Anyone Have Experience With A Solas Rubex Prop??

[BamaBowrider 208]

Wanting to switch from the stock 3 blade to a 4 blade prop for a better hole shot. Boat is 208 Bowrider, 350 Vortec, Alpha 1 outdrive, 5150 WOT. Prop that is currently on the boat is 14.25 x 21. Thinking about trying out the following 4 blade 19 pitch.........

https://www.amazon.com/SOLAS-9513-143-19-Aluminum-4-Blade-Propeller/dp/B003C7OMYI/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Michigan+Wheel+Vortex+4+Blade+prop+14.25+x+19+pitch&qid=1686576431&sr=8-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0

Any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations???

 

[Texasmark]

I bought a 4 blade Solace SS prop for my boat dropping from a 3 blade bass boat prop (Mercury Laser) at 20"P to the 19" Solace. All the things you hear about with 4 blades are true with my Solace. I lost about 2 mph top end, trading 47-49 for 44-46. I did it because I wanted what a 4 blade is advertised to give you since I spend most of my time cruising just over planing speed.....which 4s are known for.....stability of the plane, constant speed. Hole shot was firm but I boat alone and don't pull toys so that wasn't the reason for the purchase.....but it was there if I wanted to firewall it out of the hole.

 

[BamaBowrider 208]

I bought a 4 blade Solace SS prop for my boat dropping from a 3 blade bass boat prop (Mercury Laser) at 20"P to the 19" Solace. All the things you hear about with 4 blades are true with my Solace. I lost about 2 mph top end, trading 47-49 for 44-46. I did it because I wanted what a 4 blade is advertised to give you since I spend most of my time cruising just over planing speed.....which 4s are known for.....stability of the plane, constant speed. Hole shot was firm but I boat alone and don't pull toys so that wasn't the reason for the purchase.....but it was there if I wanted to firewall it out of the hole.

Thanks for the reply.......I'm going to pay close attention this weekend to WOT speed and rpms for a baseline with my current setup and then decide which way to go.

 

[Scott06]

Thanks for the reply.......I'm going to pay close attention this weekend to WOT speed and rpms for a baseline with my current setup and then decide which way to go.

That Solas or Michigan wheel Vortex 4 blade (18") will work nicely. I run 4 blades on my last 2 boats for exact same reasons you mention and had great luck with the Michigan vortexes on my last boat. Was a inexpensive way to cut my teeth on prop swapping and trials. You may have to play with pitch as you do want to keep rpms in the upper end of your WOT range. I was able to find a local prop shop who gave me 2 pitches of Vortexs to try- ended up buying them both on for skiing(16"), one for cruising (18"). Got nice hole shot, stern lift and slower planning speed..

On my new (to me) boat this experience was a stepping stone and had nice results with a Vensura (aka offshore) and Revolution 4. Different investment level than the AL props but I was able to find them used off eBay ...

Let us know how you make out

 

[gbrowne63]

i have a14x21 4 blade turning point that runs faster than the 14x23 3 blade .I thought it was wierd but it works. It,s 2mph faster.

 

[Scott06]

i have a14x21 4 blade turning point that runs faster than the 14x23 3 blade .I thought it was wierd but it works. It,s 2mph faster.

I get higher top speed with my 21" Revolution 4 than a 22" Enertia, similar WOT rpm. I suspect it is related to stern lift and with the Rev 4 being able to fully trim out with out the prop blowing out. So I get slightly higher (1-2 mph gps ) top speed. My boat is stern heavy ....

 

[Texasmark]

No doubt the 4 will give you bow lift at high trim angles if you are going fast enough and don't blow out. At speed, the trim is the secret getting the bow up and wetted surface area down, reducing hull drag. I'm getting that with my Solace and once I get above 35, trim is the secret and the solace doesn't blow out.