The new Sharrow MX-A aluminum propeller is much more affordable than the original machined stainless steel models, and the company says it could pay for itself over several years of boating. (Sharrow)

Sharrow continuous blade or “toroidal” propellers have impressed the marine industry in the last decade with amazing fuel efficiency and the ability to put heavy boats on plane more easily than ever before, but the very high prices of manufacturing and finishing the machined stainless steel props have kept them from use on smaller boats, the kind most of us own. The SS propellers start at $5,000, each! 

The company just announced they will now release propellers in the Sharrow design machined from aluminum—at a price starting at $1,995.

While that’s a whole lot more than most of us pay for a typical aluminum prop now--$125 to $200 or so—and even more than a 3-blade stainless steel at $500 to $900, for many boaters the advantages of the new engineering may well be worth it. The new Sharrow MX-A™ propellers, in red anodized aluminum, will be available for outboards from 40-200 horsepower, per the company.

The Sharrow’s are no gimmick. They have repeatedly proven, in independent tests, to produce fuel economy as much as much as 40 percent better in the mid-ranges on outboard powered boats. Particularly on heavy, somewhat underpowered boats—like the pontoons that are among the most popular of designs—they can nearly double the range, the safe distances between refueling, and could save hundreds in fuel over a typical summer of towing tubes and boards. In three or four summers the props could pay for themselves.

Sharrow propellers are machined rather than cast, which is a major reason they are so expensive. (Sharrow)

On commercial boats that run every day—like guide boats—the props could be a no-brainer, paying for themselves much sooner.

The company also says that the added thrust makes it possible to buy a smaller outboard to start with on a typical package, saving money both up front and then long term in fuel use. A 90-hp outboard on a 20’ pontoon boat is a common package on the affordable end of the scale—but if you can buy that same rig with a 60 and get acceptable performance, the Sharrow might make sense. The propellers lose most of their advantage at wide open, but in the 2500 to 4800 rpm range they win big every time. (I’d guess dealers are going to have to do a lot of demonstration rides to prove this works, but I’ve seen enough independent tests over the last five years or so to be convinced.)

The propellers also have the advantage of running smoother and quieter, and they have more “bite” at low speed, making docking easier. On boats with a lot of windage—again think of pontoon boats—this can take the challenge out of corralling the beast, even in strong winds.

For those who have doubts that Sharrow props can be all that good, note that Yamaha Marine not long ago entered into a deal to allow them to cast and sell Sharrow propellers for their outboards as an extra-cost factory option. Yamaha is a careful, conservative company.

Pontoon boats are likely to benefit in fuel economy and time-to-plane with the new propellers, as are commercial boats and guide boats. (Tracker Marine)

Sharrow is currently selling the propellers in red anodized aluminum, I guess to help the public note that “Hey, I bought a Sharrow—maybe you should, too.” 

But given how expensive the propellers are and how much theft there is around some popular boating areas, it would be wise to buy a really good propeller lock along with the prop if you opt for a Sharrow. That red color makes them impossible to ignore.

The other obvious concern is the aluminum design—you would not want to put one of these on a guide boat used for flats fishing or running rocky, shallow or debris-filled rivers. Aluminum is fine for deep, obstruction-free water, but anywhere that hitting bottom or floating debris is a possibility, it’s a bad choice. Especially if your props cost $2,000.

In any case, we are likely to start seeing a lot more red propellers on boats in the coming year. Here’s the company’s website: https://sharrowmarine.com. 

— Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com