Boat Propeller Brands Part Six: Solas Propellers
Solas Propellers has been in business since 1985 and produce aluminum props and stainless steel boat propellers for outboard motors and sterndrive boats. They also make impellers for personal watercraft. They constantly strive for improvement thru an outstanding research and development team that does all aspects of R & D including a huge amount of testing of their propellers on boats in the water. Solas uses a squeeze casting process to produce aluminum propellers that are stronger and more durable than the old traditional casting process other boat prop companies are still using today. Solas props have four coats of paint on them which ensures their propellers have excellent anti-corrosion quality. Solas stainless steel propellers have the highest amount of chromium, nickle and molybdenum for resisting rust than any other propeller maker.
Solas offers two lines of boat propellers that have the same blade designs, diameters and pitches but the hubs are different. Solas Amita propellers have a rubber cushioned hub installed at the manufacturer so all you need to do is slide it on the propeller shaft and secure it using the prop hardware that you already have. This is the simplest and most popular hub system. Solas Rubex propellers, like alot of other propeller makers are doing now, need a hub kit to be put in them by the boat owner and they are sold seperatly. They are not any cheaper than the Amita one piece props and you have to learn how to and take the time to install the hub parts yourself which a lot of boat owners do not care to do. The Solas one piece Amita line of boat props easier and more popular than the Rubex line but both are excellent propellers. To make it easier to find the right prop we’ve added a prop finder to each of our engine series propeller sections click the link to the engine type you have to order: Solas Mercury – Mercruiser propellers , Solas Yamaha propeller , Solas Evinrude – Johnson , Solas Suzuki prop , Solas Honda props , Solas Volvo Penta propellers and Solas Nissan – Tohatsu boat propellers
Boat Propeller Brands Part Five: TurningPoint Propellers
TurningPoint Propellers make aluminum and stainless steel boat props for all brands of outboards and sterndrives. The company has been in the propeller business for almost 20 years now and is currently produciing their third generation of boat propellers. They are a very innovative company that has come out with some great new products over the years. They were the first after market boat propeller manufacturer to have their own hub kit system after Mercury Marine came out with the Flo Torq hub kit in the late 1990’s. They were also the first propeller company to design aluminum propellers with all the characteristics of performance stainless steel props. For the first time in history aluminum boat props performed similar to the stainless steel props and they cost alot less money. Needless to say I sold a great number of these propellers because they work so well.
The current line of Turning Point props now feature the Mercury square hub Flo torq style hub kit system so if you have the mercury system you can buy the TurningPoint propellers and use the Mercury hub kit.
The TurningPoint three and four bladed aluminum and stainless steel propellers are some of the best performing boat propellers you can put on your boat. We have been selling these propellers for close to 10 years now and have had very few complaints about the performance or quality of these props. You can exchange your TurningPoint propeller if the pitch size is not working out right for you for a small exchange fee and you deal directly with them which is a nice selling point for their propellers.
We offer these top performing and quality TurningPoint boat propellers at super low discount prices so place an order with us for one and you will glad you did.
Boat Propeller Brands Part Four: PowerTech Propellers
PowerTech propellers started up making boat props in 1986. They worked out of a small production shop located in Shreveport Louisiana producing performance propellers for small outboard motors. Soon afterwards they began expanding their line of props over time to include bigger and bigger boat propellers for the bigger motors.
Today they produce high quality all purpose aluminum and stainless steel props for all the modern engine applications. They have also created a new revolutionary hub system called the CushionLok hub.
PowerTech is now famous for having the largest number of specially designed propellers offered by any boat prop manufacturing company.There is a tremendous aray of blade designs each with a specific performance function for what the boat owner would like to achieve. They offer boat propellers in 3, 4 and five blades and have both satin and polished finishes in their stainless steel propeller line.
PowerTech customer and dealer service is second to none. You can call them up and talk to one of their Tech professionals who will give you the best recommendation on what boat prop would best fit your needs.
As a dealer of PowerTech props, I depend on thier expertise propellers to sell the right props to my customers. And if for some reason the boat propeller a customer buys from me does not work out right, PowerTech has an exchange policy. For a small fee, they will take back the prop so long as it is not damaged or scratched up and exchange for a different pitch size that should be the correct one.
PowerTech’s goal is to provide the best product quality, performance, selection and service in the propeller industry. I have been selling PowerTech props at the lowest prices for many years now and I believe they have achieved this goal and then some.
Boat Propeller Brands Part Three: Quicksilver Propellers
Quicksilver propellers are a part of the Mercury Marine brand of boat props. Mercury has two separate lines of propellers that are basiclly the same props in each line. It’s not clear why they have done this. The Black Max line of props are only offered at the Mercury Marine service dealer level to customers and the Quicksilver line of propellers are sold by internet and non service dealers. It is my understanding that for both lines they use the same basic molds. The only difference is what is shown on the side of the prop in between the blades on the barrel part, vent holes, their sizes and maybe some minor more or less cupping of the blades. They seem to both have the same quality of material, finish and similar performance.
Here are the Black Max boat propeller models and the Quicksilver counter part propellers. The aluminum Black Max prop is the aluminum Quicksilver Black diamond prop. Black Max stainless steel Vengeance boat propeller is the Silverado in the Quicksilver line. The Laser Two Black Max propeller is the Quicksilver Lightspeed boat prop. Mirage Plus Black Max is the Quicksilver Thunderbolt. The High Five Black Max is the QST5 Quicksiver. And the Tempest Plus is the Torrent Quicksilver prop.
Even if the Black Max Boat props are a little better they will cost you more money than the Quicksilver props and there is not that much difference if any in quality and performance between the two lines for most boaters to notice or care about. So I think the Quicksilvers are a better deal because you can get a great Mercury boat propeller and save yourself a good amount of money, especially when shopping on our site: Dan’s Discount Boat Propellers
Boat Propeller Brands Part 0ne: Michigan Wheel Propellers
When I first got into the boat propeller business in 1993, Michigan Wheel propellers were my first brand of props I sold. And for my first four years in business they were the only brand I sold. I have been selling them now for 21 years and have been very happy with their line of boat props in aluminum, stainless steel and inboard nibral propellers.
Michigan Wheel has been around for a few years. 110 years to be exact, since 1903. They have survived world wars, the great depression, competitors and all the other things along the way that could have made them go out of business but they went through all of that and they are a strong and modern company today. Michigan wheel is a true boating industry icon and I am proud to be a dealer of thier propellers.
Today they make boat propellers that fit all modern engine brands and horsepower and have three and four blade propellers. They also make larger bronze and nibral propellers with three, four and more blades for larger boats and all the way up to large ocean going ships. For outboard and sterndrive pleasure boaters they offer both the factory rubber hub style prop that has been around for decades in the Michigan Match line and they also make the newer style square hub boat propeller that requires a hub kit ( that they also make ) to be used with the prop, that is the Michigan Vortex line.
They make great boat propellers and I hope I can offer them for sale for many more years to come.
Docking Your Boat
Coming into a marina filled with people without knowing exactly how to maneuver your single engine boat can be one of life’s least pleasant experiences. You feel like everyone is watching you while you attempt to dock your boat, and they probably are.
Vessels with two boat props are easier to handle, because you can reverse one propeller while putting the second in forward, thereby maneuvering around the most difficult obstacles. But docking a single engine boat does not have to be difficult. Why are so many boaters intimidated by it?
Docking a single engine boat could seem more of a problem because of its simplicity; it has one boat prop and it moves the boat forward and reverse. The problem is compounded by the perception among boaters that a boat with a single boat propeller is more difficult to handle. Without the tips you will get from reading this article, you may be driving your boat by instinct, and steer into the dock at an angle, then swing your helm over at the last second, and hope that you don’t collide with the dock or end up too far away and have to try again. That maneuver can be intimidating if the slip you’re aiming for is narrow and you have boats on either side of where you are trying to put your boat.
In forward and reverse the boat prop makes the stern move first when maneuvering. Power boats steer like cars. You turn the wheel left and the bow turns left. But the bow only looks like it’s doing the turning; it’s not, the stern is in charge. The bow is moving because it’s being pushed that way by the propeller—on the stern, pushing the water against the rudder, and the stern moves first. Just use the throttle at the lowest speed or very, very low speed. You will find out why next.
Pull your boat parallel to and a few feet from the dock. Parallel, not angled into it. Then put your helm all the way away from the dock. If the dock is to starboard turn the wheel to port, and vice versa for a portside approach. Now, put the gear shifter in forward for just a jew seconds and then put it in neutral. Then immediately put it in reverse for just a few seconds then put it in neutral again. Repeat this simple maneuver until you gently move the boat right next to the dock. You will notice an amazing thing. The boat appears to be pushed at the dock by some invisible hand. The short shifts of forward and reverse make for a smooth approach
Windy conditions can make docking more difficult but just use common sense and adjust you maneuvering to the conditions. If you still cannot get your boat to the dock ask for help if someone is close by.
Propeller Basic Terms
Here is a Propeller Glossary from your friendly Propeller Expert so we all understand what each of the terms mean and how it will make our boats faster; should you ever want a real propeller for your boat please don’t hesitate to check out our Dan’s Discount Boat Propellers website or call us at 1-800-573-5533 M-F
Propeller
Has a center hub with attached blades placed so that each forms a spiral surface, it is used to propel a ship or boat. By its rotation in water, the propeller produces thrust by the blades, which creates forward motion.
Diameter
Is the distance from the center of the hub to the tip of the blade times two. It is also the distance across the circle that the propeller would make when rotating. The first number listed when describing a propeller is the diameter.
Pitch
Is the theoretical distance in inches, a propeller would travel during one revolution – assuming there is no “slippage” between the propeller blade and the water. The second number listed in the propeller description is the pitch.
Slip
is the difference between actual and theoretical travel of a propeller through the water. A properly matched propeller will move forward about 80 to 90 percent of the theoretical pitch.
Rotation
When viewed from the back of the boat, right-hand propellers rotate clockwise to move forward. Left-hand propellers rotate counter-clockwise to move forward.
Cup
Small curvature located on the trailing edge of the blade. A curved lip on the blades allows the boat propeller to get a better bite on the water. This results in less ventilation, slipping, and allows for a better take off.
Thru-hub exhaust Propellers
The exhaust gasses pass through the barrel part of the prop and out the back, without making contact with the blades. This gives a good clean water flow to the blades, resulting in good acceleration and hole shot.
Non thru-hub Exhaust Propellers
Are used on inboards using shaft drive propellers. Sterndrives and most outboards use through hub exhaust propellers.
Cavitation
Occurs when water vaporizes or boils due to the major reduction of pressure on the back of the propeller blade. Propellers can partially cavitate during normal operation, but excessive cavitation can result in physical damage to the propeller. The reasons for cavitation are inproper matching of propeller blade style to the motor, wrong pitch size and damage to the blade edges.
Ventilation
When surface air or exhaust gasses are sucked into the propeller blades, boat speed is greatly reduced and engine RPM’s climbs rapidly. This can result from hard tight cornering, too high of the motor mounting on the transom of the boat motor and by over trimming of the drive unit.
How to get your Boat to Plane Off Quicker
Even thou we sell mainly boat propellers, we are avid boaters as well and here is some advice we picked up: If you want your boat to get up and plane off quicker because it is too slow to do that or you want quicker starts to pull water skiers and or tubes & towables, you can do three things to accomplish that without having to re-power your boat or buy another boat with more power.
The first thing you can do is check out your propeller to make sure it is not damaged. A damaged boat prop can rob you of a lot of performance depending on how bad it is. You should find out what diameter and pitch your prop is and if it gets you in your recommended wide open throttle RPM (revolutions per minute) range for your engine. This RPM range is important because the most horse power for your engine creates is at a certain RPM and the range gives the boater a general area of RPM’s he can operate his boat at full speed without causing damage to his engine and to give him the most power and best performance his engine is going to make. Boat propellers can be thought of as gears. Different pitch sizes create different RPM’s all through the operating range. If you have too low of a pitch size prop you will over rev your engine at full speed causing possible damage to the engine. Too high of a pitch prop will cause the boat to take off slowly when you go full throttle from a standing start. You can use a lower pitch propeller for better take off, just do not go over your recommended wide open throttle RPM range at full speed. If you have a three blade propeller on your boat you can go to a four or even a five blade propeller to improve on the time the boat takes to get up on plane. For more information on boat props and how to prop your boat and also what kind of propeller you can use for quicker take offs, please read our articles “Boat Propeller Selection” and “Three, Four and Five Blade Propellers” found on our blog here.
The second thing you can do is put on some kind of hydrofoil to your cavition plate on your drive systems lower unit. These hydrofoils look like wings and are designed to help lift the stern of the boat at initial take off which makes the boat get up on plane quicker. They are made of either aluminum or some kind of composit plastic material. They come either as two separate wings you mount on the sides of the cavitation plate or as a one piece wing that goes all across the plate. We cannot really recommend the two piece hydrofoils because in quick hard turns they are known to snap part of the cavitation plate off, because of too much stress on the two seperate sides. The one piece hydrofoils tend to spread the stress all across both sides and damage from turning is greatly reduced. You mount them directly on to your cavition plate which is the flat plate above your boat propeller, usually by drilling 4 holes 1/4″ in diameter in the plate and then securing the hydrofoil with 1/4″ bolts and nuts. These hydrofoils generally word pretty well and get you boat planed off a little faster and they cost from under a hundred dollars to a maybe a few hundred dollars.
The third thing you can do is add trim tabs to your boat. These tabs are flat thin plates made out of aluminum and are usually 12 to 24 inches long and 6 to 12 wide, they do come in other sizes too depending on how big a boat you have and size you need to have them work right. They mount to the stern of the boat all the way down on the bottom on either side of the drive unit all the way out to the side of the boat. You drill holes through the stern and secure them with screws and silicone. At initial take off you have them angled down below the bottom of the boat so once you start going the water flows under the boat hull to the tabs which forces the water down at that point and thus raises the stern a little so you plane off faster. Once you are getting on to plane you adjust them up so they do not create a drag once you are going faster. You can also ajust the side level of the boat, once under way by adjusting the seperate sides. You can get trim tabs that adjust themselves using water pressure only and they work pretty well but there is not much boat side adjustment to them. The best ones are the hydraulic/electric tabs that you control right at the helm. They are more expensive and you have to install wiring and drill holes inside the boat and this is not really something most boat owners want to tackle so you need to also pay someone that knows what they are doing to do this for you.
You can use one, two or all three of these things on your boat. Start with the propeller first then maybe a hydroil and if it still is slow to plane, trim tabs. If your boat is 23 feet or longer you should have trim tabs on it any way no matter what so you have better control on how it rides on the water.
How Boat Propellers are Made
Most boat propellers made out of aluminum and stainless steel are produced in a similar way using a one piece cast system.
The manufacturing process starts out with melting down wax pellets, then the melted wax is injected into a master mold that makes a propeller shaped out of the wax once the wax cools down and hardens. A cylinder extension called the pour cup is also made the same way and is attached to the front of the wax propeller. This wax propeller can now be used as a pattern to make metal props.
This pour cup and propeller combination is then washed and rinsed to remove any oily substance. The wax prop is dipped into a vat filled with a non stick solution that is left on and coats the prop. Then the prop is submerged into a tank filled with water and silica sand. The prop is then put into a ceramic based mixture several times, after each time the prop is coated with sand. The prop is then dried with the use of fans.This process builds up a thick and hardened shell around the wax prop.
The wax propeller is now put into an oven where the wax is melted away leaving just the ceramic shell. The shells are fired in another oven to strengthen them. A worker takes the shell out of the oven and another worker pours melted liquid metal into the ceramic shell through the pour cup. Once the metal has cooled and hardened the ceramic shell is knocked away from the now formed metal propeller. The pour cup is then cut of the propeller. The propeller edges are ground down with a grinding wheel to smooth them and the rest of the prop is also ground down to get rid of any imperfections. The prop is then put into a bin filled with little vibrating polishers. This produces a shiny mirror type finish to the propeller. The production process is over now and the prop is inspected using a laser that checks for design conformity. If it passes it is boxed and sent out for sale.
The Early History of Boat and Ship Propellers
We are used to performance boat propellers today. However, the first generally known screw type propeller that was used on a boat dates back to 1826. It was made by a Czech-Austrian inventor Joseph Ressel. The boat propeller had multiple blades made out of bronze, that were fastened around a conical base and was installed on a small boat that was manually driven. He also is credited as being the first person to successfully use a screw propeller on a mechanically powered boat which was steam powered, in 1829. His ship called the “Civetta” achieved a top speed of about six knots.
In 1835 Francis Pettit Smith, an Englishman, accidentally discovered a better style of propeller. During the testing of a boat he was running in a canal, the blade snapped off, leaving behind a partial fragment shaped a lot like a modern boat propeller. The boat moved even faster with the damaged propeller! This is also probably the first time a boater was in need of a prop repair. Mr.
Smith helped organize the Propeller Steamship Company which in 1839 built the world’s first successful screw propeller steamship, SS Archimedes.
At about the same time Smith was testing his propellers, Frederic Sauvage, a French boat builder and John Ericsson, an American inventor and mechanical engineer had pending patients on propellers similar to Smith’s design so there is some question as to who really was the first to use a screw propeller on a ship. John Ericsson is known as the builder of the SS Monitor, the first iron clad warship in the United States navy. The Monitor and the Conferate States of America iron clad warship Virginia had their epic battle in 1862.
In 1845 there was a famous tug of war competition between the two English navy warships HMS Rattler a propeller driven steamship and HMS Alecto a paddle wheel steamer. The HMS Rattler won by pulling back HMS Alecto at a 2 1/2 knot speed. This established the propeller drive system as the best and most common system that is still being used to this day.
However, today we do recommend that you use a new high performance boat propeller – and what better place to buy one than here at Dan’s Discount Boat Propellers – we have boat props from the best boat propeller manufacturers including Solas props, Turning Point propellers, Quicksilver props, Powertech propeller, Turbo propellers and even Michigan Wheel propellers.
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