Buying a new boat questions

This topic has 33 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 5 months ago by Caldwellj.

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December 18, 2011 at 7:54 pm #465990

TonyCrafton
Participant

The only reason I would not build a shop or shed is I think we will be house shopping this next year. My daughter will be moving up from Middle School to Junior High which puts her going to school in the middle of town instead of on the north side of town where we live. I have to drive through town to go to work. Plus the main reason, my wife wants a bigger house. I would rather just stay were we are at because I just see a bigger house as a waste of money since my son is about to go to college.

Some of the reasons I have been looking at a Sabre is cost and not giving up much in speed or size to the Pantera Classic we have now. Since we have no storage on the back deck we will gain some storage. The weight will be less than the any of the newer Panteras which helps on the haul vehicle. The Sabre will fit in any garage.

If I felt like we could swing it I would really be after a Caracal. Its front deck is huge compared to the P2 or the Classic we have. I love the well thought out compartments on the front. The fuel capacity options are great. We would want a belly tank with either the 10 gal or 26 gal side tank to improve hull shot when in shallow water.

December 16, 2018 at 10:10 pm #465969

TonyCrafton
Participant

I have owned 3 boats and all of them were used when I got them. Really thinking about a new boat but not sure where to begin. Really only thinking about new or used with warranty on the motor.

So here is what I know are considerations on the next boat in no particular order. I think a Sabre is what I am leaning towards.

1. Garage is 20’-8” it would be nice if the new bot could be kept in the garage.
2. Needs to be about the same speed as the one we have now. Faster is ok slower I might as well change brands. 1997 Classic with a 200 is what we have now.
3. Want a duel axle trailer. My son will fish out of it while in college the next 4 years.
4. Max HP for the hull.
5. Which shaft length on the trolling motor? My son has been doing more vertical fishing away from the shore.
6. Are Power Poles worth the money. That looks like something that we could save money on now and add later.
7. Really confused on which brand of engine to get. Evinrude can be got with 10 yrs right now. Yamaha and Mercury you can get 5 yrs. They all seem to have pluses and minuses. The engine will make a difference in the dealer we would go through on a new boat.

I really think I can get what we need with a Sabre for those that have one what options do you wish you would have gotten?

Thank all.

1997 Pantera Classic
1999 Mercury 200 HP Optimax
Bob’s 6” Hydraulic Jack Plate

December 16, 2018 at 11:27 pm #465970

schodackbassman
Participant

TonyCrafton wrote:

I have owned 3 boats and all of them were used when I got them. Really thinking about a new boat but not sure where to begin. Really only thinking about new or used with warranty on the motor.

So here is what I know are considerations on the next boat in no particular order. I think a Saber is what I am leaning towards.

1. Garage is 20’-8” it would be nice if the new bot could be kept in the garage.
2. Needs to be about the same speed as the one we have now. Faster is ok slower I might as well change brands. 1997 Classic with a 200 is what we have now.
3. Want a duel axle trailer. My son will fish out of it while in college the next 4 years.
4. Max HP for the hull.
5. Which shaft length on the trolling motor? My son has been doing more vertical fishing away from the shore.
6. Are Power Poles worth the money. That looks like something that we could save money on now and add later.
7. Really confused on which brand of engine to get. Evinrude can be got with 10 yrs right now. Yamaha and Mercury you can get 5 yrs. They all seem to have pluses and minuses. The engine will make a difference in the dealer we would go through on a new boat.

I really think I can get what we need with a Saber for those that have one what options do you wish you would have gotten?

Thank all.

1997 Pantera Classic
1999 Mercury 200 HP Optimax
Bob’s 6” Hydraulic Jack Plate

You’re used to a Classic and it’s size, I’d add a PII and new Classic (I have the old style an 07) to the rotation you are looking at. Either with a 200. Motor is tough but if you have a wrench you trust, go with what they work on. I’m not a ‘rude fan because of the history I’ve observed going back 20 plus years but they seem to have improved their culture so my stance has softened last couple years. If fish mostly off shore, shallow anchors are a cost plus weight you don’t need. Can always add later as you mentioned if things change. I’m sure others will add their thoughts. Have fun shopping! Good luck.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

December 17, 2018 at 12:19 am #465971

gclayfam
Participant

I would consider the Ultrex 52″ shaft with spot lock and wait on the poles. You will have the same beam width in the Saber as the P2 93″. Motors and sonars are an owners choice. I ordered my Caracal with what I wanted and made sure it would fit in my garage. I am happy with my decision!
George

December 17, 2018 at 12:51 am #465972

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

This is a very good list to help with your analysis.

Garage space is always a good one.

The new V6 175 Mercury would be our choice on a Sabre FTD. Of course we don’t care here on engines, thus weight as well as cubic inches would be our decision factor. You may give up some performance from where you are now, though not much.

The other boat brand choices are most likely right in the garage space and that rule of thumb exists no matter the brand. We can get in tighter spaces than any company with our trailer flexibility. And a Tandem doesn’t effect this.

45” shafts will work fine for more than 95% of uses and be out way when stowed. The 50” plus models are just in the way for most. Consider an 80 pound 24 volt, and maybe jump to the 36 volt. 24 will handle most needs on a Sabre FTD.

Get the Ultrex and one Power Pole which will handle most needs with Spot Lock. If there is a promotion consider two? Hmm, that brings up a new thought.

BCB

December 17, 2018 at 12:51 am #465973

TonyCrafton
Participant

schodackbassman wrote:

TonyCrafton wrote:

I have owned 3 boats and all of them were used when I got them. Really thinking about a new boat but not sure where to begin. Really only thinking about new or used with warranty on the motor.

So here is what I know are considerations on the next boat in no particular order. I think a Saber is what I am leaning towards.

1. Garage is 20’-8” it would be nice if the new bot could be kept in the garage.
2. Needs to be about the same speed as the one we have now. Faster is ok slower I might as well change brands. 1997 Classic with a 200 is what we have now.
3. Want a duel axle trailer. My son will fish out of it while in college the next 4 years.
4. Max HP for the hull.
5. Which shaft length on the trolling motor? My son has been doing more vertical fishing away from the shore.
6. Are Power Poles worth the money. That looks like something that we could save money on now and add later.
7. Really confused on which brand of engine to get. Evinrude can be got with 10 yrs right now. Yamaha and Mercury you can get 5 yrs. They all seem to have pluses and minuses. The engine will make a difference in the dealer we would go through on a new boat.

I really think I can get what we need with a Saber for those that have one what options do you wish you would have gotten?

Thank all.

1997 Pantera Classic
1999 Mercury 200 HP Optimax
Bob’s 6” Hydraulic Jack Plate

You’re used to a Classic and it’s size, I’d add a PII and new Classic (I have the old style an 07) to the rotation you are looking at. Either with a 200. Motor is tough but if you have a wrench you trust, go with what they work on. I’m not a ‘rude fan because of the history I’ve observed going back 20 plus years but they seem to have improved their culture so my stance has softened last couple years. If fish mostly off shore, shallow anchors are a cost plus weight you don’t need. Can always add later as you mentioned if things change. I’m sure others will add their thoughts. Have fun shopping! Good luck.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

I will not rule out a P2 or Classic. The P2 seems easier to find used than a Sabre. I just really would like the next boat we get to be able to fit in the garage if it is new or just 1 or 2 years old.

1997 Pantera Classic
1999 Mercury 200 HP Optimax
Bob’s 6” Hydraulic Jack Plate

December 17, 2018 at 1:11 am #465974

TonyCrafton
Participant

Bass Cat Boats wrote:

This is a very good list to help with your analysis.

Garage space is always a good one.

The new V6 175 Mercury would be our choice on a Sabre FTD. Of course we don’t care here on engines, thus weight as well as cubic inches would be our decision factor. You may give up some performance from where you are now, though not much.

The other boat brand choices are most likely right in the garage space and that rule of thumb exists no matter the brand. We can get in tighter spaces than any company with our trailer flexibility. And a Tandem doesn’t effect this.

45” shafts will work fine for more than 95% of uses and be out way when stowed. The 50” plus models are just in the way for most. Consider an 80 pound 24 volt, and maybe jump to the 36 volt. 24 will handle most needs on a Sabre FTD.

Get the Ultrex and one Power Pole which will handle most needs with Spot Lock. If there is a promotion consider two? Hmm, that brings up a new thought.

BCB

I do not think I would want the 36v because of the extra battery and the more expensive 4 bank battery charger. The 24v Fortrex works great on the Classic we have.

So a question on the getting one pole, would you mount it on the port or starboard side?

Looking at weight and cubic inches it appears the Mercury is the best of both. Another reason I might pick the Mercury over the others is there seems to more dealers that we can pick from.

Is there any place I can look at all the available options on each model?

1997 Pantera Classic
1999 Mercury 200 HP Optimax
Bob’s 6” Hydraulic Jack Plate

December 17, 2018 at 3:54 am #465975

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

We would mount it on the Starboard side for easier ladder use.

The dealerships are your best answer and the factory would be glad to work with you to be sure your equipment is what you need. Then you can have the dealership of your choice price it.

December 17, 2018 at 4:14 am #465976

schodackbassman
Participant

Bass Cat Boats wrote:

We would mount it on the Starboard side for easier ladder use.

The dealerships are your best answer and the factory would be glad to work with you to be sure your equipment is what you need. Then you can have the dealership of your choice price it.

Function wise, I would have to agree. Weight/balance wise however, any concern with shallow anchor, driver, trolling motor batteries, and oil tank all being on the starboard side?

December 17, 2018 at 7:26 pm #465977

tdobb
Participant

Tony, in a 20′-9″ garage the only two BCBs that will fit would be the Margay and the Sabre. A first gen Eyra would fit if you had a trailer with a folding tongue. I am in the same predicament as you with garage space (20′-10″ for me) and I researched all of the brands, fiberglass and aluminum. I could get a Lund 1775 in there with a swing tongue. I could get either BCB Margay or Sabre in there so long as the trailer had the swing tongue. I could get a couple glass competitor 17 foot class boats in there but all of them were maxed out at 115, and based on my calculations it wasn’t a USCG rating deal, more-so as a way to push the bigger and more expensive boats in their lines. If I was dropping that kind of coin for a new boat it was going to be powered appropriately and BCB is the only way to go for the smaller boats. I ended up finding a killer deal on a boat that was at the top of my list of 4 boat models I would consider buying used.

I had to make a concession though cause it was about 4″ longer than the garage on the trailer, so I ended up bumping out the back of the garage just enough to get it straight in, but didn’t have to make any modifications to the roof. Got out the sledge and the sawzall. Poured a small slab extension with rebar drilled/epoxied into the existing slab, extended out with some 2x12s on the jambs, framed a new wall between the 2x12s. Problem sawlved!

Untitled by Tom Dobbins, on Flickr

After the new siding went on it looks great.

Untitled by Tom Dobbins, on Flickr

I am not sure that is an option for your garage, but if it were, I would highly suggest a bump out so you can get a bigger boat in there. I didn’t want to effect the roof in mine so I was a little limited but it worked out really nice. If you have 2 foot overhangs you could go out 20″ pretty easy and not effect the roof, I only had 12″ overhangs and with the way I did it I got about 8″ more usable space. I also skipped the middle stud so I had a pocket for the motor to squeeze into and gave myself a little extra breathing room there too, front and back.

If you can get the garage out, that opens up the doors quite a bit, and maybe getting a P2 or Classic in there. I really want a Classic but it still wont fit with my configuration.

December 17, 2018 at 7:30 pm #465978

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

We see no balance concerns.

December 17, 2018 at 7:48 pm #465979

tdobb
Participant

The other thing I was looking at on competitor brands is how they measure length. Most of them calculate the integrated step back as part of the boat length, cause it is part of the mold. Take a look at what that does to the back deck. The way the Sabre is laid out, the transom is a few inches forward of the sponsons if you will and the carpeted surface comes back closer to the back edge of the boat, all of the others the usable deck space per length is much less.

For a trolling motor, if you will be doing much offshore fishing on busy lakes I would go with the 52″ Ultrex. I was going to run a 45″ on my boat but I fish Minnetonka up here quite a bit and there is a bunch of boat traffic along with some pretty good wind driven waves. With the 52″ there have still been times when I popped the prop out of the water, not many but it happens, should also note my boat does sit up a couple inches higher than a BCB when on the trolling motor so a 45 may be fine. I like the 52 though.

December 17, 2018 at 8:00 pm #465980

TonyCrafton
Participant

Tom,

I would have to open up my living room to extend my garage, so that really is not an option.

1997 Pantera Classic
1999 Mercury 200 HP Optimax
Bob’s 6” Hydraulic Jack Plate

December 17, 2018 at 8:19 pm #465981

tdobb
Participant

It’s always an option Tony. Gotta get creative. 😉

December 17, 2018 at 8:26 pm #465982

TonyCrafton
Participant

I guess my wife will be getting to look at houses. 🥴🙄

1997 Pantera Classic
1999 Mercury 200 HP Optimax
Bob’s 6” Hydraulic Jack Plate
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