Alu, stainless or steel props in waters full of debris?

[XV2PS]

Hi All,

I just got (another) second hand yam 115 carb (2000 bucks, year 2002 quite in good state). It has a stainless prop. The guy said it is better (sharper) in rubbish water and tears the debris easier than alu. But I saw that prop being repaired at several places.

So what do you think?

Does that really cuts in a significant manner?
Labor here is cheap, is Stainless or carbon steel well repairable?

Or is it waste of money and will get an alu as quickly broken as a stainless?

I get used to often re hammer (reshape) and change every 2 years an alu prop. Will a steel or stainless be an advantage?

Actually I want to try a carbon steel next time. As sharp as a stainless but cheaper, and gets knocked before rusted


Thanks for any comment

[Mist-Rest]

The stainless may last longer but if you hit something a little more solid, your taking the chance of wreaking the lower unit.

What kind of stuff is in the water?

[frank1861]

I have a stainless prop and were I boat there are some nasty rocks. I just got my boat out of the shop yesterday after finding a couple of rocks it cost me $1700 for a new lower unit. I am now seriously considering an aluminum prop.

[XV2PS]

Well, debris are 80% palm leafs, 15% rice bags (huh yes, see my location ), remaining is anything from solid steel, timber planks, drums, mothers in law and so on. Rarely some really hard stuffs. I hope I could sometimes hit a rock, but there is nothing nada around....
But noted the point of the lower unit. Indeed, it will just report the problem higher in the transmission. And here a lower unit is surely double price (only the gear there is already for 1,000 bucks).
Thanks for the wise comments.

[Mist-Rest]

With those solids stay with the soft alloy. It will be cheaper.

[scboater]

Go aluminum. They are cheap enough that it doesn't ruin your day if one gets wrecked....

[XV2PS]

OK thanks all, you convinced me....