Composit Props???

[Chris S.]

Have any of you tried the new composite props and what do you think of them? I have read that the do not flex at all like the aluminum props and work as well as a stainless but for less $$$$.

Any truth to this? Will they perform like a stainless???

Thanx....Chris S.

[FreeByrd]

Chris,
Not sure about the "NEW" composite props but I tried one a couple years ago. I hit a small floating stick on erie at about 20 mph. The comp prop completely disintegrated! All that was left was the hub. I've heard similar stories from others. I wouldn't consider a comp prop for anything other than possibly a cheap spare prop. Maybe they've made changes in the last couple years but that's been my experience.
Steve

[Dave C]

Take a look at piranha props (http://www.piranhapropellers.com) They are more durable than comp props and you can change individual blades if any get damaged. I am running one on my Mariner 50 hp 4-stroke and am very pleased with the result. My aluminum kept getting damaged on rocks and I didn't have the $$ for a stainless. Not sure if stainless would be that much of an advantage on a 50 hp anyway.

[Chris S.]

What size engine were you running freebryd?

[Fritz]

I have a Piranha on a 75 HP Honda. I got it before we went to Canada in June. So far so good. I bumped something, but there was no damage. Last year I was running an aluminum Michigan Wheel prop. I bumped something, and I had a small chip out and it was visibly bent - but it ran ok. It is too early to pass judgement, but this weekend I am heading up to the Turtle-Flambeau flowage, I am batting about 50% on having to have a prop rebuild job after these trips - so this weekend could be a defining moment for the Piranha.

My top speed might be down a mile or two per hour. My hole shot is still excellent. The only question is will it hold up. I have a full set of extra blades. With the extra blades, it is more expensinve than Aluminum, but it probably will be cheaper than rebuilding a aluminum every year and replacing it every three.

[Starfish]

A few years back I ran a Comprop for a summer on a Yamaha 115 Pro V. It didn't give me quite the top speed as my stainless, but it wasn't too bad... maybe 3 or 4 mph difference. But one day I was cruising fast in 40ft deep, turbulent water, and it came apart on me. Luckily I had my stainless with me, since I was about 30 river miles from home! The good news was that after I pulled ashore and swapped props, I decided to troll the current break I noticed, and we caught 28", 26", and 25" walleyes. It was worth the $70 for a new "honey hole".
But I wouldn't recommend a composite prop for anything more than small motors.

[Hans]

They're not worth carrying out of the store.

Hans

[mikie]

I was looking and one, too, and my dealer who I really trust said the best they are good for is to have in the boat in case of an emergency when your other prop is damaged. For what they cost, why not get a good one? m

[Mark]

How was your trip to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage ? I own a log cabin on the Flowage and I am just curious how the fishing has been.

By the way, I rent my cabin out for daily or weekly us and it's 20 feet from the shore of the Flowage. See WEB Site
www.birchpointcabin.fishing-hunting.com

[Phil T.]

They have a small but dedicated following among those who fish the snag-infested Missouri River. As one river rat told me, break a blade, save a lower unit. If only one blade is damaged, it and the blade opposite, can be broken off with a stout wrench. The two undamaged blades balance well enough to get back to the trailer.
I ran one for years, because I liked the way the four-bladed prop aided my boat's handling in rough water. It also served as a spare prop.
In my area, repair of any damage to an aluminum prop costs $40. Do the math. Cost of aluminum plus $40 to fix, vs. cost of ? Comprops. I think the break even point is around 4 or 5 repairs of the aluminum = 4 or 5 Comprop replacements.

[Fritz]

A report on the Piranha after a weekend on the Turtle-Falmbeau. Water is up, which helps out. However I did hit a stump hard with my motor. There was no damage to the prop. So either I really lucked out and just had the skeg hit the stump, or the prop is what it is advertised to be which is tougher than aluminum.

I am tempted to order a set a of blades with a different pitch to see if I can gain back that 1-2 mph I figure I lost.

Fish report - we only kept two eyes, but fishing for smallies was great.

Fritz

[Dave C]

I'm not an expert in alternative material for props, but I do not believe that Comprops and Piranaha props are comparable. My understanding is that Comprops are "disposable" when damaged. Whereas the Piranha material does not disintegrate when damaged and blades can be swaped out. I'm not pushing either one, just passing on my understanding. So far I am very pleased with my Piranha - which I would have had it on when I hit the rock in Kabetogoma.

[Chris]

What size motor are you running and did you lose much compared with stainless?

Thanx....Chris

[Dave C]

Chris: I lost about 2 to 3 mph on my 50 hp 4-stroke when compared to aluminum and stainless. Its on a 1660 Pro V tiller. Other than price, I really didn't see much difference between aluminum and stainless on my rig. I'm sure there are differences on higher hp setups. I ran a stainless for about a year and couldn't get the WOT rpm's high enough so I traded for an aluminum of lower pitch. After dinging the aluminum several times I decided to try the Piranha. The dealer said to try it for a month and he would give me a full refund if I didn't like it. So far so good.