Solas saturn props views.

[dave3235]

Hi all

Was thinking of getting a SOLAS SATURN prop for my 20hp Mariner firstly, whats peoples experience of them over a stock ally one's.Secondly, my standard prop is 13p cupped and I have heard when changeing from ally to SS to go down a pitch to compensate for SS being heavier.I also gather that the solas saturn isn't cupped how does this work Surely I have lost a pitch or being SS the prop runs faster and therefore equals out

[jyasaki]

Every prop is different. Well, every prop model, anyway. As near as I can tell, you can't predict what a prop change will do until you actually try it.

Some may say otherwise, but I'll stick to my experience.

In general, a SS prop of the same pitch and roughly the same build will run about a couple of hundred rpm lower (stiffness of the blades and weight.) Equal to an inch or two of pitch. But, that's general, and may not apply.

jky

[Landlockedpirate]

I wouldnt go with a stainless prop on a sib, or any non performance boat for that matter. It wont give you any speed or acceleration advantage and it might even make the boat worse than it is now. With your engine a stainless wont run faster, the difference in blade thickness will be marginal and the extra weight of the stainless may actually make the engine run slower.

More importantly you are taking away the last line of defence for your gearbox. Touching the bottom will happen at some point, with an aluminium prop its not a problem. The prop will bend or break and you can get it repaired for £30. With stainless, the prop wont bend, which means something else has to, this can be the gear box, drive shafts etc. It now becomes a very expensive repair.

I know stainless props look shiny and sexy, but after many years of chasing performance gains with lots of different props, I have come to the conclusion that the standard ali prop ( + or - 2" pitch to allow for loading variations) is always the best solution on a leisure boat.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

I know stainless props look shiny and sexy, but after many years of chasing performance gains with lots of different props, I have come to the conclusion that the standard ali prop ( + or - 2" pitch to allow for loading variations) is always the best solution on a leisure boat.

+1

But as Homer Simpson would say... "Shiny wins, woo hoo!"

[paddlers]

Bought a stainless prop for the extra performance on my Mercury 15hp 2 stroke. Seemed ok, nothing dramatic in the performance until I hit a rock that barely marked the prop but twisted off the top of the main shaft into the powerhead........ !!

£400 later when I'd had it repaired I re-fitted the aluminium one

[Fenlander]

>>>I have come to the conclusion that the standard ali prop ( + or - 2" pitch to allow for loading variations) is always the best solution on a leisure boat.

Same here. You need to be very careful with the Solas props in that they might actually reduce performance. The blade shape can be quite different to an OE prop (often broader looked at face on and less progressive in the way it chops into the water). In my case with a 3.6m SIB and 15hp Mariner the Solas one caused a prop slip (in the water not on the hub)/cavitation type problem. The supplier said they were puzzled but were good enough to supply an OE prop as a replacement and that was perfect.

[dave3235]

Hi all

Mmm I thought there would be a bit of a split decision on this one, but it looks at the moment I would be better of having mine reconed then.Thanks for all yor input.

PS
Does anyone run a 15p ally on similar size engine 20hp and what sort of performace are you getting.