Question and Answer
Drive Protection
Question: Will my drive be at greater risk to damage with a stainless steel propeller?
Answer: No, aluminum propellers use the same drive protective hub as the stainless steel propeller. If you hit
something hard you will probably do some damage to your drive with either propeller. Many prop shops like to tell people
they are at greater risk with a stainless steel propeller, that is not the case. With an aluminum propeller if you hit wood,
sand, gravel and even sometimes dirt you can plan on having your propeller repaired this keeps propeller repair shops in
business. Using a stainless steel propeller you can usually cut through all that with little or no damage to your propeller.
“Nothing a file couldn't’t take care of.”
Fuel Economy
Question: Will going to a four blade propeller help with my fuel economy?
Answer: Generally depending on the size and weight of your boat. You can generally expect to see an increase of
roughly 10% better fuel economy in the midrange when switching to a Signature Four or Five Blade Propeller.
Horsepower
Question: My mechanic told me I don’t have enough horsepower for a stainless steel three or four blade propeller, is
their any truth to that?
Answer: This is absolutely not true. Majority of a stainless steel propellers weight is located near the center of the hub
and has little effect on leverage when rotating. Pitch is pitch, if using a 19 pitch aluminum three blade then convert to a 19
pitch stainless steel four blade you are still only moving approximately 19” forward every revolution, horsepower makes little
difference.
Pitch Size
Question: When converting from a three blade to a four or five blade should I drop my pitch size?
Answer: Not unless your boat is operating outside it’s proper RPM range. Four blades originally got a bad name this
way, dealers would recommend a lower pitch when going to a four blade propeller, the result was spectacular hole shot,
over revving of RPM and significant loss to top end performance.
Four Blade
Today, converting your three blade propellers with a four blade propeller *pitch for pitch keeps the RMS’s the same, top
end the same, or close to the same all with a great hole shot.
When converting to a five blade, it has been our experience that dropping one or two degrees in pitch is recommended do
to the exceptionally high efficiently of the extra blade.
*Pitch for pitch means keeping the pitch the same as what you are already using now. For example: If you are using a 19
Pitch three blade aluminum propeller you should stay with a 19 Pitch when switching to a four or five blade propeller.
Drive Protection
Question: Will my drive be at greater risk to damage with a stainless steel propeller?
Answer: No, aluminum propellers use the same drive protective hub as the stainless steel propeller. If you hit
something hard you will probably do some damage to your drive with either propeller. Many prop shops like to tell people
they are at greater risk with a stainless steel propeller, that is not the case. With an aluminum propeller if you hit wood,
sand, gravel and even sometimes dirt you can plan on having your propeller repaired this keeps propeller repair shops in
business. Using a stainless steel propeller you can usually cut through all that with little or no damage to your propeller.
“Nothing a file couldn't’t take care of.”
Fuel Economy
Question: Will going to a four blade propeller help with my fuel economy?
Answer: Generally depending on the size and weight of your boat. You can generally expect to see an increase of
roughly 10% better fuel economy in the midrange when switching to a Signature Four or Five Blade Propeller.
Horsepower
Question: My mechanic told me I don’t have enough horsepower for a stainless steel three or four blade propeller, is
their any truth to that?
Answer: This is absolutely not true. Majority of a stainless steel propellers weight is located near the center of the hub
and has little effect on leverage when rotating. Pitch is pitch, if using a 19 pitch aluminum three blade then convert to a 19
pitch stainless steel four blade you are still only moving approximately 19” forward every revolution, horsepower makes little
difference.
Pitch Size
Question: When converting from a three blade to a four or five blade should I drop my pitch size?
Answer: Not unless your boat is operating outside it’s proper RPM range. Four blades originally got a bad name this
way, dealers would recommend a lower pitch when going to a four blade propeller, the result was spectacular hole shot,
over revving of RPM and significant loss to top end performance.
Four Blade
Today, converting your three blade propellers with a four blade propeller *pitch for pitch keeps the RMS’s the same, top
end the same, or close to the same all with a great hole shot.
When converting to a five blade, it has been our experience that dropping one or two degrees in pitch is recommended do
to the exceptionally high efficiently of the extra blade.
*Pitch for pitch means keeping the pitch the same as what you are already using now. For example: If you are using a 19
Pitch three blade aluminum propeller you should stay with a 19 Pitch when switching to a four or five blade propeller.
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