Hunter,
I'm a little confused by the post, since we spoke about this. I saw the pics you sent me after stating on the phone that you were wondering if we were trying to "pull a fast one" on you or not, and I confirmed that I don't run business like that, it is in fact my 11/17 Hooker, and explained the differences between the different pitches we offer.
I do appreciate your business, and I'll try to explain some of the questions you have again, and if there are any that are still not answered, please just ask me.
There are similarities to the Skat as well as the Solas. While we set out to make a better impeller specifically for bottom end and hook up compared to what is being offered, I didn't feel the need to scrap 25 years of experience just so that it "looks" different. When I was with Skat I took part in the development of some of the impeller designs, as well as the balancing and finishing process. It works quite well, and we use it here at Impros.
Fortunatley, we have good demand for the Hooker, and I make the call whether to send orders with our race finish (which is the same texture as the mirror), or wait for the polisher. I haven't had one complaint yet over finish (maybe contributed to the fact that the performance speaks for itself).
A lot of people want to "see" the difference between impellers. There are geometric differences in this impeller from others that you can't see, and certainly can't call because it also has a radial edge and is finished the same. They all basically look the same, but they're not. I made the root angle steeper (that's where the blade is basically attached to the hub), the blade profile transitions differently from others, and we changed the blade length between a few of the pitches we offer- because each is designed for certain applications.
We offer different pitches, to work with various applications. The reason people see a difference in the shape of the 9/15, 10/16 and 11/17 blades, is because the blade IS longer on the 11/17 and any pitch we make taller than that like a 12/18, or 13/19. As hoesepower goes up, more blade is needed to maintain efficiency. Just because they're made differently to work for the application, doesn't make one a Hooker and one not.
We set the impeller back 7mm compared to a Skat or Solas. This further improves pump efficiency, resulting in better "hook up" in jet wash, surf conditions, ect. For people that feel it hooks up too good(?), then they likely need a less agressive pitch. "Most" people benefit from the set back. If that isn't an option for a rider, then it is a lot cheaper to add a spacer for those few people than for most to pay us to machine the impeller to set it back in the pump. This gives you versatitily. You can move it up 1mm, 3mm, whatever you want without paying someone to machine it, and having down time from riding.
If you want to take a Skat or Solas and pay to have it pitched and set back like ours, you'll be into a lot more than what we get for the Hooker the way it comes, course we can't change the root angle. New Skat $240.00, repitch, finish, balance, machine -7mm, + $120.00- total $360.00.
I hope this helps. Please contact me with any further questions.
Respectfully,
David Stewart