Help 2018 Sabre FTD 175 mercury pro xs what prop

[Braxtonwhite12]

Ahh I understand thank you sir and from what I read I thought it was a bit low as well which could explain why it feels like it has more in it. I will keep yall updated as to when I can get out and test everything thank yall so much for everything. But one question? When you raise the motor you get better speed correct? When you lower it it’s for better takeoff ? I just wanna make sure I have an understanding before I go and test stuff so I don’t mess anything up along with that I’ve also heard bass cats in general don’t like a lot of trim is this true in yall experiences?

 

[Wheelman]

It’s all relative, you have a baseline to start with so make one change at a time and raise the motor in small 1/4” increments. The kind of prop you run, the number of plugs, the way the boats loaded affect take off. Less trim is typically because a Basscat is lighter than other bass boats and has an aerodynamic lift that starts to take place around 50mph because of the hull design. For the most efficiency/highest speed you want the hull touching the water the least amount as hydro drag is greater than aero drag, but you want the engine using as much of it’s power for forward momentum and not shooting water up like a rainbow.

[Braxtonwhite12]

okay this makes sense thank you sir but from what I’ve read it seems a little low as my prop to pad distance almost 5 which is 1 1/2 inches from what I’ve read online.

[Wheelman]

Agreed if you measured it correctly as I’m ~3.75” PTP when flush on the jackplate. You can also run a long level off the bottom of hull and measure to center of lower unit as well to double check, maybe your motor is mounted lower for some reason though as each hole is ~3/4”.

[CB_SabreFTD18]

I have the same year Sabre and 175 2 stroke.  I’ve got a lightweight Motorguide on the bow.  If you like the Bravo, you need a 26 pitch.  You won’t get 70 mph out of it, but it pulls 2 adults with 1/2 fuel very close to 68 in Summer.  Smartcraft  rpms solo are 5850 @ 68.5 with 1/2 fuel. Leave  it at flush (3.5 PtP).

24 Fury and 25 Laser (old square vent holes) are 70 mph props on mine solo in Summer with 1/2 fuel.   I’d run either at 1/8-1/4” below flush since they are small diameter. Running lower will be better in choppy water and stay hooked up better in turns.  Only lose .5 mph running lower on top end, but they ride and handle very well.

 

 

[Braxtonwhite12]

Thank you sir so what prop do you recommend for my boat

 

[CB_SabreFTD18]

Prop choice varies from person to person.   It’s all a personal preference. If you fish 2 people mostly with full fuel and have a heavy trolling motor, then I’d say 24 Fury, 24 Tempest, or 26 Bravo. All 3 carry a load well on mine. All 3 make the boat run and feel differently as well.

If speed is your main concern, I’d go 24 Fury.  If you fish lakes that get rough, I’d keep that Fury lower at about 3 3/4 below pad for the ride.  It should still run 69+ at that height by yourself and carry 2 people well.  BCB recommends the Fury, and I can see why after trying a bunch of props.  24 Fury is probably the best all around prop I’ve tried.

If you want to have some fun on light wind days, find a clean 25 Laser for “cheap.” It gives sort of a “do nothing ride.”   It doesn’t chinewalk at all on my boat, and it will fly.  The negative with this prop is that it makes the boat slap those bigger waves similar to an aluminum semi V.  I have to go extra slow and creep across those bigger waves with the old Laser to avoid throwing my back out.

[Author]

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