Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Sabre FTD vs Margay Ride Comparison
polaris425.
I looking for peoples opinion on how the Sabre FTD and the Margay ride in comparison to each other? Also how do the vary in how they ride, drive, etc?
Id be interested in hearing about this, too– particularly the driving dynamics, understanding that the Sabre FTD will likely be faster if the comparison is between both boats with max hp. Also, does one handle rough water better than the other?
I have never been in a Sabre but im sure they ride great. As for the Margay, it is awesome in a chop, especially running with the chop or against it. I have had quite a few people with me on some less than desirable days and everybody is blown away by how solid that boat is for a 17 footer. It rides as good if not better than many 19 footers I have owned and ridden in. Dont get me wrong it aint a 20 footer but its impressive for what it is. Just passed by a guy in a triton a couple days ago that was getting his spine realigned in the wind, sailed right by him. Man he was getting beat up good. You dont get very nice looks from guys in bigger boats when you do that either lol. There is although one situation that the Margay does not like, and that is getting into a side to side situation, like getting in a good size boat wake or running cross ways through the chop. When that thing gets rocking back and forth it doesnt like to quit. On pad, its hard to get it to stop that motion once it gets going, and it can get pretty uncomfortable for the passenger if you are in a hurry. I have the 150xs on mine and the numbers I regularly get are 67-69 by myself, 64-66 with a partner, and about 62ish with a partner, livewells full and full of gas. It will run 70 if you leave all your tackle at home and only put about $10 in gas in it If you can get passed the look of the extended rod box (which is awesome) and the fact that it has the word gay in the name(not so awesome), its a sweet boat. I definetely recommend it to anybody looking for a boat in its class.
I started out looking at a Margay. I never rode in one, and then ended up buying a Sabre FTD. Solid is an under statement. It has impressed me in every way possible! Besides I could not get over the name “Mar GAY” My advice is to buy the biggest rig you can afford or fit into your storage space and then power it to the max. I doubt you would be Sorry!Dan
Lift the lids and pay attention to the detail on how much better the Sabre is finished, the edges the storage boxes etc.
The difference in the ride is noticed in different situations where each hull runs better than the other. The Margay is a very solid boat and will absorb a lot of impacts due to construction. The Sabre is a characteristic Bass Cat design interior grid structure and has similar characteristics to the Pantera II model. Differences are more noticed at 25 to 45 MPH due to the lower horsepower capability of the Margay. It will run with a 70 horse engine and the Sabre FTD will not. At the same speeds the 50-60 MPH edge goes to the Sabre in ride and the Margay in noise. It will be quieter when it collapses into a large wave set than the Margay. Also the 2015 model Margays have been slightly tweaked as more 150 engines are being used than planned and there are less sold with 115 and lower horsepower. There is no easy way to describe the difference and very few have had the Opportunity to ride in both on rough water.
Never ridden in the Margay, but I have a Sabre FTD with a ProXS 175. I could not ask for a better ride at any speed for that size of boat. I have own several boats from across the major brands and even some that are not with us any longer. For the what it is, and for the use I need in tournaments and fishing by myself, I could not ask for a better boat than the Sabre FTD. Keep in mind, this is not to say I would would not run a large Cat. It is just a matter of usage time and economics. This is my third Cat, and they are still the best by far.
I have a Sabre FTD / 150 Opti. My partner has a Skeeter. A ZX 185 with a 175 VMax. Even he says the Sabre has a much better, drier rough water ride than his Skeeter. His words. And he always comments on the fit and finish. Speed is comparable on both boats, but the Sabre corners 100 times better and faster than the ZX. Although, my goal is to own a new PII in the future, I cant imagine having a more perfect rig than the Sabre FTD for where I fish (Millwood and Patman).
Just a side note, somewhere around 2012 the Sabre hull had a nice tweak for handling and performance that popped it up a little bit.
My 04 Sabre rides great. Its an amazing ride for an 18 boat. If your purchasing & trying to decide, Id go Sabre. Youll be much happier with the extra room. Again the Sabre ride is great. I can only imagine what the larger BassCats ride like. Probably a CATalac. Haha… Posted via TapaTalk for iPhone513 PIV w/ 200 MercIG: WarriorRiverCustomRods
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