Results 1 to 16 of 16
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Thomasville, Georgia
    Posts
    63

    Solas 4 blade on a PT185?

    Before i order a new prop I would like to know if anybody already running the one I want. So I don’t waste money

    guessing!

    I have a 2002 Tracker Pro Team 185 with the Mercury 90 2 stroke. Right now running 3 blade Mercury 12.75 x 21

    aluminum which gives me 5500 rpm full gas and me. 3rd hole.

    Anybody out there running a Solas 4 blade Rubex 12.5 x 19? 12.5 x 21? What rpm you end up with.

    (No, i did not see this set up in sticky above).

    Thanks in advance.
    Last edited by LT4247; 06-22-2020 at 06:16 PM.

  2. Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    543
    #2
    Not sure if the Rubex shares the same geometry, I tried an Amita4 on my PT175 with 60hp and wish I hadn't, it let loose far too easily compared to the other two props I have tried on my setup.
    2011 Tracker PT 175 TF
    2011 Merc 60 ELPT 4S

  3. Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Colleyville, TX
    Posts
    575
    #3
    I know its not the same but my fishing buddy has the Solas 4 blade stainless on his PT175 with the Mercury 4 stroke and it has performed much better than the stock aluminum. He has not bothered to raise his engine to the 3rd hole and it still out performs the old aluminum prop.
    Joe B

    2017 Tracker PT 190 TX
    2017 Mercury 115 Pro XS
    Mercury Spitfire X7 19” prop
    51 mph @ 6240 rpms (RPMs from Vessel View Mobile) : full fuel tank and fishing load by myself
    4.2 second Hole Shot (measured using Vessel View Mobile)
    Engine mounted in 3rd hole
    Minn Kota Ulterra-Link w/built in MDI 80 lb thrust 60” shaft
    Humminbird Helix 12si Gen1 chirp on console
    Humminbird Helix 15si Gen4 cho on bow
    Humminbird Mega360

    Dotline two step transom boarding ladder
    Tracker trailer bow boarding step

  4. Member rtlgator's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Gainesville Fl
    Posts
    2,537
    #4
    Interested with your results if you do it, I have a 2005 PT 185 with 90 elpto with solas ss 13x21 cupped, motor is mounted second hole down. I have no problems with my setup and speed (gps 44-45) @5500 is all I need.....

  5. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    South Point OH
    Posts
    5,362
    #5
    Got a solas 4 blade aluminum 21p on my 90 HP optimax that I am going to try out this evening.

  6. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Fort Collins, CO
    Posts
    56
    #6
    How did it perform?

  7. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    South Point OH
    Posts
    5,362
    #7
    Holeshot improved over the laser 2 I was using but I was only able to get 38 mph out of it, the river was pretty choppy though.

  8. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Thomasville, Georgia
    Posts
    63
    #8
    At what RPM? Did it go down much? Stay the same? What the WOT range for a 90 Opti?

    Quote Originally Posted by bassfisher444 View Post
    Holeshot improved over the laser 2 I was using but I was only able to get 38 mph out of it, the river was pretty choppy though.

  9. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    South Point OH
    Posts
    5,362
    #9
    RPMs didn't change much I can run both of them at 5800 RPM which is the max for my engine, any higher will set the alarm off.

  10. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    South Point OH
    Posts
    5,362
    #10
    I am going on a trip next week so I will be doing some more testing.

  11. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Thomasville, Georgia
    Posts
    63
    #11
    Interesting. Thanks.

    Quote Originally Posted by bassfisher444 View Post
    RPMs didn't change much I can run both of them at 5800 RPM which is the max for my engine, any higher will set the alarm off.

  12. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Thomasville, Georgia
    Posts
    63
    #12
    UPDATE!
    I was able to locate a used Solas 4 blade aluminum in 12.5x19 but not the 21”. So i bolted it on and went for test run. 19” ain’t doing it! RPM increased to 5800-5900 WOT with some trim. Only 40.3 mph gps. Surprised at that because the general consensus is when adding a blade you need to go down 1-2” in pitch. Not so with my set up. The 12.5x21 4 blade will most likely be at 5500 rpm same as the 3 blade 12.75x21” and may be just fine. I guess the rake or cup isn't aggressive enough on the Solas. I don’t know.

    I do know the 19” Solas 4 blade is not near enough prop for a PT185 with Mercury 90 2 stroke. Plus i wasn't impressed with the handling and it blows out real bad on hole shot and in turns. Conclusion: I don’t think I will order a new Solas 4 blade in 21”. Just wasn’t impressed at all.

    Note: I have run a Piranah 4 blade composite for years and it out performs the Solas easily. Maybe i just buy some new blades (i have a broken one) and just keep running that. At 5300 rpm i get 43 mph out of it. Cruise is 3800 @ 30 mph right where I am 90% of the time. Its smooth with no blow out. Stainless props are just too heavy and rattle so bad on the 90 it sounds like it self destructing! So i run lighter props.

    Hope this helps ya’ll out!
    Last edited by LT4247; 06-26-2020 at 06:37 PM.

  13. Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Lakeland, Florida
    Posts
    2,313
    #13
    If your prop rattles, it aint on right

    I have a 2002 Merc 90 2 stroke on my PT 185 XT with a Mercury X7 Spitfire 12.7x19 SS 3rd hole up and it runs fine.
    No rattle. no blow out, amazing hole shot, 5200 rpms wot. Handling to me is great, you can turn around and pick up your hat before it sinks, can't ask for much more than that. But every setup is different.

  14. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    South Point OH
    Posts
    5,362
    #14
    Prop rattle depends on what hub you use. A solid rubber hub will rattle more than a flow torque design.

  15. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    South Point OH
    Posts
    5,362
    #15
    Quote Originally Posted by Crappie Bob View Post
    If your prop rattles, it aint on right

    I have a 2002 Merc 90 2 stroke on my PT 185 XT with a Mercury X7 Spitfire 12.7x19 SS 3rd hole up and it runs fine.
    No rattle. no blow out, amazing hole shot, 5200 rpms wot. Handling to me is great, you can turn around and pick up your hat before it sinks, can't ask for much more than that. But every setup is different.
    What kind of speed are you getting with that setup?

  16. iNCORRECT pOLITICALLY
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Little Rock, AR
    Posts
    10,165
    #16
    I get a little rattle out of the stainless Powertech at idle on my 75hp 4-stroke but I think that has more to do with how the factory gear case is shimmed than anything. They all have a little play in them for when the innards expand with heat. Just a standard rubber hub on the prop.
    2023 Xpress H18 with 115 SHO and Powertech NRS4 21p
    8" Bob's Action Jack
    Garmin Echomap 12, 10, 9, and LVS34 networked with Netgear Switch
    Ultrex
    Trick Steps and Ramp N Clamp
    Pulled by a 2016 single cab HEMI Ram

    The school of hard knocks is a rough way to be educated!