Prop Brand Question

[uinthas7]

Hello,

I own a 17'5" Tracker fishing boat with a 115 4 stroke Mercury. I currently am running an aluminum 15 3 blade prop. My brother has the same outboard and runs a stainless steel 17 3 blade prop, more specifically a Sptifire X7. I tried it out and made a nice difference, gained 4mph and no blowout on turns. Question is, that is an expensive prop, I found a SOLAS Titan which is stainless steel for half the cost.

Question is, anyone have experience with the SOLAS or could compare the quality between the 2? Certainly would like to spend half the $$$ if I can get away with it.

 

[82rude]

Though I cant speak for stainless I have a 4 blade solas amita .and so far out of all the different props I own
(Michigan wheel,omc,brp,) the solas is the best .

 

[Kola16]

Solas is garbage. I would go with a Michigan Wheel, Mercury, or Turning Point. Your prop is one of the most important parts of the boat. Don't cheat it.

 

[89retta]

I believe the spitfire X7 is a 4 blade prop. As for solas I've got no complaints I'm running a 4 blade SS 19 pitch

 

[82rude]

Solas is garbage. I would go with a Michigan Wheel, Mercury, or Turning Point. Your prop is one of the most important parts of the boat. Don't cheat it.

Now why do say that?Ive had many years of flawless service from the solas ,much better than my brp or Michigan Wheel in all respects .The only stainless I have experience with is my old omc sst which since it was repitched to 16p runs very good.Does the op have access to different props to try out?Im fortunate in having a friend that's very good at props (owns his own prop shop)and I get access to lots of props if need be.

 

[jimmbo]

Myself, I prefer OMC/BRP, and Mercury Props, but I am not shopping/buying props on a Price Point. I have been lucky enough to have had access to the dealers inventory to trial the Props and did find decent 3rd Party Performers. I find the 3 blade Stilleto to be close to the OMC RAKER. I found the Ballistc to be worse than the OMC AL prop. I have found the Mercury Enertia to be the best, for my uses. I never bothered checking out the 3 rd Party AL Prop as they might save me a Fortune on Propshafts. Of course, you YBPMV.

I noticed some of the 3rd Party props have a lot to desired in the Quality Department. One brand in particular, had a very high incidence of 2 of the 3 blade having a different contour than the 3rd blade, a thorough inspection should always be done prior to installation. Returns are more difficult if the prop shows any paint scuffing courtesy of lake/river bottom

 

[QBhoy]

Solas are literally the bottom end of the prop world. Their quality control department should be ashamed of themselves. Out the factory the solas prop can wildly vary in pitch, tolerance and just out and out finish. It’s also in my experience that likely 9 times out of 10 a standard black max ally prop will out perform the best of the solas props.
Honestly now..just bite the bullet and get a good merc prop. That engine and light hull will sing with a good laser 2, tempest or similar. A black max will likely astound you too.

 

[Faztbullet]

I don't know where you get your Solas props but the ones I get I will put up against any OEM for fit/finish and quality

 

[uinthas7]

Thanks for the input. I went ahead and decided to try the Solas, I bought it from Cabela's so I figure if it does not perform I'll just take it back and get the spitfire. I'll report back when i have the results

 

[Texasmark]

Hello,

I own a 17'5" Tracker fishing boat with a 115 4 stroke Mercury. I currently am running an aluminum 15 3 blade prop. My brother has the same outboard and runs a stainless steel 17 3 blade prop, more specifically a Sptifire X7. I tried it out and made a nice difference, gained 4mph and no blowout on turns. Question is, that is an expensive prop, I found a SOLAS Titan which is stainless steel for half the cost.

Question is, anyone have experience with the SOLAS or could compare the quality between the 2? Certainly would like to spend half the $$$ if I can get away with it.

You indicated that you want to have the performance of a SS prop without the high cost....did I read you correctly? Fine. Turning Point (Brand) Hustler (Model) is for you. Pull them up on the www and read why they are your choice for less than 1'4 the cost of fancy SS props. They sell them here and elsewhere. You need the 501 Turning Point guaranteed hub kit to go with it for your 115 hp (13+ inch diameter) and 15 tooth spline.

 

[82rude]

I read it as wanting to know about the solas stainless props due to them being way lower in cost vs other brands.I would like to try a hustler myself some day.

 

[QBhoy]

I don't know where you get your Solas props but the ones I get I will put up against any OEM for fit/finish and quality

Each to their own I suppose. But they defo wouldn’t compare to a merc stainless for quality control. The poor and rough casting marks and defects are everywhere on them. Have a look inside and even where the blades meet the hub. Have a google. It’s not just me. They have tested countless times to be varying in pitch amongst other that supposedly are the same prop. Blades suffer from corrosion too...despite being of a stainless make up for the most part.

 

[Faztbullet]

I only sell quite a few props and in the Solas mainly the Titan3, the 3cplus and ipop aluminums and have found a few cosmetic blemishes but not in areas that would effect performance of prop.