I will be making my first trip to palestine this weekend and have been reading a lot about navigating the lake. And I have to admit I'm pretty nervous about it. Looks like i will be launching as close to where I want to fish as possible and doing a lot of idling. I have a backup composite prop. Does anyone run one of these on stumpy lakes instead of there stainless prop? Seems like the composite would flex and not tear up something better than the stainless. Or am I overthinking it?

Overthinking

Might help save your propshaft but I bet the prop would break easy.never heard of them before

overthinking

I hit stumps at low speeds at fork when I am there and my prop is fine. You hit them at high speeds well cant help you much on that one.

Composite will break....

Like the others said, you're overthinking it. Most props are a lot stronger than you give them credit. I've seen engines and props at idle speed constantly bashed into big stumps on Millwood and Wright Patman (it's unavoidable) for over a decade without damaging a prop or spinning a hub, much less actually hurting the prop shaft. You spin hubs and break stuff at fast idle and running, generally not at idle speeds.

Nothing wrong with you buying a backup. I carry one. Couple weeks ago it came in real handy when I spun a hub on Lake Caddo(fast idle/unfamiliar place). If you have a spare carry it. If space/weight is too much of a consideration at least have it in your truck. Not the most convenient but could salvage a wasted trip. What I would not do is buy a "sacrificial lamb" or "weakest link" prop for my boat simply because I'm traveling to a stumpy lake. Nothing better than stainless for our applications and my backup would be/is the same or at least carry a spare hub. Idle through the stumps with the motor trimmed up @ IDLE SPEED and you will be fine. Not a trip goes by to Fork, Monticello...that I don't bump a few and my prop looks the same after several years. Above idle/planning speeds? The prop MIGHT survive, the prop shaft WON"T. If you settle on a composite you might want to carry several. Chance of breaking them on an otherwise incidental "bump" is real good.

Thanks for the input guys. I figured I was overthinking it but thought I would see what you more experienced guys thought. I keep the composite prop under the seat just in case and it has came in handy for me as well. Just so happens it was at Caddo too.

Hydraulic jackplates are a great asset when obstructions are at a higher risk level. I get to move my propshaft vertically 5 inches when idling, decreasing the amount of stuff I might hit. Add in some trim, and my skeg/prop are exposed to impact even less. In my case, the exposure of lower unit and prop below the pad is only the the bottom 5 inches of arc, if that. Even then, it's at an angle so that it tends to slide off what it bumps into. I still carry a spare along with what's required to change it. I also have a spare prop washer/nut kit in the boat's toolbox. I'd hate to drop a critical part even in shallow water/mud while changing one.

I think the worst thing that can happen if you hit a stump while idling is a spun hub. Keep an extra in the boat.

I hit stumps every time I'm on Fork or Roberts.

Over thinking just go slow and keep motor trimmed up if u come over a stump that will impact ur prop/lower unit after u slide over it just put it in neutral so ur prop isn't spinning when it hits tree