Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Engine thoughts on Pantera Classic and Sabre FTD models.
oldtimer57.
This post went up on another forum post and we thought it was relative to many conversations we see on here in recent times. The models and engine offerings between a Pantera II, Pantera Classic, Sabre FTD and a Margay are all broad. This post gave insight for several things we see being discussed on engines today.Never has the engine offering been so broad from the 150 Pro XS, HO and SHO, through to the 200 Pro XS, SHO and HO engines. Variety in those categories and horsepower range widely from the 200 V8 to the smaller blocks in I4 150 horsepower offerings. All are dependable and all have reliability, it becomes personal preference from there.Bass Cat intends to improve the lower end model variations in years going forwards and bring more definition between each segment. Post:Don’t overlook the new 175 Pro XS as this engine has a ton of torque and will improve the performance significantly on the Pantera Classic model. This seems to be a Greta engine and one that brings a new thought process to any boat purchase. The few grand in savings might swing the pendulum towards affordability for younger anglers with families. It also offers more parent comfort for those high school parents who’s youth are winging on their own now. They also build the V6 in a non Pro XS engine and 200 HP for a different and more affordable consideration. Though that price won’t be tremendously less. The 150 Pro XS, HO and SHO engines all offer a higher pony platform for bass anglers and work fine, though they won’t be demons on the Pantera Classic. They become daily drivers and get by fine if that’s what your after. We deal with all sorts of consumers across the country and the choices are each their own. BCB
I know for the 150hp Merc the motor mounts are different between the standard 4-stroke and Pro XS version, do you know if this is also the case with the 175hp models?
Bass Cat, On the new 175 Pro Xs you said it will improve performance significantly. Roughly, What kind of difference would you expect over the 150 Pro xs?
Significant over the new or old 150 Pro XS. We dont peg numbers though it will have a lot of hole shot and mid range, we well as top end. All across the board better than the two stroke or four stroke 150. BCB
I bought my 2018 classic in oct 2017..so glad i did it has the 200pro xs opti…im sure the new 4strokes are nice but im glad to have gotten the last of the greatest 2strokes ever built ..71.6 loaded 72.8 by myself all day
Riverrat50 wrote:I bought my 2018 classic in oct 2017..so glad i did it has the 200pro xs opti…im sure the new 4strokes are nice but im glad to have gotten the last of the greatest 2strokes ever built ..71.6 loaded 72.8 by myself all dayAgreed. I bought a 2018 PII in March. It has a 200hp ProXS. I was coming out of a Skeeter with a 175sho. Loved the boat, but the 175 was so so. It did not have a great hole shot. Mid-range and topend were ok. I added a hydraulic jackplate and tried multiple props, it still didnt have the holeshot punch. I missed my old 2 stroke and always wanted a Bass Cat and got lucky to find one in another state. I feel I found MY perfect boat in the PII and 2-stroke 200 ProXS. Im sure the 4-stroke ProXS motors will be a different animal compared to the Yamahas. The extra 2 cylinders on the 175hp should fix the holeshot issues I saw in my 175sho.
I know what u mean …the classic is the perfect and for sure the last boat ill buy..i came out of an older Ranger 518 w/200 yamaha hdpi…performance and even the fishabilty the basscat is so beyond what i had…ive tried tempest trophy with good results but then i tried a 24 fury and its just “MAGIC” on my classic
BKbassin wrote:Riverrat50 wrote:I bought my 2018 classic in oct 2017..so glad i did it has the 200pro xs opti…im sure the new 4strokes are nice but im glad to have gotten the last of the greatest 2strokes ever built ..71.6 loaded 72.8 by myself all dayAgreed. I bought a 2018 PII in March. It has a 200hp ProXS. I was coming out of a Skeeter with a 175sho. Loved the boat, but the 175 was so so. It did not have a great hole shot. Mid-range and topend were ok. I added a hydraulic jackplate and tried multiple props, it still didnt have the holeshot punch. I missed my old 2 stroke and always wanted a Bass Cat and got lucky to find one in another state. I feel I found MY perfect boat in the PII and 2-stroke 200 ProXS. Im sure the 4-stroke ProXS motors will be a different animal compared to the Yamahas. The extra 2 cylinders on the 175hp should fix the holeshot issues I saw in my 175sho.The extra ~45ci of the 3.4L V6 over 2.8L I4 SHO will definitely make more torque, would be interesting to see it in a tug a war contest with the heavier 2.7L G2 now.
Wheelman wrote:I know for the 150hp Merc the motor mounts are different between the standard 4-stroke and Pro XS version, do you know if this is also the case with the 175hp models?They do have different mounts on the new Pro XS models than the standard 4-stroke models, that along with the torque master lower unit that comes standard on the v8 along with the torque from 1.2 additional liters would be worth the minimal coin for the 200 in my humble opinion on a total performance bass boat.
BKbassin wrote:Riverrat50 wrote:I bought my 2018 classic in oct 2017..so glad i did it has the 200pro xs opti…im sure the new 4strokes are nice but im glad to have gotten the last of the greatest 2strokes ever built ..71.6 loaded 72.8 by myself all dayAgreed. I bought a 2018 PII in March. It has a 200hp ProXS. I was coming out of a Skeeter with a 175sho. Loved the boat, but the 175 was so so. It did not have a great hole shot. Mid-range and topend were ok. I added a hydraulic jackplate and tried multiple props, it still didnt have the holeshot punch. I missed my old 2 stroke and always wanted a Bass Cat and got lucky to find one in another state. I feel I found MY perfect boat in the PII and 2-stroke 200 ProXS. Im sure the 4-stroke ProXS motors will be a different animal compared to the Yamahas. The extra 2 cylinders on the 175hp should fix the holeshot issues I saw in my 175sho.I think the V8 versions are only 200hp and above. 175 is still a V6 so far as I have read…
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats
