BLOG MARCH 2024
A small problem has developed out of serving that one type of customers that everybody hates, the know nothing now it all.
In this case his name is bryan. Dealers, for his full name just call me at work. He came to us needing some correct rpm for his 225 honda on a 6.8m haines.
15 pitch 4 blade was the first trial 6300 at 31 knots,,IMPOSSIBLE not good so we super cupped this prop to a 16 pitch for free!.
The next trial came back at 6400 at 34 knots IMPOSSIBLE. turns out he removed 100kg of wieght at the same time without telling me.
17 pitch 4 blade is the next up 6300 at 36 knots IMPOSSIBLE reckons the prop was rubbish. i sold it last friday without a problem.
18 pitch 4 blade was next 58-5900 at 38 knots extreme light ships.
Ive done many of these combos and they pull 5600 at 39knots all day mainly to get mid range cruising speeds up higher.
The last straw was when Byran decided it was time to talk to me like shit. i hung up. I dont engage with this any more. Im just getting too old for it.
Now i am dealing with google reviews that he keeps revising and deleting my answers to him.
Well bryan here i can say and do as i please. dealers, mechanics repairers etc ring me as i can assure you he will bust ya balls soon.
the review has gone as it turns out, brynes boss is at our yacht club.small world it really is bryan .what a moron this guy is
cheers for now
michael and cheryl
2020 first catchup blog
Well didnt I just lose three months. With Christmas, a brilliant boating season, shifting Yantina out of fishing boat harbour and into Claremont yacht club
there just hasnt been time to blog it up. Propeller wise there is not alot of news. SOLAS have been contracted to make rubex system bushing for suzuki which
is terrific for SOLAS as it does not matter what you call it, its still SOLAS Made and a rubex bush system. Be mindful though that they retail for $85.00 at
you SOLAS dealer and who knows how much from suzuki. $272.00 I have heard. Which probably leads me towards this shopping around that customers are
partaking in. Sure, if SOLAS is a stand alone manufacturer and we lose a sale for $10.00 I always wonder if the buyer sees the lack of warranty, second rate of the castings and the soft bushings used as to why they are cheaper. No.Please dont go for the cheapest. They fail without warning and there is no comeback.
BUY SOLAS EVERY TIME FOR PEACE OF MIND.
Carrying a spare propeller. This topic has come up alot recently as customers come in to buy or have a propeller repaired. It seems as though rescue groups
are exercising the right to charge you $200.00 or so if your propeller fails and you dont carry a spare. Stands to reason really. You dont drive across the country with a spare tyre so a spare prop seems rational. We have decided to reduce the price dramatically on our XCOMP composite propellers to fill this void.
So come on in with your propeller size (written on the prop) and we can sell you a get home spare complete with a SOLAS bush for as little as $125.00. This is
way under retail price and is just a small way that Just Propellers WA is putting back int othe Industry.
Cheers for now
Michael and Cheryl
December blog 2019
Busy start to the month with final fitups on new vessels happening as well as touchups and repairs to get
our clients through the Summer. One thing I think needs to be spoken about is the pitch and prop exchange
system we started in Perth over 10 years ago. It works really well as long as the questions I ask are answered
correctly then we mostly get the propeller correct first time.
Got a client at the moment who has made a total gaff of it which we eventually got to the bottom of things,
mainly because every propeller does not rev to 5000 as he said. We will sort it out eventually.
We have just started advertising with PERTH FISHING TV and I must say, to date are very happy with
the two short video clips that Steve has put together. Stay tuned for more to follow.
The silly Season is upon us again. We are not sure of Our opening hours yet but we will keep you informed.
Cheryl and I wish you all the best for 2020 and beyond
Merry Christmas
SEPT/OCT BLOG 2019
Hello again. It has been some time since Ive actually had the time to write on here. With Perth
International boatshow and stock orders coming in hard and fast, I have just plain run out of time.
The show. Well I must say the timing, venue, weather and attitudes of my fellow exibitors was excellent.
It was fairly evident from day one that it was going to be a quiet sales show as ,well, I dont like doing
this, making it political but i think its true. We have a federal government that just seems to float around
the shirt tails of the U.S.A. not even considering implementing online tarrifs and duties to other countries that
wish to steal our sales and well the State Government that is hell bent on getting a trainline out to Gnangara
no matter the cost, to get people into the city where there are no jobs anyway!
Back to Propellers. SOLAS owners came for a flying visit last weekend with a list of new products for 2020.
I am sure that these additions,to be highlighted in the future, will help in making a more complete list to supply to the market.
SOLAS .Totally commited to being the most ennovate developer of propellers in the world.
On ever too common note, I just had a customer ring about a failing original equipment prop for a mercruiser. I immediately
recognised his voice from two weeks ago. He ended up going done south of Perth to a dealer and saving 18.00 on a v6 propeller
only to find it performed like rubbish. Well needless to say I reminded him that his drive to on prop may not have been the best idea.
Its easy to look at my prices online and cut them marginally to gain trade but have you told them,
"ITS NOT A SOLAS "? ASK FOR SOLAS BY NAME. YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED.
The XCOMP propellers are being testing in Exmouth and Kununurra on the 50 horsepower range at
present with initial signs being very good. The blades seem to be a little stronger that we first thought and the mild
cupping to the blade has made performance noticeable too.
Well thats it for now.
cheers
Michael and Cheryl
AUGUST 2019 BLOG
Hello again. It has been a busy time of year at present, getting new lines in for the Summer ahead, ordering
properly as to have enough stock for when the seasons finally change. Its been exciting.
The new XCOMP composite propellers have finally arrived in Osborne Park and they are much better than
we expected. Feel free to drop in or call me to discuss the finer details of these basically, plastic Propellers
that you can change the blades on extremely easily and at a very low cost.
We will be running directly out of our Osborne Park premises on this product. Included with the complete kit
is a 5 kg Aust Post express bag to anywhere in Australia. The propellers come in three sizes;
C CATEGORY 30-60 HP 13 SPLINE FOR HONDA, YAMAHA, SUZUKI AND MERCURY.12,13 AND 15 PITCH
D CATEGORY 50-140HP 15 SPLINE FOR ALL ENGINES except omc USING RUBEX BUSH KITS.15,17 AND19 PITCHES
E CATEGORY 75-280 HP 15 SPLINE FOR ALL ENGINES USING RUBEX BUSH KITS15,17,19 AND 21 PITCHES
BLADES CAN BE BOUGHT IN A 1 OR IN A 3 PACK
REAR CAPS ARE SOLD AS SPARES AS WELL
We are very excited about these alternative propellers even if they only become a spare to the original propeller.
We feel that these XCOMP propellers fit in with Our range whereby JUST PROPELLERS WA can be seen
as carrying only premium Propellers available on the market today and not just the cheapy brands at bargain
prices dumped on the market today.
Cheers for now
Michael and Cheryl
CATCHUP BLOG TO JULY 2019
Hello again, well its been a busy few months whereby the blog has been the last thing on our minds but
sorry if you missed it. Its been madness around here. With new products arriving through SOLAS and of
course our announcement of a new EXCLUSIVE Distributorship Australia wide we are all go here.
XCOMPKOREA, is a casting company out of Korea. They have chosen us to wholesale/retail their product
throughout Australia. We are so happy to have an extra string to our bow now with a product not new to the
market but surely a very modern and enovative version of this product that we are sure it will be a success.
Our first order leaves SEOUL in days so we will begin the task of spreading the word to all that are interested.
Composite propellers. These have been tried in the passed as we said, but looking at this design, structure and
innovating design features, we are sure they will do well.
Feel free to call me to discuss possible sub dealerships around Australia as well as on selling and retail
opportunites are available.Feel free to google XCOMP for their interesting website and description of their product.
cheers for now
Michael and Cheryl
FEB-MARCH 2019 BLOG
Basically Ive just lost a month because we have been so so busy. Sorry about that. I havent alot to report this month
only to give a better indication of which direction Just Propellers WA will be heading into the future.
We know that we;
Still only repair SOLAS and original equipment propellers
Warrant our product longer than any other Retailer in Australia
Actually use the word WARRANTY on our websites unlike others that avoid the word
will not rebush omc v6 propellers unless they are SOLAS made.
will not warrant a SOLAS propeller repaired anywhere else but here especially rebushing. They just dont fit.
will not swap, replace or return any SOLAS propeller unless faulty. it also has to be bought here at Just Propellers WA.
will be as polite to customers as they are to me.
will continue to supply the best product suited to your vessel based on information supplied to me.
will always practice pitch and prop exchange if the rules are adhered to.
I love my business and will do what it takes to get the best, SOLAS, in the water
cheers for now
Michael and Cheryl
JANUARY 2019 BLOG
Here we are almost January gone and Ive only got to the blog now. Busy times with school holidays and some pretty good
weather around , if you like wind, so the props have been flying out the door. Thanks for that.
Nothing surprising to report. We have had some really curly ones come through this early in the year, twin, triple and quad
setups with some very surprising combinations of props and gearbox rotations. All in a days work around here.
A few more details will have to be asked in future like rotations, combinations of rotations etc etc.
Whats new?. our online sales area is off to a good start. We are not aiming at going fully online as I am sure that propeller
advise is required more often than not so unless its just a direct replacement, I am happy to talk a client through it. The
Impeller, jetski housing and wear ring sales have been impressive with the site working well. They are at pretty good
prices, lowest in 10 years so its a good time to grab a spare.
Our pitch and prop exchange sytsem is working well but please remember that this doesnt mean you can come a buy any
propeller to try it say, just cos ya mate said it would work and expect me to exchange it. If I dont think your request is being
within the engines requirements, sure I will sell it to you but no exchange service will be supplied.
SOLAS.COM.AU is now up and running and will give the contact details of both of the Australian dealers and the areas
we cover. You can find this in the contact section.
cheers for now
Michael and Cheryl
DECEMBER 2018 BLOG
Hello again. This will probably be the last word for 2018 as its starting to pick up a little in the factory as well as sales.
I would say this is the slowest start to Summer for the whole time we have been in business with Just Propellers W.A.
The weather gods have definitely not been on our side this year with temps all over the place. But we move forward,
put various specials out there to entice a little bit of spending prior to Christmas.
Our SEADOO special listed on the site has proven very popular with the Liners and Impellers prices that are better
than the net and keeps the Aussie dollars circulating around Australia rather than supporting overseas. Try and find
a Liner and Impeller for $500.00au anywhere else, aussie taxes and import duties paid too.We will run this special until
stocks last. Then we may give Yamaha Impellers a bit of a run.
We will be Opening over the Christmas period on restricted times listed below.
FRIDAY THE 21 ST DECEMBER NORMAL (8.00 AM TO 4.00 PM)
MONDAY THE 24TH DECEMBER NORMAL OR UNTIL THE PHONE STOPS
THURSDAY THE 27TH DECEMBER NORMAL OR UNTIL THE PHONE STOPS
FRIDAY THE 28TH DECEMBER NORMAL OR UNTIL THE PHONE STOPS
WEDNESDAY THE 2ND OF JANUARY BACK TO NORMAL HOURS
Cheryl and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a Happy Festive Season with more properous
times ahead for you all.
Cheers
DECEMBER 2018 BLOG (2)
Hello again. Some exciting news from my website developer Brad. He has come up with a new style of website
for the selling and advertising of SOLAS items to be implemented on here within weeks and probably be
ready for first thing next year. So keep your eyes peeled for specials, slow moving stock bargains and maybe the
occasional non propeller item too.
We will be Opening over the Christmas period on restricted times listed below.
FRIDAY THE 21 ST DECEMBER NORMAL (8.00 AM TO 4.00 PM)
MONDAY THE 24TH DECEMBER NORMAL OR UNTIL THE PHONE STOPS
THURSDAY THE 27TH DECEMBER NORMAL OR UNTIL THE PHONE STOPS
FRIDAY THE 28TH DECEMBER NORMAL OR UNTIL THE PHONE STOPS
WEDNESDAY THE 2ND OF JANUARY BACK TO NORMAL HOURS
Cheryl and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a Happy Festive Season with more properous
times ahead for you all.
Cheers
NOVEMBER 2018 BLOG
Hello from Perth. I have had a hilarious week doing normal business in the factory only to have
one of my clients email me a copy of a specials sheet doing the rounds throughout Australia
from , you guessed it, the unceremoniously sacked ex solas dealer in Queensland with actual
photos of him in mainland chinese factories having original equipment propellers etc copied
and selling off as his own.
So the warning is, if you see products for sale with 'original design manufacture' or 'factory direct'
you will know very well that these are cheap unwarranted copies with little or no quality control,
warranty or backup service without repair capabilities. Enough on that ongoing tragic.
SOLAS are hard at work designing and re designing propellers with a couple of new ideas ready for
release next month so stand by. Us, we are fully stocked up with a new container arriving this morning
ready for the new season,albeit a very late start.
cheers for now
Michael and Cheryl
OCTOBER 2018 BLOG
Here it is the 9th of the month already and no blog from me yet. Well here goes. Its been a little busier
after the boatshow but as well all know the weather is the major factor in boating and peoples intensions
to get out on the water more often.
Every day I see another mobile marine mechanic break out on his own after doing a secure apprenticeship
at a dealership, only to last a few months then try to rejoin the workforce again. Its the same with propeller
shops. We see them coming into the market with aftermarket items that have not been tried and tested in
Australian conditions and time and time again we see massive failures in these copy products. Its to the
point that several rescue organisations when confronted with a propeller failure ask why you dont have a spare
and why you would risk a breakdown for a few bucks. I have heard of accounts being submitted for breakdowns
that actually are caused by sub standard equipment. So be careful and mindful of buying ALL gear for your vessel
that has a certain reputation and warranty as some do not.
Which leads me to the same old SOLAS rant.
WE SUPPLY A 5 YEAR WARRANTY , 7 YEARS ON SOME PROPELLERS, WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON CASTINGS
Show me another Company that puts that in writing.
cheers for now
Michael and Cheryl
SEPTEMBER 2018 BOATSHOW BLOG
Hello again. This years boatshow starts on Friday the 21 st of September and goes through to the Monday
long weekend. We are exhibiting again this year with SOLAS propducts, Fender Bouy mooring bouys and a new
suspension seat base made by Mike Edwards of Vent Right fame.
With this in mind boatshows need to be set up and manned so we will need to close for a few part days listed below;
TUESDAY 18 TH SEPTEMBER CLOSED TILL MIDDAY
WEDNESDAY 19TH CLOSING AT 1.30PM
THURSDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER CLOSED AFTER 1.30PM
FRIDAY 21 ST OF SEPTEMBER CLOSED ALL DAY (FIRST DAY OF THE BOATSHOW)
MONDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER LONG WEEKEND AT THE BOATSHOW.
Please keep in mind that my mobile still works and I can be reached at any time.
Cheers
Michael and Cheryl
SEPTEMBER 2018 BLOG
Busy month this. September always is. With the Perth International Boatshow on Show long weekend,
our boat Yantina's annual out of water survey due, its going to be a busy month. With this in mind we
will have to close at certain afternoons to set up Show stands and pull Yantina out of the water, so please,
do morning enquiries this month.
We have some exciting things at the show this year;
A mooring float for those with a mooring with the latest in anti dent technology fitted to it
SOLAS Bravo three stainless in 28 pitch on show
20 pitch SOLAS hr titan 4 blade stainless steel new to Perth
16 pitch SOLAS lexor plus 3 blade stainless steel also new to Perth
A suspension seat base designed and built by a friend of mine at Mikes machining
as well as the normal drink holders, free split pins and lollies.
Will see you all there
cheers
Michael and Cheryl
AUGUST 2018 BLOG
Back from the week off, fully refreshed with a double dose of Bali flu. Seems we didnt miss much though.
Cold windy with the normal August start for the passed three years. One thing we have noticed since getting
back is the way Product substitution is slowly creeping back into business. We have just had an $800.00 SOLAS
Hr titan 4 stainless propeller come down from up north that the client complained about a vibration through the
whole rev range after having the Propeller rebushed elsewhere in Perth. On inspection we found a Mercury
plastic drive sleeve with their thrust washer and rear drive spacer fitted to a SOLAS rubex drive. Sure, they
fit but when tightened, the plastic drive sleeve dollys around losely and doesnt grip the housing, coursing
out of round performance. So please note, SOLAS RUBEX bush kits work in Original equipment Propellers
bush their torque flow kits do not work in SOLAS Propellers.The only reason for this is that the O/E kits were
designed 30 years ago and rubex designs are 4 years old
thats all for now
cheers
Michael and Cheryl
JULY 2018 BLOG
Hello again.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE WE WILL BE CLOSING THE BUSINESS FROM THE 26TH OF JULY
UNTIL THE 3RD OF AUGUST, RE OPENING ON THE FRIDAY FOR BUSINESS AS NORMAL.
SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. CHEERS.
Busy time of the year with the end of financial year, winter down south and busy up north,
school holidays etc. Its all happening. Its a great time of the year to do all those rotten jobs around the
house, on the boat what ever goes when you cant go boating. My favorite is wheel bearings and steering.
Now back to propellers and the associated things that happen day to day. We are having a rush of
older propellers bought it that clearly havent had enough grease applied or even often enough. This is
a winter job. Takes 5 minutes to remove the propeller, grease the parts and refit it. With our new Rubex
bush system you need to check the nut for tightness regularly as this system grips the bush, not the
propeller, for gearbox protection and safety so the nut needs to be firm at all times.
The rubex system is so popular and successful that with all new ideas and upgrades there tends to be
someone that wants to make a buck out of it the easy way. The rubex bush has been copied via mainland
casting agents in China contacted by some very lose Australian businesses trying to make a buck the easy way.
Its illegal and dangerous to fit a plain packaged copy item to a SOLAS propeller that doesnt have the same specs
on the rubber drive for a start. Even down to the nylock nut using inferior nylon in its end.
So unless you get the distinct RUBEX dark blue carton with SOLAS and their patent number inprinted on the carton,
you are buying an inferior copy. They are not cheaper. As a matter of fact we supply these free with the purchase
of a Rubex Propeller as well as a spare insert with every Stainless purchase.
Ok back to the grind for us. have a good month.
cheers
Michael and Cheryl
MAY 2018 BLOG
Hello again. It is becoming more and more common for us to have problems with trial propellers being returned damaged.
This has always been a problem that people just dont seem to understand. When a propeller is supplied it is of the understanding
that a 30 minute or less trial will take place and if the propeller is not satisfactory, not damaged and can be resold as new, then it
will be exchanged for the correct propeller based on the data you achieve from the trial.
Now I have another yachty, he named himself on my google review so I guess its ok to mention Craig Baird of SOPYC wanting
to return a propeller with damage to all 4 blades and not have any consequences. A return fee of $45.00 , the difference between
the damaged propeller and the cheaper replacement propeller didnt seem to be a huge price to pay as I would need to reduce the
price to sell the damaged one. But good ol Craig seems hell bent on tarnishing my name with google reviews and a day on court.
Please, ask around the trade. We are the only Company that allows trials both to dealers and the public but if the trend continues
then we will have to consider stopping the service all together.
cheers for now
Michael and Cheryl
EXTRA MARCH BLOG 2018
Pretty rare that I get up on the soapbox this late in the month but there is quite a few things putting the Marine Industry down
at present and they dont seem to be getting any better. First off, we have a large dealer in Mandurah telling his now lost
customer that I charge $220.00 to rebush an alloy 60 horsepower propeller. Mate, thats the SOLAS price for a new 13 spline
propeller with a full 5 year warranty. We actually charge $83.00 but most of the mexican castings you sell cant handle the
5 tonne pressure and so fail.Then he tried to sell him some 4 blade alloy new thing for $380.00 with no mentioned
warranty at all. Best is the merc 4 blade doesnt even fit the clients gearbox without the new thrust washer that they dont supply!
Also when you tell a client that you are fixed price and wont do anything about it, THEY WALK ! cheers for the new customer.
He left here with the correct prop, a bunch stubbie holders and a promise to tell half of mandurah about you .
Until the Marine Industry stops stiffing eachother, we will sit behind the caravan sector as a group of fools. I went to a caravan
show once and asked a question, ' what makes your van better than that one". The answer still rings in my ears, ' that van is
good for what its made for, ours is better". enough said.
Second we have a serious situation with a changing of distributor in the Eastern States. I have no problem answering calls
from all over Australia, passing on information etc and the new numbers where to buy from over there now. Please understand
I have the only SOLAS stock holding in Australia at present so all propellers will come from here until stocks are delivered to them.
SOLAS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING supplies two dealers in AUSTRALIA
1. JUST PROPELLERS WA 1300 4 PROPS
2. ALL MARINE SPARES 1800 677 436
Simply ask for SOLAS by name. Its simple. Its marked on every box, propeller and carton they make so dont be fooled by people trying
to pass of cheaper copies of SOLAS items in the future.
Finally, I got called a price scalper earlier this year by a dealer that carries a solas made jet pump that I also carry. I had a little search
only to see on his website that he sells the pump for $2340.00 whereas I retail the pump for $1500.00 each. Go figure.
Cheers for now and happy easter
Michael and Cheryl
MARCH 2018 BLOG
Hello again,
during the last six months SOLAS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, the parent company, has been battling with the idea of changing
the Eastern State's distributor rights for their own reasons. Well, after many months of non compliance by the existing distributor,
it has happened. The new distributor of SOLAS products for all states accept W.A is;
ALL MARINE SPARES P/L
1800 677 436, 02 99972788.
All the best to Jason and his team. I am sure they will do SOLAS proud.
In the meantime, Just Propellers WA has the only stock holding in Australia so if you are from the other states, please be mindfull
that all sales are being supplied out of Perth at present, until AMS receives their stock direct from the Taiwan factory.
Back to Perth and the absolute devistating weather on the weekends lately. Its just killing boating this season and even making the
weeds grow quicker on my old boat sitting in the pen doing nothing. Make sure to give the bottom a scrub instead of a high speed blast
to remove growth. It will save your propeller bushes if you manually clean it rather than trying to drive it off.
Thats about all for now
cheers
Michael and Cheryl
FEBRUARY 2018 BLOG
Well hello again.January just seems such a blur now as it went so fast I didnt even attempt a blog. There wasnt much to
report only that we worked through most of Xmas and the new year because of a sickness in the family and the bloody wind
didnt help either. So it worked out ok for everybody.
February is a different situation. We are sad to announce that we, Just Propellers WA will not support, condone or back any
of the business dealings of the Eastern states SOLAS dealer and take no responsibility for their actions, accounts or dealings.
Not much can be said at this point but a huge change is about to happen with distribution to the other six states. We will keep
you informed the minute it all happens.
Yamaha. It can be said that SOLAS is now making in our factory, a range of yamaha propellers directly for yamaha in SOLAS
high chromium flexible stainless steel that should see them look and perform far better than a painted stainless propeller.
Well done SOLAS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING for being the premium producer of quality products in the marine Industry.
Thats all for now
cheers
Michael and Cheryl
