Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

[bryanj23]

Greetings,

I posted earlier about problems I had been experiencing with my boat and I was pointed in the direction of replacing my current prop with an aluminum 3 blade prop of the same diameter and pitch (thanks hwsiii). I did some searching around town and it looks like I can purchase the Turning Point Hustler, Solas Amita, Solas Rubex, or the Volvo Penta QL for much less than any comparable prop here in town.

My boat is an older tri-hull design and is 15.5' with an older Merc 65 hp on the back. I guess my question is (sorry I'm new to all this) are there any real pros or cons between the brands? Any reason why you would buy one brand over another?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Bryan

 

[bryonthefly]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

I dont know much about the others but I can tell you that I have had excellent results with the TP Hustler. I switched from a Merc Black Max to the Hustler and never looked back. Vented for holeshot, holds tight in the hard turns and great top end speed, all at a bargain price!

 

[bryanj23]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

I dont know much about the others but I can tell you that I have had excellent results with the TP Hustler. I switched from a Merc Black Max to the Hustler and never looked back. Vented for holeshot, holds tight in the hard turns and great top end speed, all at a bargain price!

I've read about people using these vented props but I'm curious how it works. Does it really improve performance?

 

[bryonthefly]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

The vents allow exhaust to leak out over the blades and loosen the bite a little so the motor can rev up into its powerband. As you build speed the vaccuum stops the vents from leaking so the prop hooks up. Im sure it helps some boats more than others, you can always plug the vents if you dont like them, or adjust the hole size down for fine tuning.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

I suggest the Turning point simply because it does generally improve performance and because I hve no real info on the other props.
As I understand it a vented prop is more effective on an I/O.
It is possible to simply plug the vents.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

I suggest the Turning point simply because it does generally improve performance and because I hve no real info on the other props.
As I understand it a vented prop is more effective on an I/O.
It is possible to simply plug the vents.

I had one "exhaust over (vent holes over the blades) and in the prop (thru hub)" back in '89 when I bought my Ranger BB. The venting over the blades (holes up front) made all the difference in the world in getting a TOS fat A>>>>boat on plane and in popping up my 250# TOS arse from a deep water slalom start . This is probably the 30th time I have said this, but the holes make a difference. Once on plane, you are not burdened with the 4th blade that other props offer.

BTDT.....and when she seals the holes shut and kicks into overdrive at around 35 or so mph......just pure silk.

Mark

 

[180shabah]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

My experience with the hustler is the same as Bryonthefly, huge improvement over the merc prop.

FWIW - I would suggest you get the TP legacy, not the hustler. It is the same prop, but can use either the TP or Merc hub assy.

 

[mikenbecw]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

"Once on plane, you are not burdened with the 4th blade that other props offer."
Texasmark, can you explain that to me? I don't have any experience with a four blade but they claim to be better in the hole shot and top end.
Thanks

 

[180shabah]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

...I don't have any experience with a four blade but they claim to be better in the hole shot and top end.
Thanks

Since we don't know who "they" are, or which two props "they" compared, or what boat "they" tested with, we can't say that they are wrong. However, in general, a four blade prop has more surface area than a three blade and provides a better bite in the water resulting in better acceleration and less ventilation. That same increase in surface area, also usually means more drag, thus less efficiency and lower top speed.

There are exceptions to every rule and of course, there is the difference between component efficiency and vehicle efficiency.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

I got the QL because I needed a prop and it was available through iboats. Hub kit and shipping included. Seems fine so far but I have not tried the others.

 

[mikenbecw]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

Since we don't know who "they" are, or which two props "they" compared, or what boat "they" tested with, we can't say that they are wrong. However, in general, a four blade prop has more surface area than a three blade and provides a better bite in the water resulting in better acceleration and less ventilation. That same increase in surface area, also usually means more drag, thus less efficiency and lower top speed.

There are exceptions to every rule and of course, there is the difference between component efficiency and vehicle efficiency.

"they" were not my question. "they" were just a reference to every ad I've seen for a four blade prop "they" the manufactures & "they" the dealers are selling which only claim the benefits.

I wanted to know what the burden was. I think you eventually answered that with the claim of more drag, thanks.

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

Shabah, I have seen many of your posts on here and have found them to be to the point and provide very good information. I just thought I would add some of my thoughts on four blades.

However, in general, a four blade prop has more surface area than a three blade and provides a better bite in the water resulting in better acceleration and less ventilation. That same increase in surface area, also usually means more drag, thus less efficiency and lower top speed.

In my opinion, one of the first guidelines I use to tell if changing to a four blade prop will help any particular boat and motor combination is if the hole shot and acceleration is bad, if the boat requires higher RPM just to stay on plane and has at least 15% prop slip,and if you are trying to increase acceleration for heavy loads and skiing, then it is normally a very good choice as well. Under these guidelines, normally a four blade prop will increase the hole shot and overall acceleration as well as it would normally not lose any of its top speed because the four blades will usually decrease the prop slip enough to make up for the difference in drag. This is just a general guideline, as there are many other reasons changing to a 4 blade can help overall performance in SOME cases. But I will say that just adding more blades is not always the RIGHT answer, as Shabah and Mark are saying.


H

 

[mikenbecw]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

Thanks hwsiii, When I can get onto a lake to find out all the info required to make the correct choice I may need you guys to help interpret the data to make that choice!

 

[180shabah]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

Didn't intend to ruffle any feathers, just be cautious of marketing hype. Every product out there is better than yours. It says so on the box.

I had to learn the hard way on a few. Can anybody say near dissasterous results with a "foil". And I have been through several props(composite, 4 blades, 2 stage shifting) but keep coming back to the Hustler. Is it the best prop out there - nope. Best bang for the buck on a v-hull runabout - IMHO yes. I still have a torqueshift to play with, but water levels haven't consistent enough for me to be comfortable running it.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

"Once on plane, you are not burdened with the 4th blade that other props offer."
Texasmark, can you explain that to me? I don't have any experience with a four blade but they claim to be better in the hole shot and top end.
Thanks

The boats that run high speeds have problems with water turbulence which decreases efficiency up there.....my data comes from reading posts on here written by people affected and looking for a solution. I never had a 4 or a high five.

Theoretically, the fewer the blades the more efficient, probably due to reduced turbulence, hence air, hence non-compressible, hence reduced speed due to less thrust for a given set of parameters. However, vibration goes up with fewer blades. Also where prop slip is high, like coming out of the hole, or starting the deep water slalom skier, more blades mean more water contact and reduced slippage....better application of thrust.

The ported prop (I just learned a couple of days ago reading in the props for sale ads) is classified as a "exhaust thru and over" prop; some props are neither, some thru, and some over.

The exhaust over the blades causes the density of the medium the blades are trying to turn in, to drop drastically which reduces the torque required by the engine to do the job (like putting your car in N and stepping on the gas) which allows the engine to rev up fast which allows it to develop it's hp fast, gets the prop spinning fast, and get you up and running. After all spinning the prop in the water is what propulsion of this type is all about.

While all this is happening, the prop is grabbing water and the more it gets, the less the slip and the less the amount of exhaust OVER the blade; domino effect. Once up and up to speed, the water flowing by the blade seals off the holes and you now have a "thru the hub" prop. The engine responds to the added torque load (rpms drop a few hundred....like going into overdrive with a car) and the boat takes off.

BTDT

Mark

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

I've had no issues when buying OEM props.

I suppose everything has a selling point, but at some point it gets sorta like the oil or spark plugs evaluation threads.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

We had a Turning point on our old Glastron. LOVED IT!!

Stayed hooked up in turns holeshot was great pretty rugged too.
Depending on exactly what your applications are you should be very happy with it. Good luck

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

Bryan, if you really want to find a better prop you need to get a tachometer with a GPS top speed. My reommendation before was based on NOT having a WOT speed and the corresponding RPM, and without that info it is kind of shooting in the dark.



H

 

[Rwebber77]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

I guess my question is (sorry I'm new to all this) are there any real pros or cons between the brands? Any reason why you would buy one brand over another?

Great question. I took my current prop into "The Prop Doc" in Eden Prairie, MN and he told me to absolutely never buy a Turning Point or Solas....and he favored Mercury props in a big way. The man has A LOT of experience in repairing props, but how much stock does a guy take in an opinion?

I have been leaning towards a Hustler because of many satisfied iboaters, but I'll wait to see what the pros say as well. There just can't be that much of a difference between brands

 

[MRCLEAN92626]

Re: Turning Point vs. Solas vs. QL

'96 18'6" open bow, 4.3L Merc I/O. I purchased a Hustler 14.25X21 through Iboats and it's been great, and was a bargain price.

I also run a 4-blade Solas Amita 4 14.5X17 for wakeboarding only. It gives a terrific holeshot with a load full of bigger guys, but it definitely loses a lot on top end.

Of course, these aren't props of the same pitch so I can't very well judge them side by side, but I do however prefer the Hustler all around.