Honda 50 Prop -- Solas Amita 4-Blade

[PeteC]

Does anyone have actual experience with the Solas Amita 4-Blade Prop, part 3313-118-09?

This is 11.8" in dia and 9" pitch.

I want to make sure it will work before ordering.

I had a bad expereince with a Michigan 4-blade, 12x9 prop. I assume the blade had too much cupping and it bogged the engine way down.

I currently run the Honda (Solas) 3-blade, 11.8x10 and it works well.

I am interested in the 4-blade for towing/skiing and for low speed performance.

[Terry]

Pete;
I bought the Solas Alcup 4 X 11.4 X 10 and in hindsight realized it should have been the 4 X 11.8 X 9. Not all props are the stated pitch, in my case it bogged my engine down with the 10 pitch so I took it into a shop and had it pitched down to 9. When I picked it up the guy told me it was actually 10.5 pitch not the 10 that was stamped on it. After a test run I found the 9 too low as my revs were jumping well above 6000 so I took it back and had it repitched again to 9.75 which turned out perfect, put me at 5800. The pitch to rpm ratio is not linear as they claim in the powerboat world, 2" does does not equal 4000 rpm. Anyway I like the Alcup design over the Amita due to the medium cupping on the Alcup and you may prefer the cupping for towwing/skiing as it gets more grip/bite on the water. I would think the Solas Alcup 4x11.8x9 would work well on the Honda for your needs right out of the box.
One day when I have money to burn I'll get the SS Saturn prop.
PS The open hub/exhaust of the Solas props provide a good 5% increase in HP or so they claim.

[PeteC]

Terry,

My concern is that the cupping may load the prop too much, just like the Michigan prop did. But based on your experience though, it would seem the Solas Alcup cupping must be less than the Michigan prop.

Also, if the 4 X 11.8 X 9 scales by prop swept area, then that would yield a 7% RPM reduction compared to a 11.4" diameter prop (with everything else being equal).

There seem to be so many variables that unless someone has run the exact same prop, it is hard to say the prop will work.

[Robert]

PeteC, In my opinion the 4 x 11.8 x 9 will provide nearly the same top RPMs and speed as your 3 blade by 11.8 diameter 10 pitch prop. When you add a blade, you reduce slip and the prop acts sort of like the next higher pitch.
..
The four blade prop will keep its grip better than 3 blades in rough seas and sharp turns. At idle or very slow speeds you will be able to feel that the four blade prop is smoother, ie the motor head will wiggle less and the whole boat seem calmer.
..
Do you still have the 4 x 12 x 9 MIWheel prop? I think if you repitched that one down to 8 pitch you would have a real nice towing prop. You can't expect much when towing with only 50hp, but having a tuned prop will help.

[PeteC]

Robert,

I had bought the Michigan prop from a local prop shop. They allowed me to return it. Unfortunately the prop shop closed and there is not a prop shop that is nearby anymore.

[Night Sailor]

I have that as one of my props on my X with a 50 hp Merc 2 stroke. I had to depitch it to 8 in. to get full rpm, but it works well. I like it for low speed work, manuvering, and for full load cruising. Very smooth, good hole shot.

[vkmaynard]

I have the same prop on the same motor as recommended by others. Big improvement in moving the MacGregor barge. Top speed is close to 18 MPH (as good as the three blade prop) while 4,000 RPM cruise and get-up-and-go is much better. Top RPM is about 5,800ish (redline 6,000). It could be depitched a little, but I have other things more important to attend to. We have two seasons of wakeboarding on the 4 blade prop; it would be difficult without the additional torque.

Victor

[PeteC]

I have the same prop on the same motor as recommended by others. Big improvement in moving the MacGregor barge. Top speed is close to 18 MPH (as good as the three blade prop) while 4,000 RPM cruise and get-up-and-go is much better. Top RPM is about 5,800ish (redline 6,000). It could be depitched a little, but I have other things more important to attend to. We have two seasons of wakeboarding on the 4 blade prop; it would be difficult without the additional torque.

Victor

Victor,

Specifically, what prop do you have?

[vkmaynard]

11.8" dia x 9" pitch

Same as you are asking about.

[PeteC]

11.8" dia x 9" pitch

Same as you are asking about.

And thats the Solas Amita 4-Blade Prop, part 3313-118-09?

Where did you get it?

Thanks

[vkmaynard]

I purchased the prop at Water World in Durham, NC (919-596-8185) for about $110. The part number is 58134-zv5-009ah, see:

honda.ca/marine/images/Eng/2005_Props/2005_BF40-50_Props_English.pdf

Victor

[Frank C]

Pete C

It's a kind of late update to your question, but during some internet scanning today, I discovered that iBoats has the Solas Amita 4-blade props.

http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Store/dm/

I'm considering the Solas 4x13.25x13 for my Suzuki-60.

[Mikebe]

I have the Solas 4 x 11.8 x 9 pitch prop I bought to try out on my new M. I tested it once, but the Michigan Wheel 4 x 12 x 10 pitch worked better for me. I have no need for the Solas prop anymore...if your interested in a slightly used one, PM me.

[kziadie]

Mikebe,

Do you have the Alcup or Amita... I might be interested.

PS... I am the guy who passed you coming into the West River the weekend before memorial day. Pretty funny with the names, Sundancer and Raindancer.

Kelly

[Mikebe]

Hey SunDancer! I was wondering if you hung out on this site. The prop is the Amita...but sorry, someone may have already beat you to it. (Man that was fast).