Solas Pump vs Skat Pump Quality

[brapperdoodle]

Not asking which is better, Im just trying to understand the difference in cost and quality between the two. Im interested in the 144mm pumps and from what I understand, The Solas unit is fully stainless steel and weighs around 8 pounds. I have read some comment that it is important to use quality bearings and have the unit assembled and trued for best results. The Skat-Trak unit on the other hand, from what I understand is an OEM aluminum housing that has been bored and has a stainless steel stator section pressed in. It weighs around 4 pounds but, I've read of these housings cracking and although they might have fixed this problem, I can still understand that boring and pressing something into aluminum could cause stress issues in this case. So Im curious why there is such and extra cost in the Skat pump? Extra cost of machining? I know some of you will say "Get the Solas and save money, you'll never know the difference" but Im looking for some real information on what the actual difference is. Im new to jet pumps so I'm still trying to understand the dynamics of the unit as a whole

 

[Jr.]

As your doing your research, look beyond “skin Deep” Construction methods is one thing.
Also look into the science of the stator and vein design......... also keep in mind one is the originator, the other is a competitors copy . There is way more than meets the eye!

 

[brapperdoodle]

As your doing your research, look beyond “skin Deep” Construction methods is one thing.
Also look into the science of the stator and vein design......... also keep in mind one is the originator, the other is a competitors copy . There is way more than meets the eye!

Absolutely! It’s getting hard nowadays to find solid information due to the pollution of information and tremendous amount of endless forums, threads within, and folks having a good ol’ Pissing match. Haha so I’m looking but it’s hard to find solid info. Any direction you could point me to finding real info would be greatly appreciated! I hate to feel like a newbie on the forum and asking directly for someone to tell me the answers... I’m trying to learn myself

 

[Goldfishnado]

I assumed a big cost factor was the fact that Skat is an American family-owned company going on 60+ years while Solas is based in Taiwan (founded in the 80's) yet they both have their own research and development departments. I would assume Skat follows more strict ISO standards in their manufacturing compared to Solas which may or may not mean anything.

 

[JKMike]

One question is how similar is the solas stator to the skat? If it's basically a direct copy just save yourself the money and get the solas.

 

[Wetbuffalo]

I assumed a big cost factor was the fact that Skat is an American family-owned company going on 60+ years while Solas is based in Taiwan (founded in the 80's) yet they both have their own research and development departments. I would assume Skat follows more strict ISO standards in their manufacturing compared to Solas which may or may not mean anything.

I don’t think either are following ISO standards.

 

[Goldfishnado]

I don’t think either are following ISO standards.

Their website says, Skat-Trak is certified as meeting requirements of ISO 9001:2008 for the following: “The Production of Stainless Steel and Aluminum Castings and Machining.”

Doesn't mean the props will be perfect though

 

[Wetbuffalo]

Their website says, Skat-Trak is certified as meeting requirements of ISO 9001:2008 for the following: “The Production of Stainless Steel and Aluminum Castings and Machining.”

Doesn't mean the props will be perfect though

True I was going to say who ever is bending the props needs to put the crack pipe down.