What makes #6 props so expensive?
 

Been wondering........
Besides the obvious fact that most #6 drives or equivilants run more hp and need stronger props, why the massive difference in prices going from bravo to #6 props? Are materials different?
I mean, there is obviously a lot of 600-800hp set ups out there that would love the reliability of a #6 or arneson or equivilant but simply can't afford the props.?

It sucks, when I had a bravo boat I would buy pairs of props just to have them laying around. At one time I had 14 sets of props 3,4,5 blade in many different sizes and brands. All together probably $10,000 in props. Now 1 pair costs $12,000 for my boat. And the repairs for damage are just as costly. On the brighter side it sure beats new or repaired bravo drives every few weeks. I guess the cost is the same in the end LOL

Most bravo props do not go through the process of machining them to tolerance. A 4 axis maching center can be over $200k easy, and a 5 axis can be over $540k (starting prices for a decent one).

Can a set of #6 props be made using bravo style process to reduce cost for those running 600-800hp set ups?

You sir are a plethora of knowledge.:duel:

Merc used to have a lab finish and a non-lab finish series 10-15yrs back. I know for us we picked up about 10mph+ by going with a Hering from a cast merc. I know hering has machined bravo style props, but they still don't cost what a #6 cleaver does.

Brett at BBlades should prob be able to get you a better answer.

That is an interesting location you have sir. Do you even have friends there?.... LOL

i remember working on my 1st surface drive boat back in 1987, it was a 1985 SR1 Formula with 425 Kaamas and Kaama drives the props were exotic 4 bladed I think Rollas at a crazy price of 1500 apiece.

Yes I do. A Saxman and a TxHouse to be exact.:bananalove:

Cool question and awesome thread. I remember like yesterday when we had stock and Labbed #6 "long hubs". I also remember the day Dennis and I (well he asked me my opinion which was cool that he actually did that) decided to only offer Lab Finished #6 props because we were pretty much only selling Labbed version #6 props. The reason was the Labbed props kicked butt over the stock props. Called "long hubs" cause prior to that the "offshore" cleavers were only 4" hubs instead of the 6" they are now. The old SSM drives took 4" length hubs.

Cost? Very specialized. Many reasons and must be mentioned is tooling. Tooling from the fact of individual tools at Merc to few tools at Hering requiring longer machining times. More material yes but precision to the tracking of the prop and casting it to the larger diameters and its geometry are keys that also drive cost.

I have to also say,
The price point is driven by the price point of the vessel for sure. In addition, availability controls cost as well. Who makes these propellers? Yup, Mercury, Hering, Rolla and a few other small groups.


I have to go now cause the WI Badgers are about to win the NCAA basketball championship!

GO BADGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!