Topic: Bravo 1 FS Prop on Sabre | Bass Cat

Bravo 1 FS Prop on Sabre

I have been fiddling with setup on my 17 Sabre FTD Advantage Elite with a Yamaha 175 SHO for a while now. I was running a 24" SHO Vmax non vented prop that has been blueprinted and dynamically balanced. My boat has dual consoles and a MK Fortrex on the front, 15 rods/reels, a Plano tackle bag with 7 3750 boxes with hard baits in the front rear compartment, so its a bit front heavy, but thats the way I prefer to have access to my tackle. So the SHO prop, while doing OK just lacked a bit of lift, particularly at mid speeds of 4500 RPM or so. Best speed I saw was 69 and 5900 RPM in cool weather here in Alabama.Ive run 4 bladed props on almost every boat Ive ever had, and just like the overall "feel" better, so after doing a LOT of research, and talking with a member here, and calling Scott at Mercury Racing, decided to go to the "newish" Bravo 1 FS in a 25" pitch. The only difference in the XS and FS is the number of plugs in the prop...the XS has 8 and the FS (four stroke) has 4 solid plugs standard. It is a large diameter prop...15.25". From my understanding in talking with Mercury, the 25" starts life as a 24" and they just add some cup to make it "act" like a 25. The "actual" behavior of the Bravo 1 XS/FS is approximately one inch less in pitch. It also has a shorter barrel with just a smidge of flare. So if you are running a 3 blade stiff prop, you need to step up an inch with this prop, and if you run a 3 Blade Fury, step up 2". The props come from Mercury Racing, so are "Pro Finished" which supposedly means meets specs and is balanced out of the box.The PTP is 3"...I want to tweak that a bit, but my water pressure gauge is acting up, so I was going by engine temp. Weather was high humidity and mid 80s in temperature on Lake Martin, AL this past weekend. Tried first with 2 plugs out of the prop...hole shot was good. Put the two solid plugs back in, and it got out of the hole in 3 seconds...this was with 30 gallons of fuel and just me. Speed was 68 at 6000 rpm. Midrange acceleration is unreal. Boat will stay up at 3500 to 4000 rpm. Easier to drive, handling was MUCH improved, and rough water conditions were no problem. Bow lift is excellent and stern lift is just right. The 175 SHO has the reputation of being a hard engine to prop, but on the Sabre its a good match. I think when I find out whats wrong with the water pressure gauge, I will be able to raise the engine another 1/4 to 1/2 inch and see an increase in both speed and rpm, but I am very pleased with this new prop and Im done fooling with props. Might not be a prop you are interested in, but from my research and conversations, it appears to be a good choice for me.

This topic has 17 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 11 months ago by Jeff-1970.

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May 6, 2019 at 3:21 am #674157

CB_SabreFTD18
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Ronnie told me the same thing about the stock Fury. My Fury is incredibly fast on top end, and I’m lower on the plate than anyone I’ve heard of. I’m going to send mine to him to try to get the lift/handling at lower speeds corrected. The Bravo XS he worked for me is incredible, and to get speed I do have to run it high. My boat stays on plane at about 14 mph with it now. I guess I’ll ship him my Tempest too as it’s a bit rough around the edges and blade surfaces.

Keep us posted on your results. You are the only person I’ve seen post anywhere with the new 175 4 stroke. BCB is always very modest about performance numbers, but it sounds like your new motor might be very special on the Sabre. Once you get comfortable driving it at WOT, you will be amazed. I can’t say enough positive things about mine. It is the same fast, rock solid, dry riding boat as the 20 footer I had, but in an 18’ 1” package. It is a weapon fishing shallow and backwater areas for sure. I call mine “The Stealth Bomber.”

May 7, 2019 at 3:42 am #674176

Jeff-1970
Participant

CB Sabre,

I bought the bravo from basscathash, hell for 350 to my door,I couldn’t really go wrong. I needed a backup prop anyway. I do not think I will be sending my props to ronnie. I’m gonna take my fury to boat city prop shop in okc where I live. Bryan is very good at what he does and has been at it for 25 years. And he is a crazy go fast guy. He just got back from tickfall(sp). He’s gonna clean up my fury, and cup the tips just a bit for bow lift. He agreed with Keith from ronnie’s prop shop, that I need to raise the jp, that I’m carrying the bow with trim. Time will tell. I’m getting more comfortable behind the wheel.

On a side note, I hate hearing people say bass boats handle great and will turn on a dime….. they do not. Competition direct drive ski boats will. I sold mine last year, I could make her swap ends going 40-45 mph…..hahaha
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