www.iFourWinns.com

I have 2002 180 Horizon fish and Ski with a Johnson 150 outboard. I have a 14 1/2 x 19 aluminum prop currently. I live on the lake so I really don't worry about having a spare on hand.

I was looking to get a second prop over the winter. normally I would only use aluminum because it is likely im gonna hit a rock or stump fishing. I have been looking at Stainless Steel with the breakaway hubs. Seems like you get the benefits of Stainless and the benefits of the prop breaking away before your lower end does.

How have these been working out ?

If you're happy with performance and you're doing fishing with stumps and rocks, I'd stick with aluminum.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I would go with the Stainless Steel Prop. The rubber hub protects the gearbox, and the blades can handle quite an impact without damage. Pretty much do not have any need for a spare. If the hub breaks loose, you can still make it back at a lower power.

I have 34 years experience using SST props on 4 outboards and 2 I/O's, and have never damaged a lower unit, never damaged a blade, and only had one hub slip. Before that, my aluminum props would only last about 2 years in the debris filled lakes. My current SST prop has been in service for 19 years. I had it re-hubbed from OMC to volvo a year ago, and it is still in good condition.

Regarding "break-away hubs", as far as I know, ALL props with through-the-hub-exhaust have rubber hubs that will slip if over-stressed. Is this what you are reffering too?

Here is a nice iboats thread on the topic:
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topics-questions-not-engine-topics/break-away-hubs-34660.html

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Do a search, we are very particular about this issue here.

On my last boat, I would have the Alum prop rebuild every season. Since changing to SS, none of that. I have also been running SS/hub without issue for about 8 years. I did disintegrate a hub, and recommend you keep a spare on board (I have a spare inside the spare prop, with the nut, thrust washer, etc together). Otherwise minor skeg damage, no drive damage, and no dinged blades.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I picked up my boat at the dealer where it was getting a keel guard installed. I inquired about a stainless steel prop with the breakaway hub for my boat. I got a tour of the gerarbox graveyard from this season. All using stainless Steel with breakaway hubs. The rivers and lakes around here are to shallow, rocky and unpredictable. The best application for my boat is aluminum or composite.