Cajunhunter67 wrote:It came with a Tempest PLus 25.I never ran it with it. I put the on Fury 4 and went driving.I hit 69.8 mph at 5700 rpm. This is without water in the live wells. It does it with the live wells full.Is that 25 Tempest like new it? I’ve got a brand new 24 Fury 3 I bought for my 2018 Sabre FTD 175 Pro XS. I ran 70.2 @ 5920 rpms with fuel fuel, my gear, empty live wells, and no poles last Thursday…it’ll be my spare prop. My boat came with a 24 Tempest, and I like it better than the Fury on my sabre. Hole shot is similar, mid range blows the doors off, and it tops out at 69.5 @ 5950 with a full tank of fuel. Way smoother ride with the Tempest in 1.5 to 2 footers running 65 mph. It ran 69.1 @ 5920 with a 220 lb partner Friday with a full tank of gas. I’ll trade you for that 25 Tempest if you’re interested. If so, send me a pm.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’ve got an ‘18 Sabre 175 Pro XS. It’s got the Helix 7G2SI on it with transducer in the off centered bottom of transom under the jackplate. I’ve got a Smartcraft with accurate water pressure (analogue is spot on too). I’ve run 24 Tempest, 25 Tempest, 24 Fury…I get 18 psi @ WOT regardless of prop. I’m at 3.5 inches below pad. I tried raising 1/4 inch, and I lost 4-5 lbs of pressure WOT. I have no mods to the lower unit water intake. Any chance you’re too high on the plate?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m running a 26 Bravo 1xs (2 solid plugs, 6 open) on my Sabre with 175 Pro XS. I settled on 3 5/8 PTP. It holds 18 psi at WOT. Hole shot sounds about like yours…super quick. Overall lift is great. Mine ran 68.0 last week in 95 deg heat with a full ice chest, 225 pound partner, and a little over 1/2 fuel. I don’t have a hot foot. I have a 24 & 25 Tempest, and the Bravo is easier to drive all around, I think. It’ll chine a tad if I over trim, and it starts above 3/8 on the trim gauge. It’s about (1) mph slower than my 25 Tempest…which also has great lift. On my Sabre, I start losing water pressure at WOT running it at 3.5 PTP or higher. I lose very little on top end with a partner, and I’ve got all my tackle stored upfront. Best speed I’ve seen with the Bravo was in the Spring was running solo @ 69.0 mph. It’s been running 68.5 solo with 3/4 fuel this Summer. It’s not the fastest prop, but overall it’s my favorite. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nothing wrong at all with Rayburn down here, but Ouachita has a nice ring to it. I’ve made a few casts there, and I’d love an excuse to make a few more.
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Styling rig! Congrats! I like the color combo on the G2 as well. BCB quality all the way to the trailer is second to none. Enjoy that new Margay!
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I agree with Midnight Rider, but on the 175 Pro XS 2 stroke I run a 26 Bravo 1xs. 69.0 with 3/4 fuel & just me in it @ 5830 rpms last week (Cool Front), and it’s very easy to drive. My tackle is in the front, but it’s not much. I tried a 25 Bravo 1xs . It was all over 6000 rpms, and I could only get 65.1 mph. 26 is a beast on my boat, and the rough water ride is outstanding. For Top End though, like BCB and the others said…it’s the 24 Fury 3 or 25. I ran a 24 Fury 3, and it hit 70.0 last Spring @ 5930 rpms if I recall correctly…about 1/2 fuel and empty livewells. I had to “drive it”, but oh my did it haul the mail. Sabreski’s 24 Fury 4 sounds promising. I’ve been waiting for someone to try that prop on the Sabre with 175 Pro XS.
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I’ve got the Sabre FTD. My last rig was a Puma. Yes, the Sabre is much lighter, and the wind does blow me around easier while fishing. Aside from the lighter boat & being 2’ 3” shorter, the ride is very impressive. In average chop (Up to 1.5’), I can’t really tell much difference from the 20 footer. To me, the Sabre feels like a 18’1 Puma. In 2’ waves or bigger, then I know I’m riding in a 18 footer and I have to take it easy and break out some driving skills. The Sabre rides dry, and the only way I’ll get water sprayed is to idle sideways in rollers or spear a wave…same as the 20 footer. Hole shot is crazy good, mid range is nuts, and top end is 68-70 no matter what prop I run on my 175 Pro XS. The boat is built and feels rock solid just like 20 footers. The 93” beam is at the transom, and I can see the boat taper gradually toward the bow when standing behind it. It’s built for speed and performance, and it’s not a widebody hull. There is nothing skimped on the build of the Sabre FTD, and it feels every bit the quality of my last boat. It fishes (2) 200 lb+ people very comfortably. I’ve looked at those models you mentioned in the 18’ class, and they are all nice boats with pros and cons to me. They are more egg shaped and wider through the middle, and for some this is a plus. I don’t think there is anything wrong with those brands. For my money, it’s Basscat in any model. The overall quality and performance is just so impressive…even in the Sabre FTD. If you fish small to medium size lakes or highland type reserviors, the Sabre FTD will do the job just fine. Bigger, wider lakes like Sam Rayburn or Toledo Bend, then the P2 would be a better choice. I do fish these lakes in my Sabre FTD. The only disadvantage is when there are 2’+ rollers, then I wish I had another Puma. My Sabre still keeps me dry in the rough stuff though. The ride is really good for such a lighter boat that’s 18’1.
I’m 6’2 as well. 34×34 pants with a pumpkin head. It’s alot easier for me to surf big waves with just the hand throttle, so I don’t use a hot foot. I have plenty of leg room in my Sabre, but definitely get the tilt steering wheel. I keep mine tilted up all the time. I’m not sure about legroom with a hot foot, but I keep my right foot on that raised “hump” all the time to sort of brace myself without any issues. I think if your knee bumps on the Classic, it would probably do the same on the Sabre FTD.
If you fish solo a lot, the Grab Pole & Step option on the trailer is worth every penny. It’s much easier and safer to climb in the boat when launching by yourself.
I agree with Cajun. 4.5 will probably “crab” or wiggle in the rear end that low. Mine “crabs” a bit at 3.75 below. 3.5 PTP is pretty close with a 24 Fury 3. If you can drive it 3 .25 – 3.0 PTP, I bet the new 175 4 stroke will run 70-72 solo with 1/2 fuel without a ton of tackle upfront. Mine with the 2 stroke runs 69 with a 25 Tempest and 68.5 loaded with a 26 Bravo 1xs. I’m guessing you have the 24 Fury 3? Sabre runs well with a Fury, Fury 4, Tempest, Bravo 1, or Trophy Plus…take your pick. Fury 3 will probably be the fastest of them all.
That was me, John. I wasn’t sure if that message went through as I’m trying to navigate this new Owner’s Board myself. Your 24 Fury is probably the most preferred prop on the Sabre. I ran one, and it pushed my boat faster than any prop I’ve tried. I’ll send you an email, and maybe I can help you out.
Jeff, I run a 26 Bravo 1xs a lot on my Sabre with 175 2 stroke. It’s got a rocket hole shot, great lift and midrange punch, and it carries 2 guys very well. When it was stock, it ran right around 69.0 solo & 68.0 with a partner with half fuel running 1/4 above flush on the plate. I had it worked after dinging it, and it’s a bit faster now (69.2) at that height…68.0 with a partner. Solo rpms at stock were 5830 and now 5800 after being tuned up a bit. It’s probably like a 26.5 now. I lose about 50 rpms with a partner. These numbers are at 1/2 fuel & empty livewells. It runs 47-48 without any trim, and with just a bump up I can run mid 50’s very softly in a good chop. Hole shot is crazy fast, and the midrange is unreal…even running it at flush on the plate. It’s the best performing “all around” prop I’ve ran. I like it best at flush on the plate, and it’s a no brainer to drive.
I don’t know anything about the new 4 stroke though, so I have no idea how if it would turn a 26 Bravo. BCB knows their stuff, and I’d definitely listen to them. A 25 Bravo ran 3 mph slower on my boat, and hole shot/midrange was the same. Midnight Rider likes the 25 Bravo FS on his Sabre, and his numbers are similar to my 26, but he gets more rpms. Different motor than yours though, so you’d have to try one.
I have a 24 Fury, and mine plows at low speeds in chop regardless where my tackle is placed. It’s the fastest solo or with 2 guys (69.4-68.5) with 1/2 fuel running it at flush on the plate. I don’t really like it for rough water. It bounces me around in 1-1.5 foot waves, and it will surface occasionally running about 50-55 in 1’ chop. Maybe I need to lower the motor below flush for the Fury, and I’ll probably try that next time. If the water is calm, then I prefer the Fury. I don’t have any issue with chine. I just tap up in increments, slowly, once it’s at 1/4 trim. I work the steering wheel left and back to even the boat out at WOT. It gets great bow lift and stays hooked up nicely in a tiny chop running 69+. I don’t over trim it as it might shoot me to the moon.
Just my opinion to keep your rpms up with new 4 stroke if you’re not happy with the Fury…try a 24 Tempest or 25 Bravo. Maybe even a 24 Fury 4. The hole shot, midrange, and top end of the 24 Tempest was pretty close to my 26 Bravo. Rpms were 5950 at near 69 mph solo with 1/2 fuel. It ran right at 68 with 2 people. It had better lift at lower speeds than the Fury, and it ran chop a lot better. My personal favorite for choppy to rough water is a 25 Tempest. Good hole shot, good lift even with 2 people, and the ride in chop is almost as good as my last 20’ Cat when running the Fury. I can run mid 60’s in those 1 footers like it’s nothing. I can do that with the Bravo, but it’s not as soft. The Tempest is scratched up with some tiny dings, but it tops out at 68.8 @ 5880 rpms with 1/2 fuel solo and 67. 3 @ 5750 with 2 people running it 1/8 above flush. The choppy to rough water ride is better than any other prop I’ve ran. I made a buddy drive it last time on Conroe’s wave pool so I could get a feel from the passenger side. He got on it faster than I would’ve, and I didn’t need a seat belt at all. It was the first time he’s ever driven a BassCat, and he was very impressed. He’s got an 18’ S boat, and he likes mine way better. He said we would have been soaked in his boat in that wave pool. Personally, I think a lot had to do with that 25 Tempest.
I believe Rothwell marine will let you swap prop pitches if you’re not happy. I’d call them. I’d try a 25 Bravo first on that new 4 stroke as everyone says to pitch down on the new motors. I wouldn’t sleep on a 24 Tempest either. With that said, I don’t think any other prop you try will be faster than the 24 Fury. Keep it near flush on the plate is my $.02. My 24 Fury rides way better in chop or WOT at flush on my Sabre. Even raising it 1/8 affects the rough water ride. My boat is very sensitive to motor height with any prop, and I just keep the plate at or 1/8 above flush. If I fished small lake or rivers, I’d run the Fury all the time. It’s all a matter of what type of performance you’re looking for.
Sorry for the long essay, but I hope this helps you out.
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.”
I haven’t seen anyone post with that combo. I read an article online about a guy in Australia running it with dual power poles, but I can’t recall performance numbers. Personally, I think the Sabre looks sharp with a G2, and I would guess mid 60’s solo. I’m sure BCB has run one empty. Maybe they can give you an idea.
I’m really impressed with mine. My last rig was a Puma, and aside from running big rollers, I enjoy driving and fishing from my 18 footer over the big boat. It’s incredible fishing shallow and running back water areas, and I still haven’t gotten wet running big water. I’ve got the 175 2 stroke, and I get 68-69 solo with any prop I’ve tried. I wouldn’t trade it for any other 18 footer on the market.
My gut tells me you’d struggle to get upper 60’s with the 150. Price the Yamaha SHO & Merc 175 4 stroke. There is a guy on here with the 175 SHO that matches my performance numbers, and there is another fella with a new 175 Merc 4 stroke that sounds similar. You won’t regret the 175. I fish Rayburn, Toledo, and Conroe…no issues at all unless the wind is blowing 20+. The ride is bone dry. Only way to get wet is driver error.
My hull runs big water way softer with a Tempest or Bravo 1 4 blade. Fury is crazy fast, but it’ll bounce me around when the wind is blowing on those lakes. Top end is almost identical with my 25 Tempest & 26 Bravo 1xs…69.0 solo & 68.0 with a 220 lb partner. 24 Tempest runs great too.
What motor do you have? Are those plugs solid? I’d try 3 medium size plugs, or remove 2 if all 3 plugs you have are solid. A 23 Tempest should be a rocket out of the hole at flush on the jackplate if it’s vented properly. I’ll guess low 60’s with a 150, and I would try to borrow a 24 Tempest with 3 medium plugs to try for more speed.
Not sure about the Fury 4, but I’ve heard people losing blades on it. I have a 26 Bravo 1xs that I really like on my Sabre FTD 175 Merc.
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