4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

[Starcraft5834]

I've got a 19.5 Cuddy (2500lb) with 3.0 liter inline 4 Mercruiser. I installed a 4 blade Solas 14.75 x 15 P, Jumps me up on plane in less than 5 seconds, my WOT RPM trimmed out at 4600 and 33mph. with 5 adults in boat... Im pretty happy with those numbers. I had a 3 blade Solas 21p, 14.3. hole shot was horrible, a bit faster, 35mph, but WOT was down about 4200..

looking for confirmation,,,Im pretty sure the 4 blade was the right move... thoughts?

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

I made the move from a 3 aluminum to a 4 (Solas) stainless and felt like I got a new boat. Very similar results as you describe and since I'm more concerned about hole shot and economy, the loss of a couple MPH didn't bother me a bit. If you have accurate gauges, check your fuel consumption...mine improved about 10%.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

Bought the boat this year, put a new Solas 3 blade 14.3 21P on it, thought I was dragging a refrigerator, took FOREVER to get on plane,,,then put the 4 blade Solas 14.75 15P and BOOM!! up on plane in 5 seconds, running at 4600 WOT engine hums like it should,, I cant say enough about going to a 4 blade... it was the right move for me. Thanks for the confirmation Blackhawk!!... I am a 4 blade fan... there's really little downside and all upside in going to it.... cheers!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

I had a 19' Aristocraft with the 140 Mercruiser, and I was seeing 42 mph @ 4400 rpms with a 21 pitch aluminum prop.

Most of the 140 hp Mercruiser boats run 19's if they're a little heavy and 21's if lightly loaded. And most are running 3 blade props.

While 4 blade props are often seen, most are installed on bass boats for low and middle speed acceleration--giving up some mph. With the 4 cylinder Mercruiser, there's no acceleration to enjoy at the best of times.

I switched over to pontoons/tritoons many years ago, and they also run best with 3 bladed stainless steel props.

 

[jestor68]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

What year/model is your boat? Your slip showed 17% with the 21; not surprising given that you were over propped.

Your slip with the 4 blade went down to 9%, with the expected lose of top speed.

I can't figure out why you gained only about 400 rpm with that large pitch change. Were you running lighter with the 21, and heavy with the 4 blade?

The Mercruiser 3.0 L can be made to pull quite well with the correct prop and a reasonable size boat.

4600 rpm is right in the middle of the rpm range with that fairly heavy load. With a lighter load, it willl go up to the 4800 rpm limit.

Good all around performance makes any boat more enjoyable. Top speed isn't everything.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

Agreed Lt.. Im getting good all around performance with the Solas 4 blade. boats a 1987 Imperial VC 200,, 19.6 cuddy,, 2500lb. had 3 adults in it Sat.. was looking hard at tac.. trimmed it out best at 33mph,, 4600-4700 ish...rpm.. that was GPS speed..

engine temp at 140... new impeller installed this year,, that's working well..

For what I want,,,fishing,, a bit of tubing,, the 4 blade is terrific,, not pulling a fridge anymore,,, 5 seconds and Im up on the water.. thanks all

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

Sounds like that 4 blade prop is a good match for your boat and load.

I'm running a 18P 4 blade on my 18'er with a 140HP Mercruiser, and I'm very happy with it's performance. I wouldn't go back to a 3 blade prop as I'd rather have awesome holeshot over top-end speed.

had 3 adults in it Sat.. was looking hard at tac.. trimmed it out best at 33mph,, 4600-4700 ish...rpm.. that was GPS speed..

Mercruiser Manual #10 (1985-1989) shows the 3.0L's WOT RPM as 4200-4600. Your propped at the top end of that range, which is good, but I'd watch the RPM with a light load.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

I love the 4 blade Solas (20P) on my 19 cuddy. It made the low speed wander almost disappear. It's great for everything except setting speed records, but I mostly cruise at 28mph anyways. And for a V6 it really helps with fuel "economy"- this 28mph sweet spot has a lot to do with that prop:

I never saw any mpg's starting with "5" with a 3 blade

 

[mike165]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

Run a Solas 14.5x21 on Bayliner215 BR 5000rpm 75 kph,great hole shot,no bow lift good economy,best prop I ever had

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

95% of boating occur's under 4500 rpm where the 4blade outperfoprms the 3 blade. Assuming of course one doesnt run around at wot all day long and some do.

 

[Mule Laker]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

Are we talking about a specific Solas prop here or just any of their 4-blade models?

 

[vistacruiser]

Re: 4 Blade Solas, that do you guys think

Are we talking about a specific Solas prop here or just any of their 4-blade models?

The OP doesn't say which Solas 4 blade. I have had great results with both alum 17P Amita 4 and SS 19P Titan HR4. My rig differs in that I run a 200 hp OMC outboard on a heavy 20 ft bowrider (1900 lbs dry + motor, fluids, gear, people). The Solas 19P 4 blade ss is the best over all prop I have tried, in all conditions. I just had 7 people out in the boat on Lake Superior this week and even with that I was up on plane in 5-6 seconds. Cruising at 25-30 mph (3100-3500 rpm) is ideal for economy in my case. But also top end with a light load is 52 at 5600 rpm. I really can't complain. I picked up the alum 17P Amita 4 just for towing although the 19 does fine. The 17 jumps the boat on plane in 2 sec and will still do 48 mph. But it allows me to tow at 18-20 mph with pretty good control.

I had pretty good cruising results with an alum 21P and SS 20P 3 blades, but the 4's are so much better at low to mid range, and are not giving up much at all on top.