Solas Amita 3?

[fishndirk]

Does anyone out there have experience with the Solas Amita 3 blade in the smaller sizes (20hp range)? I'm currently running a SS Solas Saturn 9.25 x 10. Its running 26mph gps at 6100 rpms and that's only cause I limited the carb linkage slightly. I wanted to bring my rpms down a bit so I ordered a Solas Amita 3 9.25 x 11. I want to know what I can expect to be different performance wise if anything besides the rpm drop which I need in order to give the motor a break. Ill post the data comparisons with all the details after I test out the new prop which I should have by next weekend (thanks to iboats for their awesome shipping).

 

[steelespike]

Re: Solas Amita 3?

I know your probably trying to be concise but it would be good to know what boat and motor your running.
Changing from ss to al can be somewhat unpredictable. Disregarding the material change the 11.1 should lower rpm 200 to 400.
Can't really do any calculations without knowing the boat and motor. The 11.1 could help your speed,may slow hole shot
and the ability to push a load.May be more fussy keeping on plane at reduced throttle.
You might have been able to have a prop shop doctor your ss prop. Maybe some more cup or pitch.A good prop shop can work wonders.

 

[fishndirk]

Re: Solas Amita 3?

Steelspike, I do realize that a lot more info is needed to get the full picture. That's why I said above that I'll post the data comparisons after I test it out this weekend. My question for now was more regarding the Solas Amita props themselves. Is the squeeze cast process all its cracked out to be, are they really just as good as an equivelant ss in that size which is what I'm reading. Solas says they were designed for 4 stroke motors like mine. I looked into the price of having my current ss 9.25 x 10 adjusted and it was almost as much as buying a new prop in that size ayway.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Solas Amita 3?

My brief trip through the Solas site they talk about squeeze casting but no direct reference comparing performance
to ss props.I viewed two articles about their props as with many prop descriptions no real details.
I would expect good performance from their al props but not likely to match ss props.
I didn't see any reference to al props using stainless design features.
The Sola line has generally performed well and been predictable.
Turning Point props also uses squeeze casting and their Hustler props are competitive with ss props.
Both companies make ss props,an indication that while al is good there is a need for ss props.

 

[fishndirk]

Re: Solas Amita 3?

Ok here is the update. Hopefully this will help out anybody running a jon boat with a newer 4 stroke as I am. First with the setup: Alumacraft 1442 NCS (230lbs), 2010 Tohatsu 20hp 4 stroke (114lbs), myself (130lbs), my 2 sons ages 6&4 (80lbs), a cooler with ice & drinks (30lbs), gear (30lbs), total load of 614lbs. Gear ratio is 2.15 to 1 and recommended WOT rpms are 5400 -6100. The two props old and new and their performance data with this same setup: 1. Solas Saturn 9.25x10 ss -hiting the rev limiter at 6380rpms, had to adjust the throttle linkage to limit the carb movemet just to get it to run at 6100rpms. Speed was 26mph on gps, cruise at 20-22mph. 2. New prop to try to bring down rpms: Solas Amita 9.25x11 al - 6200rpms, 27mph at WOT, cruise at 21-23 mph. Had to back off the throttle just a tad to run at 6100rpms. CONCLUSION: the solas amita is still a very fast prop, almost as fast as the ss saturn in this size. Its still slightly too fast, the fact that its 1" more pitch and an al prop was not quite enough to bring it within the recommended range. But its still a lot better than it was. I do realize that I can have the Amita adjusted or have cup added but I don't think I want to. If I ever have 2 or more adults on the boat, having those reserve rpms will come in handy to push the extra weight in which it will probably fall within the recommended WOT rpms with that load. I would rather it have the ability to push a little more weight when I need it to. I will just have to learn to back off the throttle just a tad after it gets on plane with a lighter load. Please feel free to comment...