Solas stainless 4 blades all the same?

[_sadpanda]

i'm considering a 4 blade to replace my current 'water sports' prop, hopefully to get better hole shot and MPH holding. Current prop is Quicksilver Black Diamond 19p. I dont know GPS max speed speed on this prop as I generally dont exceed 35 skiiing. Also bouncing the rev limiter with this prop is very easy, so aside from launching it never gets full beans anyway.

Solas has the C4, HR4 and L4 all of which have essentially the same description. Anyone have any idea what the actual differences are? I thought about 19p as that may help attenuate the over rev situation but 18p may give me the stump pulling grunt I'm looking for.

'08 Stingray 195lr, Penta 4.3L GXi 225hp, 4800-4900 max rated rpm, 1.66 SX-A outdrive, 3,000lbs ish loaded, 7.25in x-dim

 

[alldodge]

Have not used a Solas but with your 3 blade (B) 19 pitch (P) hitting the rev limiter you do need more pitch or more blades.

A 4B 19P is equivalent to a 3B 21P
Either of the above will reduce your WOT rpm but also reduce your hole shot.

If you go with a 4B 17P will increase hole shot, will probably reduce your WOT RPM but it will probably still hit the rev limiter but maybe not as easy.

Right now it's a roll of the dice because we don't know enough, like where is the throttle when it does hit the rev limiter

 

[_sadpanda]

I'm ok knowing the prop is 'hot' and being mindful of the limiter. The question is about the Solas linup... I dont want to spend rev4 money on my intentionally 'slow' prop, but I'm assuming stainless vs aluminum, the stainless may do better on both ends. I could just buy a bunch of props to test and hope the return goes through but I was hoping to make a bit more educated guess.

Given the extra bite, any 4b (ss vs alum) is +2p? So by that logic if I'm meh on the 19p 3b towing hole shot and want more, I should be looking at a 17p 4b?

 

[alldodge]

19p 3b towing hole shot and want more, I should be looking at a 17p 4b?

IMO, yes
The 4B has more bite

 

[alldodge]

See if you can find a prop repair shop, many will swap props once you buy one

Another option is contact Hill Marine and they will advise and swap new prop with until you get what you want

 

[Stinnett21]

If you're running a Black Diamond you already have the Flo Torq 2 right? Amazon has a Quicksilver Nemesis 17" now "used like new" for $150 which is basically an aluminum version of the Rev4. Try it and see what you think. This prop gets great reviews generally, for what is is, ally prop. Quicksilver is a Mercury prop without the hub, thus cheaper.

 

[Scott06]

If you're running a Black Diamond you already have the Flo Torq 2 right? Amazon has a Quicksilver Nemesis 17" now "used like new" for $150 which is basically an aluminum version of the Rev4. Try it and see what you think. This prop gets great reviews generally, for what is is, ally prop. Quicksilver is a Mercury prop without the hub, thus cheaper.

I have both of these props and the nemesis is not a AL copy of a Revolution 4 no comparison between the two in performance... or cost. I was really disappointed with the nemesis/spitfire when i tried it insane amount of slip.

Your point that it will likely be better than a black diamond is correct just not in same ballpark as the higher end SS stuff. I think @QBhoy had the same experience with the nemesis/spitfire

A less expensive 4 blade maybe worth trying is the merc Vensura/Offshore, had really good holeshot with mine

 

[Stinnett21]

I have both of these props and the nemesis is not a AL copy of a Revolution 4 no comparison between the two in performance... or cost. I was really disappointed with the nemesis/spitfire when i tried it insane amount of slip.

Your point that it will likely be better than a black diamond is correct just not in same ballpark as the higher end SS stuff. I think @QBhoy had the same experience with the nemesis/spitfire

A less expensive 4 blade maybe worth trying is the merc Vensura/Offshore, had really good holeshot with mine

He's talking about Solas which is probably is the $400 range. All I'm saying is try the Nemesis, which is commonly available used or open box for even around $100 sometimes, to get an idea and return via Amazon for very small risk. I do appreciate your comments Scott.

 

[Texasmark]

He's talking about Solas which is probably is the $400 range. All I'm saying is try the Nemesis, which is commonly available used or open box for even around $100 sometimes, to get an idea and return via Amazon for very small risk. I do appreciate your comments Scott.

I bought a new Solace 4 blade (stern lifting design) SS 13+x19 a couple of years ago for under $300 with free shipping....don't remember the source. I was running a (bow lifting design) 13+x20 3 blade Mercury SS Laser and I got all the things you want with a 4 blade but only lost a couple of MPH (40+ MPH area) with the change. Was surprised but I didn't make the change for the top end, I wanted a cruising prop and it did just fine.

 

[Scott06]

He's talking about Solas which is probably is the $400 range. All I'm saying is try the Nemesis, which is commonly available used or open box for even around $100 sometimes, to get an idea and return via Amazon for very small risk. I do appreciate your comments Scott.

Agreed I started with a pair of Michigan Vortex 4 Blades on my old boat (sea ray 170/3.0l) for more azz when towing skiers. Al was a good way to cut my teeth on prop swaps. My new boat I get bets holeshot with a Vensura but a lot of slip at WOT. The Revolution 4 I bought used on Ebay for $300 allows me to trim up more as it bites the water when trimmed all the way out, but hole shot suffers some. The stern lift helped immensely I even get slight better top end with the Rev 4 than an Enertia due to trimming all the way up.

I bought a new Solace 4 blade (stern lifting design) SS 13+x19 a couple of years ago for under $300 with free shipping....don't remember the source. I was running a (bow lifting design) 13+x20 3 blade Mercury SS Laser and I got all the things you want with a 4 blade but only lost a couple of MPH (40+ MPH area) with the change. Was surprised but I didn't make the change for the top end, I wanted a cruising prop and it did just fine.

Agree 100% you see a lot of negative comments on 4 blades but my last two boats for how I use them (loaded down towing) they are superior in 95% of how you use your boat...

 

[QBhoy]

I have both of these props and the nemesis is not a AL copy of a Revolution 4 no comparison between the two in performance... or cost. I was really disappointed with the nemesis/spitfire when i tried it insane amount of slip.

Your point that it will likely be better than a black diamond is correct just not in same ballpark as the higher end SS stuff. I think @QBhoy had the same experience with the nemesis/spitfire

A less expensive 4 blade maybe worth trying is the merc Vensura/Offshore, had really good holeshot with mine

Spitfire was a shockingly bad prop, any of them I’ve experienced. One in particular was just silly for prop slip. If you’re going 4 blade. Stick to the proper ones from merc stainless range. Rev 4, bravo and trophy would be the only three I’d ever even consider

 

[_sadpanda]

Given lack of community experience on Solas I ordered two Nemesis props - 17p and 19p just to get a feel for difference.

I tried the 17p yesterday. Holeshot is awesome. Basically instant plane. On the top end I was seeing nearly 40mph so plenty of speed for skiing. Caveats are 'excessive' slip, technically not enough pitch and too much bow lift for my boat.

Prop slip seems to be around 15% on the top end - kinda high. Lowest speed I could maintain 'good' plane was around 20mph. I was hoping for lower, next time out I will have my lovely assistant record GPS/RPM across the range to confirm actual numbers.

My motor should be governed at 4900 rpm but the prop allowed for over 5000 indicated. I don't recall getting that high with the 3b 19p so I may swap back just to confirm.

Regarding lift, I wasnt able to trim out nearly as far as the 3b (basically level) without inducing porpoise. The black diamond and nemesis has exactly the same barrel and barrel flare piece so I'm assuming barrel flare + extra blade is the difference.

I'll give the 19p a go - hopefully holeshot will be similar and maybe a little less zippy on the top end. Either way, given the porpoising tendency I think I need to shop for a short barreled/minimally flared SS.

 

[Scott06]

Given lack of community experience on Solas I ordered two Nemesis props - 17p and 19p just to get a feel for difference.

I tried the 17p yesterday. Holeshot is awesome. Basically instant plane. On the top end I was seeing nearly 40mph so plenty of speed for skiing. Caveats are 'excessive' slip, technically not enough pitch and too much bow lift for my boat.

Prop slip seems to be around 15% on the top end - kinda high. Lowest speed I could maintain 'good' plane was around 20mph. I was hoping for lower, next time out I will have my lovely assistant record GPS/RPM across the range to confirm actual numbers.

My motor should be governed at 4900 rpm but the prop allowed for over 5000 indicated. I don't recall getting that high with the 3b 19p so I may swap back just to confirm.

Regarding lift, I wasnt able to trim out nearly as far as the 3b (basically level) without inducing porpoise. The black diamond and nemesis has exactly the same barrel and barrel flare piece so I'm assuming barrel flare + extra blade is the difference.

I'll give the 19p a go - hopefully holeshot will be similar and maybe a little less zippy on the top end. Either way, given the porpoising tendency I think I need to shop for a short barreled/minimally flared SS.

I found the slip on the nemisis/spitfire to be very high too. I think mine was over 20% .

You may want to check your dash tach vs a shop tach. You may be reading higher than the engine actually is if the rev limiter is not kicking in.

Surprised you cant trim up without porposing

 

[alldodge]

4B creates more stern lift, 3B creates more bow lift

The 4B on my new boat will propose if it doesn't get tucked in more as speed increases. 30 mph tried out around 15%, 35 mph 10% faster then that 0 trim

 

[_sadpanda]

I found the slip on the nemisis/spitfire to be very high too. I think mine was over 20% .

You may want to check your dash tach vs a shop tach. You may be reading higher than the engine actually is if the rev limiter is not kicking in.

Surprised you cant trim up without porposing

Shallow boat with minimal x-dim; seems prone to porpoising at various trims regardless of prop. Smart Tabs have helped a ton but the 4b seems to be fighting them more than any other prop I've tried. The increased stern lift is probably whats providing that instant plane feeling - everything is a compromise.

I've got a digital timing light I can rig up to verify tach on next outing.

 

[Scott06]

Shallow boat with minimal x-dim; seems prone to porpoising at various trims regardless of prop. Smart Tabs have helped a ton but the 4b seems to be fighting them more than any other prop I've tried. The increased stern lift is probably whats providing that instant plane feeling - everything is a compromise.

I've got a digital timing light I can rig up to verify tach on next outing.

might try it with smart tabs removed see if it improves porposing

 

[_sadpanda]

might try it with smart tabs removed see if it improves porposing

Backed the tabs down to lowest level and porpoising stopped.

Made some pulls with digital timing gun hooked up: tach is accurate until I bump up against the limiter. On the limiter rpm bounces 4900-4950. Also the temp begins to climb pretty quickly so 4700-4800 is max sustainable.

 

[_sadpanda]

17p maxes out at 40 mph so 14% slip. 19P maxes out at 45 so essentially the same slip. Interestingly, looking at the video/log files, on back to back runs between the 19p 4 blade and my 19p 3b quicksilver, they were essentially the same. No difference in hole shot or top speed. So I'm keeping the 17p 4b for towing.

In other good news, the TitanHR I sent out to have labbed seems to be 'fixed'. 50mph (10ish % slip, didnt have the digital tach hooked up and couldn't tell exactly from video), vibration when trimmed out is gone, good holding power. Odd note, this prop no longer audibly cavitates when over trimmed - even WAY over trimmed - it just gets a little slower.

 

[flyingscott]

Call Solas or Michigan wheel. most of these companies have customer service lines to help.

 

[Scott06]

Backed the tabs down to lowest level and porpoising stopped.

Made some pulls with digital timing gun hooked up: tach is accurate until I bump up against the limiter. On the limiter rpm bounces 4900-4950. Also the temp begins to climb pretty quickly so 4700-4800 is max sustainable.

So by lowest level you mean tabs are down more to push bow down?

The engine rpm will bounce like that on the limiter as it drops spark to cylinders until rpms come down.

If engine temp climbs at that rpm you need to look at the cooling system, if impeller has not been replaced I would do so. If impeller is in good shape would look to see if flow is restricted in manifolds elbows or ps cooler.

If you are getting 10% slip I think for these types of props/boating budget you are doing pretty good.