P2 or Sabre

[Cfergy]

I have been boat shopping for 2 months now and have decided I am going with BCB. I am having trouble deciding between a P2 and sabre. I want to see them both side by side to make this decision and have not found 1 dealer that has one of each on their lot yet. I have called dealers over 300 miles away trying to get this done and no help. I left 2 messages with basscat and havent returned my calls yet. Any advice? I am in Kentucky but willing to travel a reasonable distance to do this comparison. Beginning to become frustrated.

[Cajunhunter67]

It all depends on your budget, what are you wanting out of your rig, do you fish with a Co-angler often, how long are you going to keep the boat?

I had a 2011 Sabre FTD with the 175 Merc.

And now a 2016 PII with the 200 Merc / 2 stroke

The Sabre did everything I needed it too. It will also out handle the PII in tight curves running bayous. Live wells and front deck or nearly identical. The PII has more room in the Cockpit and the front deck is slightly longer. The PII does better in the rough stuff, crossing wakes and such.

Top end is very close on both. 69.4 in the Sabre and 72 mph in the PII.

Both sip fuel while cruising 45-50 mph with the Sabre doing slightly better. Where the PII shines is with a co-angler. Less side to side movement and the bow tends to sink a bit with two the front deck of the Sabre. Its noticeable.

The Sabre FTD can be had with the 150 making it more affordable. The 175 on the Sabre is only slightly faster than the 150, but the real benefit of the 175 is carrying a load. The PII of course is a rocket with the 200 and does well carrying a heavier load.

Hope this insight to both helps. Tried putting up pics but the site wouldn’t post them.

Don

[Cajunhunter67]

[Cajunhunter67]

There you go.

[CB_SabreFTD18]

I have an ‘18 Sabre FTD w/175 2 stroke.  It is a Rocket.  It does everything I need, and it will keep you dry in the choppy/rough stuff.  The key to it on big lakes (Rayburn & Toledo) is to keep the motor set low on the plate…like 3 5/8-3/4 PTP regardless of prop choice.  It will run side by side with some other brand 20 footers if the wind isn’t too bad.  It is a weapon if you fish shallow.  The wind does blow me around easily offshore because the boat it very light in weight, so a Spot Lock TM would be helpful.  Mine will touch 70 with a 24 Fury, and it runs 68.5–69+ solo with full fuel with any prop I have depending on jackplate height.  It’s a bad little dude for an 18’1 boat.

the P2 is a foot longer, same layout, and it will roll with a 200.  Basically, it’s a Sabre on steriods.  I love my Sabre FTD, but if you can swing a P2 go for it.  The only thing I’m missing on my Sabre is 1’ and a 200 on the back.  That P2 will smoke the tires and embarrass some other brand 20 footers.

[Cfergy]

Thanks for the input. Made some calls and looked at thousands online LOL.  Think ive decided on P2 if it will fit in my 19×20 garage(I have my current 18’10” Javelin in there now). Now to decide color. It appears to be a daunting task so far. Leaning toward Charcoal with a touch of sapphire. Any opinions? Its hard tell the colors well online.

[JEH in La]

You’re making the right decision to go with the P2 in my opinion. To be clear, I am a P2 owner and it is a great all around boat.  Nothing wrong with the Sabre at all but if you can afford the P2 it will fit you for many years where you just might out-grow the Sabre. Both are great boats.
Now about color……can you get to a dealer nearby?  They should have samples of all gel coat colors so you can mix and match on the spot. If not, then there are “area reps” that certainly have the color kits on hand for use at dealers or boat shows.  Ask around and you should be able to see them in person.  Good luck with your colors. That is the fun part about ordering your new boat.
Charcoal and Saphire will mix well too.

[Cfergy]

Thanks Jeh, There is a dealer about 60 miles from me. Ill give them a call about the color kits. Charcoal and sapphire is how i have one built now and looks good on the page just need to see in person.

[Wheelman]

The reason I went with a Sabre over the P2 was because I didn’t like the extra 6” of room in the cockpit when behind the wheel. The 3” of front deck and 3” of rear is hardly noticeable imho, but the larger and heavier 200hp engine is definitely faster as well as quicker because of the torque. That comes at a price of course, my only regret with the Sabre FTD is not going with the 175. The new 3.4L 4-stroke wasn’t available though, but it has more torque than the 2.5L 2-stroke and being a little heavier may help balance the boat better I’m thinking with the fuel tanks moved forward. It helps to run your load rearward on the Sabre especially if you have the Minn Kota on the bow, the P2 with 200 isn’t going to be as affected though.

[Cajunhunter67]

Cfergy:

Thanks Jeh, There is a dealer about 60 miles from me. Ill give them a call about the color kits. Charcoal and sapphire is how i have one built now and looks good on the page just need to see in person.

He is correct. Pick out the colors you think you want. In fact pick a couple of different color schemes you may like. Than get to a dealer who has the color samples. Your really MUST see the samples in lieu of using the boat builder.

 

[oldtimer57]

You have two good options.  My only comment is that there is most definitely a difference between an 18′ boat and a 19′ boat.  Doesn’t sound like much, but it is there.  My last boat was an 18′, and I thought long and hard about going to the classic vs going with a sabre.  I fish in lots of tight places and knew the 19 footer was going to be a little harder to maneuver.

 

That’s a difficult question to answer for you.  But there is a difference.  The other difference is the motor limit.  The classic will run a 200, the sabre tops out at 175 with a lot of them running 150’s.  Upper 60’s vs mid 70’s.  Is that important?  Which is more important, fishing in tight places or running 75?  I’ve fished in both.  Both ride well in fairly rough water.  But 19′ is 19′.  Can you store it where you need to?  Adding another foot makes a difference in parked length.

 

You can’t go wrong with either.  And fishing out of both would be the ideal solution so you can get a feel for both.  I went with the classic.  Completely happy with it.  It is a 19′ hot rod that runs great at 50mph with the 200 ProXS motor, around 4,000 RPM or so.  Fuel efficient at that speed, and you still cover a lot of ground.

 

To clarify, I am talking about the older 19’1″ classic, not the new one.  I have not fished out of one of those and can’t offer much of  any information other than it IS a Bass Cat, which says a lot.

 

These things have a lot of room, and with the trolling motor and seat so far forward, a second person up front is not too crowded to fish…

 

[dental17]

Any idea who’s white Sabre FTD that is? I’d be interested in it if its for sale….219-512-2924

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