There is a washer that is at the back of the prop -- and it rides on a beveled surface where the shaft goes from the size of the splines, to the next larger size as it enters the lower unit.
On mercruiser props the prop rests against that washer -- it is called a "HUB-thrust" on the Doug Russell parts site -- on there they are about $25.00. I assume they are needed for all mfgr of props on a mercruiser lower unit --

The thrust hub was still there, that's the only piece they left. I did find the original prop nut in my backyard, so I know how they snuck in and out with no one noticing. The Solas showed up today and it looks like I have everything I need to mount this puppy Saturday morning before I leave for the lake.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Now, about that doberman...

Did you get the 14.125" X 19P?

What elevation do you run at?

What engine/drive do you have?

Let us (well me, 'cause it's all about me!) know how that works out for you.

Yes, I got the 14.125 X 19. The lakes in MO and IL where I will be boating are anywhere from 400 - 900 feet elevation, so nothing too major. Engine is a 5.0 MPI mated to an Alpha 1 Gen 2 drive with a 1.62:1 drive ratio. The boat is 22 feet long and should weigh about 4400 lbs with our typical load of fuel, people and gear.

With the Mercury Offshore Series 14" X 17Pitch 4 blade on there I was hitting 5400 RPM and 54 MPH (Speedo) at WOT. This was with a full tank of gas but only 2 people on board, we were in about a 6-12" wind blown chop at about 625' above sea level.

We're heading out on Saturday so I will post my results as long as the rain holds off.

Thanks. I am looking at re-propping too and that info will help me decide.

When my friend got his semi-stolen Four Winns back from the guy who 'test drove' it, it was missing a bunch of stuff, the prop was one item. It was a rebuilt that I'd bought for it, and I still had his old prop. He had a buyer wanting to go for a ride so I told him I'd get the old prop & pick up new hardware for it. When he showed up with the boat I was surprised that the thief left the thrust washer AND the nut & lock...?

Thieves suck. Still remember last year almost sinking our new boat because some donkeyhole took my plug while the boat was parked in the lot...

We have a High Five that we use on the boat when we are doing watersports or have a heavy load. There was no spare when I bought the boat, so I picked up a used Mirage Plus on Ebay for $150. The boat is never stored with the High Five on it, and it only takes a few minutes to change it out.

The three blade could use a tuneup, but I don't want to spend the money in case it gets stolen.

We store the boat covered outside in the winter in a locked storage lot. I take the outdrive off for the winter, mostly to avoid it being stolen...

Hope you catch your thief!

Has that occured in your storage yard? I keep my boat outdoors, in a locked storage lot also, and my DP is on the back of it with the SS props also. I've given thought to taking the props off for the winter, but not the drives.

Frantically -> They left the nut? That's weird. I did find my old nut in the backyard. They must have dropped it while they were sneaking away.

DeepV -> Well after a day on the lake I have mixed feeling on the Solas. With the 14.125" X 19P 4 blade my engine is still hitting 5400 RPM at WOT which is too high, the top speed was lower than I expected as well, at only 46, but I did have about 300 more pounds in the boat. Cruising in the mid-range was improved over the old prop as the boat will hold a 26 MPH cruise at 3200 RPM where it would require 3500 before. The holeshot suffered a bit as well, but only slightly. I was still able to pop my friend right up on his slalom ski, he weighs about 175 lbs, tubing at 20 - 24 MPH was fine as well.

At this point I am thinking I will end up purchasing the Vensura (or a used Offshore Series 4 blade) in a 19P before next spring, and the Solas will be my spare.

May I suggest you watch out about getting a Offshore series if you want middle rpms performance.

seabuddy -> Yeah, I know what you mean about the mid-range performance with the Offshore. The 17P Offshore I had would need 3500 RPMs to cruise nicely, but it also had a top speed 6 MPH higher.

How does the Vensura stack up to the Offshore Series 4 blade?

I think of it as a re-named Offshore. That may be too simple, but that's what I do.

Well, that's the way they look to me too, but I've only been at this boat thing for a little while.

I'm going to give the Solas a few more trips out before I decide if it is truly going to be a spare.

TimBob, just wondering, did you get the Solas Titan 4 or the Solas Rubex HR4? Is there a difference in the blade design or just in the hub system?

I have read the Titan is a knock-off of...or at least very similar to the Vensura...don't know if any truth to that, do you? I see you are considering a Vensura so I will be very curious how the 2 compare if you do.

athiker -> I went with the HR4, and the box specifically says that is improves efficiency and speed in mid-range cruising, and that is exactly what it does. The box also lists a "Luxor L4" in the Rubex line which they claim is designed for top-end performance, you might want to give one of those a try.

If the Vensura really is just a renamed Offshore Series, there is no comparison between the HR4 and the Merc prop. They seem to be built for completely different applications and both perform well in their intended application (cruising-HR4 vs. top-speed runs-Offshore.) With the Offshore my boat would not hold plane at 3000 RPMs, with the HR4 I am cruising at 24 - 25 MPH. The Offshore would also push the boat to 51.7 MPH with 4 adults, with the HR4 I am at 46.4.

While I miss the top-end, I enjoy the fuel savings of the improved mid-range since that is where I spend most of my engine time anyway. It's too hard to hear the stereo above 30 MPH