Honda 50 Prop - Solas 4-Blade?

[PeteC]

I see this prop listed in the Solas website but can't find anyone that sells it. From earlier discussion this looks like the right 4-blade prop for the Honda 50.

Solas Amita 4-Blade, 11.8 diameter, 9 pitch (Solas #3313-118-09)

Does anyone have this prop for their Honda 50? How well does it perform? Where can I get one?

Thanks.

[Mark Karagianis]

I suggest that you try this link (or paste it in if it doesn't work):

http://www.solas.com/products/propeller/propeller.htm

These props are made in Taiwan (stamped right on them) and they are sold thru a business in Australia. Also, you might enjoy reading about my prop tests (see Performance & Tuning) on my '05 Mac with a Suzuki DF-50. I'm still trying to get the bugs out of the Solas prop that I ordered. I spent so much for this prop that I'm determined to see if I can get it to work.

I would advise you to use a Michigan Wheel prop or whatever Honda supplies before you try a Solas - voice of experience.

Good luck!

Mark Karagianis

[Moe]

IIRC, Honda sells the Solas props through their distribution system and there's a Honda part number for the prop you asked about. Look at the Honda props on their outboard website.

You can read about my trials and tribulations with the Michigan Wheel "Vortex" interchangeable hub system in the archives here.

[PeteC]

I think this is what I have (need to check to verify):

Honda Part: 58130-ZV5-860ZA (3-blade, 11 D, 10 pitch)


It works OK: 16mph at 5700 RPM,
with 2 adults partly loaded (empty ballast, full fresh water tanks, 15 gal fuel, window AC, tool box and assorted stuff).

I can tow the kids on skis and a kneeboard.

I was hoping for a little better towing performance, which is why the 4-blade prop appealed to me.

Thanks Mark , I had forgotten about your previous prop discussion.

Terry had experience with the Solas 4-blade on a Honda. Hopefully he will give an update on his experience and provide a source for the prop.

[Terry]

Yes, I have a Solas Alcup 4 X 11.4 X 10, had it repitched a couple times to get it right, it is now a 9.5 pitch. My experience leads me to believe the 4 X 11.8 X 9 would be the best match on my Honda next time around. For some reason it was not readily available in Canada so I picked one up at Bob Yager's sporting goods in Bellingham Wa. USA. no problem.

I find the 4 blades provide better slow speed control around the marina especially in reverse, also the extra blade surface helps move these big boats more efficiently and compensates for the Honda's inability to swing a 14" diameter prop like some of the other models do. Here is a quote from a power boat blog:

Using a four-blade prop instead of a three-blade prop has several advantages. Your boat will accelerate and come up on plane faster, and stay on plane at lower rpm's. You experience less vibration with a four-blade prop. You will also have an increase in speed at mid-range rpm's, but there will probably be slightly less speed at Wide Open Throttle.

Cupped propellers have an extra curve on the trailing edge of their blades, which enables the prop to cut through water better. A properly cupped propeller should give your boat a higher top speed or allow you to go faster at the same rpm's. A rough rule of thumb for cupping says that a medium cup equals 2" of pitch. In other words, a 14" x 17" un-cupped prop could be replaced with a 14" x 15" cupped propeller and produce the same engine performance with higher speed.

The Solas Alcup has a medium cup and works quite well on the Honda, probably why Honda uses it for OEM.

[Frank C]

Ace Propellers is an internet source for Solas props, and they might have low prices. However, when I had a problem with the stainless Solas purchased from them (@ $300+) they refused to even discuss it. They basically said I should find a local prop shop and try pitching or cupping.

This diverges from every other prop experience I've had. If you buy from a dealer you'll get his support, and frequently swap privileges. Be sure to confirm same before writing the check. I found Ace Props notably lacking as a prop source.

EtA: I think I might call ACE for sourcing and price-checking, but get their advance assurances about how they'll support the sale. I assumed they'd match competition. My bad - not verifying it in advance, I feel they burned me versus the service others provide routinely. (Get it in writing, or they'll leave you on your own.)

[PeteC]

Search results thus far:

Potential sources:
www.boat-props.com: out of stock, check back in a week. $91+8 S/H

www.dansdiscountprops.com: will be carrying Solas props in a couple weeks

www.acepropeller.com: haven't called based on Frank's non-recommendation, not clear that they carry the corect prop. $115.95

Did not carry:
www.propline.com
www.tacomapropeller.com

The Tacoma props guy said they have to make a large order ($3000 or $30,000, I forget which) from Solas so they only carry a few of the more popular sizes.

[keving]

I just bought and installed the Solas Amita 4 x 11 5/8 x 9 pitch and it is horrible!

I only can get 6 to 6.9 Knots out of it and at wot it vibrates terribly.
I am switching back to the Solas OEM honda 11 3/4 x 10 prop.

Iboats .Com has props on sale but not that exact one.

Advanced Mower has the exact Honda part. I believe it was $125.00 plus shipping, only phone orders. They have a lot of Honda parts.

[Terry]

Keving:

I have the Alcup 4 and it is just fine, just wish I went for the ever so slightly larger diameter for maximum surface area. Perhaps you got a faulty one or did not install it correctly, I have attained 18-19 MPH with mine lightly loaded. Something does not sound right in your case.

[Night Sailor]

I bought my Solas Amita 4 blade 11.8x9 prop from Iboats.com. I got 16 mph with no ballast in my cruising setup with a 1997 Merc 50 classic. 13 mph with ballast. Since it only let me rev up to 5200rpm I reduced the pitch to 8 but left the cup in. Now at 5500 rpm I get 17 mph no ballast, 14 mph with ballast. This is with boat set up for long distance cruise, full tankage, all sails and furlers ready to go. I really like the four blade prop maneuvering at slow speed around the docks. It is smoother and quieter and gets up on plane faster than the Michigan Match three blade I have for a back up.

[Robert]

http://www.solas.com.au
..
When I bought mine, the exchange rate made up for the shipping cost.

[keving]

I found the box for my solas prop ... bought from iboats.com
It says Yamaha 50hp on it, but it is the Solas Amita prop 11.8 x 9.

I went back into their website and shopped for the prop again and I get the same part number for the Honda 50hp (3313-118-09) which is shown on the box.

Did iboats screw-up and is sending out the wrong prop
(Yamaha for Honda), or are they interchangable ?????

[Robert]

The Solas props are interchangeable with the substitution of the correct hub to fit the specified outboard motor. The spline shaft has to fit and be the correct length for the prop nut and washers. And the prop leading edge needs to fit the diameter of the opening on the outboard such that the exhaust goes through without much leakage and so there's no rubbing. Some of the Solas props have the pressed in rubber hub and some have another lighter weight type of mechanism to prevent damage in case the prop hits something.

[keving]

So I may be getting bad results from the prop......since I put it on right out of the box.

It may be for a Yamaha 50 and not my Honda 50 due to the hub??

[Robert]

If it fits your outboard correctly, then it will perform correctly. Maybe look on the prop for the stamped in pitch number and diameter number to see if the prop is really what you ordered. Then contact the folks you purchased the prop from and ask about the box.