4 Blade Props

[Anthony Delaney]

Hi Raiders,

I am looking at changing my current 14 X 19 inch prop to a 13 X 19 Solas 4 Blade on a Suzuki 140 4 stroke. Most people have told me that I will plane quicker and the boat will troll better offshore as it will hold the back of the boat up. I have no issues with top speed and Revs with the current prop but it cavitates if I don't drop the motor almost all the way down at high speed.

I would like to know if I will gain much out of the change and should I go to a 17 inch when going 4 Blades?

Has anyone ordered from a US store as they are alot cheaper but I don't know if I'm getting the same product?

The boat is a Seafarer Viking 5.5 so it's heavy for it's size.

Thanks,

[a boat]

Hi Raiders,

I am looking at changing my current 14 X 19 inch prop to a 13 X 19 Solas 4 Blade on a Suzuki 140 4 stroke. Most people have told me that I will plane quicker and the boat will troll better offshore as it will hold the back of the boat up. I have no issues with top speed and Revs with the current prop but it cavitates if I don't drop the motor almost all the way down at high speed.

I would like to know if I will gain much out of the change and should I go to a 17 inch when going 4 Blades?

Has anyone ordered from a US store as they are alot cheaper but I don't know if I'm getting the same product?

The boat is a Seafarer Viking 5.5 so it's heavy for it's size.

Thanks,

Hi, as a rule of thumb you will lose RPM going from a 3 blade to a 4 blade prop. Your WOT RPM wants to be around 6000RPM with your normal load so if that is the case I would go a 17 inch but first make sure the engine is not set too low. I think 90% of rigs that come thru here that are set up elsewhere are too low and an alloy prop, which I am guessing you have at present, do not like to run high. When the engine is trimmed corectly you should see the AV plate above the water.

Cheers,

Huey.

[fryboy]

I bought a Solas 4 blade from a US online shop. I did not want to buy from the US, but I couldnt get the guys in Australia to go even close to the price, even with postage. They gave me good advice on the size to get , although Huey has done a good job already. I ordered on a Thursday and the thing was at my door 7am Monday! The only danger from those guys would be the cost to send it back if you decide you've got the wrong one. Theyd be very happy to swap, but you'd have to pay the postage...

I've PM'd you the name of the store.

My experience with the 4 blade is great. My boat gets up quicker, less cavitation and it fixed the problems I was having wtih not getting near the recommended RPM at WOT. And it looks HOT!

cheers

Fryboy

[swanie1975]

hi vsea, i repowered my haines 550 with a suzi df140 and have been thru 5 props including the original 3 blade suzi alloys (14x19 and 14x21), a merc trophy 13.75x19 4 blade and a solas 4 lade13.75x21. i spun all these props out past redline(6200rpm) except the solas which was the only prop to keep the WOT rpms at 6200 but the holeshot was woeful. i ended up with a mercury trophy plus 13.75x21 repitched down to a 20p and its awesome. holeshot great, top end still well up there and WOT of 6250rpm with 2 POB and full gas and gear. the fuel usage on the prop is also up to 4 litres per hour less than the solas 4 blade which i bought in from the states and is now a spare.

check out www.ausfish.com.au for a post on suzi props by a user called honda900. loads of info there.

cheers ryan