Prop Talk: Choosing Between Aluminum and Stainless Steel Propellers

One of the most important decisions for any boater—whether you're cruising Guyana’s rivers or heading out to sea—is choosing the right propeller for your outboard. At Farmsup, we help you make the best choice for performance, durability, and value. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the difference between aluminum and stainless steel props, and how to choose what works best for you.

Aluminum Props: Affordable and Capable

Aluminum propellers are a cost-effective choice for most everyday boating needs. Mercury aluminum props, like the Black Max® or SpitFire®, are made from Mercalloy®, a high-strength alloy developed specifically for propellers. The result? A thinner blade with reduced drag, giving you solid performance on boats up to 250hp and speeds up to 50 mph.

If you're a casual boater or working with a midrange outboard, aluminum is a smart option that balances performance with price. It’s also a great backup prop to keep onboard.

Stainless Steel Props: Performance Meets Durability

If you're looking to get the most out of your engine—or boating in tougher environments—stainless steel props are the way to go. These props are stronger, more precise, and more durable than aluminum alternatives. They flex less under load, which means they keep their shape at high speeds and trim angles, giving you better efficiency and higher top-end performance.

Stainless steel is also more resistant to damage—ideal if you boat in shallow rivers or areas with debris, stumps, or mud bottoms. Mercury’s Flo-Torq® SSR hub system even helps absorb shock from impacts, protecting your gearcase in the process.

Mercury's premium stainless props, including Enertia®, Fury®, SpitFire X7®, and more, are built with X7® alloy—which is 30% stronger than conventional stainless steel and allows for high-performance blade designs not possible with standard materials.

Aluminum vs. Stainless: Which Should You Choose?

• Performance Focus? Choose stainless steel for better speed, acceleration, and handling.

• Budget-Friendly? Aluminum gives good performance at a lower cost.

• Rough Conditions? Go with stainless steel for maximum durability in challenging waters.

• Spare Prop? An aluminum prop is perfect to carry as a reliable backup.

Not Sure What’s Right for Your Boat? We Can Help.

At Farmsup, we stock a wide selection of Mercury propellers and are here to help you match the right one to your engine and use case. Whether you're upgrading for performance or need a reliable replacement, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today to find the perfect propeller for your Mercury outboard—plus expert advice, installation support, and genuine marine parts right here in Guyana.