Need help with a prop
 

I recently purchased a nautic star 2102 ultra with a Yamaha f150. It’s got a solas SS prop that’s got some beat up spots. I’m looking to have it repaired and repitched and would like to hear everyone’s opinion. Not sure what the pitch is but I’ll look in the morning. It turns about 5700 rpms and tops out about 40 on the gps. Any help would be appreciated. Also open to a new prop.

Find a local prop shop and have it repaired. Sounds like your prop is correct for your combination.

I din’t think much of larger Solas props.

The Yamaha 14-1/4” x 16” Performance 3-Blade SDS would be my first choice, Yamaha part # 6045972-00-00

This assumes a potential top speed of 42 MPH. If the existing prop is damaged, your 40 MPH top speed may be artificially low.

I found this performance report that suggests the top speed should be significantly higher, closer to 44 MPH

https://yamahaoutboards.com/en-us/ho...2014-11-04_occ

If this holds true for the boat in question, then a 17” pitch prop is going to be appropriate. Any of these three are worth trying:

14-1/4” x 17” Yamaha Turbo 1 (same geometry as the Performance 3-Blade, but uses different hub)
14-1/4” x 17” Reliance SDS
13-3/4” x 17” Yamaha Painted Stainless Steel

I feel your pain! I’m no prop expert like Tom but, based on my experience,40 @ 5700 is probably what you are going to end up with after experimenting. I think you can, in most cases, automatically deduct 4 or 5 mph from a comparable performance bulletin to get real world numbers, which is where you are. Others may disagree but that’s my opinion. And, with a prop not in top condition. Another issue that I’m currently dealing with is motor height - that can also affect performance. As far as Solas props go, I ran a 14-3/4 x 21 for 10 years with pretty good results. Probably not the best but I would have no problem reworking the prop you have and moving on!

Trust me those Yamaha props will beat the solas by 2 or 3 MPH's.

Been there and done that.

Thanks everyone for the reply’s. I just checked. It’s a solas 14 1/4 x 17. So I guess it’s the right size. It’s not that bad but has several pretty good spots where someone has obviously hit something. I was going to bring it to a prop shop and have it repaired but was thinking i might be better off with a new prop. The guy I bought it from said it was the original prop (he bought the boat new) but I know Yamaha never used that as original.

thanks again

I had that same exact prop when I bought my 21 foot bayboat new. They're cheap props. Thats why the dealer put it on there to save money.
Get them for around 300 or less on Ebay.
Merc and Yamaha props new that are way better cost closer to 500 or more. You get what you pay for.

I put the same size Yamaha prop and gained 3 mph's everywhere. Huge difference.

Yeah, I priced the Yamaha prop. North of $500.

if the boat ran 50 some MPH"s then 3 mph's wouldn't be worth money to me.

But low 40's to gain 3 mph's is enough of a performance upgrade to spend the money if it was me.

Some people get a prop from a vendor like Prop Gods that they can trade if it doesn’t work out. I’ve learned that all same size boats don’t react the same to prop adjustments. Go ahead, lol, spend the $500 - I’d love to find out if you gain 3 or 4 mph!

I’m probably going to just have the solas repaired. Not enough gain for me especially since I retired last month and not in that big of a hurry!😁

you low on RPMS to. The 150 makes speed all the way to 6000. Its one of the motors that's best propped to 6000.

It might, as well as the other two props I mentioned.

The Painted Stainless Steel has a pressed-in rubber hub, so it’s not as hard shifting, and it does fine on the F150.

The Turbo 1 is a square bore prop so you can use a Quicksilver Flo-Torq IV hub which is designed to alleviate the shift clunk and prop rattle you are experiencing.

Found and purchased a used (barely) Yamaha reliance SDS 14.25 x 17. After I get it I’ll let you know how it does. Thanks for everyone’s help

Again thanks to Tom and everyone else who chimed in on the prop selection for my boat. Bought and installed a Yamaha SDS 14.25 x 17. Zero prop chatter, vastly reduced clunk in and out of gear and WOT exactly 6000 rpm @ 41.8 mph on gps. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again!

That's with 4 adults and full fuel...69 gallons

Thats good numbers. 4 people and full fuel. Light boat you should see 45 easily.

I appreciate your help earlier.