before putting a two-stage prop into the water. And for boats designed primarily for recreational use, it's best to avoid salt water altogether. If you absolutely must sail in salty water, rinse the blades with marine grade saltwater treatment every time you take out the prop.

Tags:aluminum boat propeller

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