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basscathash1.
hello fellow BCB owners,
I purchased a used 2010 Sabre FTD in Feb. absolutely love the boat as I’m getting more comfortable with it… I fished my first tournament this past week and threw a blade on a Fury 4 blade 24P prop with no plugs at 56mph fully loaded with partner. I put the back up prop on which is a Tempest Plus 23P fully plugged and the performance is night and day in a negative way. Holeshot is down, top speed is down and it felt super “loose”.
I have read some forums of guys getting really good performance on the Tempest Plus 23P and happy with it once it’s dialed. Im not a super tuning guy so I don’t plan to try a bunch of props. Just working with what I have and finding the most optimal all around setting.
Where and what are the steps in tuning the Tempest 23p? Or should I bite the bullet and purchase another Fury 4?
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.
CB_SabreFTD18:
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.
I should have mentioned, it’s a Mercury OPTI 150
Awesome colors on your boat! That 23 Tempest should run well on that motor, but it probably will feel “loose” compared to the 4 blade. It sounds like your Tempest isn’t vented properly, and the regular medium sized open plugs should work fine for hole shot. Jackplate at flush for rough water application, or raise it maybe 1/4” for more speed. I actually run my 25 Tempest 1/8” below flush on the plate, and that’s strictly for a better rough water ride.
Most Sabre 150 combos I’ve read like a 24 Tempest or 24 Fury (3). The Fury 3 is usually the fastest, and the Tempest usually carries a load better with more lift. Sounds like the 24 Fury 4 runs well, but I’d be hesitant buying another one. BCB has said that they like a Trophy Plus on the Sabre as a 4 blade, and probably a 24 pitch with your 150. Maybe they will chime in here.
Thank you for the information. I’ll mess with the plugs and double check the jack plate position. As far as the fury 4 I’m really trying to not have to purchase another one. I think with the info you provided I may just find what I’m looking for with what I have. I look forward to hearing from more Sabre owners who have already tinkered with their props.
I just got home and check the prop plugs and JP height. the jack plate is set a smidge over 1/16” above level on the jack plate and prop is plugged with 3 large hole PVS plugs.
Would it be safe to lower the JP to level?
Im not sure if the boat came with medium plugs. I’ll look to see about ordering the other sizes.
It sounds like you’re spot on with the jackplate for top end speed and quicker hole shot already. Those large plugs should be fine. Your rpms on holeshot should be near 3500 on take off. The reasons I run mine lower on the plate are for more bow lift in big waves, a softer ride, and better handling in turns. Your hole shot will be slightly slower if you lower your engine to flush, and you will probably lose a couple tenths of top end speed. Sounds like that 24 Fury 4 has spoiled you. If you are near Houston, you are welcome to try my 24 Fury (or my other props). My 24 Fury is the fastest prop I’ve ran. It has a great hole shot too. I run it at 3 7/8 below pad. It’s fast and handles well, but it bounces me around in choppy to rough water. It’s a blast to drive in calm water though.
I believe you JP height is fine. You need to remove the prop plugs until it wants blow out, than add one back in. The Tempest will blow out with all plugs removed, at least mine would. Once you find that happy place with the plugs, it should shoot out the hole. If it still feels a little loose, you can bump up the JP a 1/4 inch. Just watch your water pressure, and how much torque you have in the steering.
I had a Sabre FTD with the 175 ProXs. I ran a 25 Trophy Plus. Hole shot, handling and top were excellent. With the 150, I believe a 24 Trophy Plus would be the ticket for you.
I need to take Cajunhunter’s advice one these days and try a 25 Trophy Plus. His top end speed was virtually identical to my 24 Fury, but with way better handling and rough water ride.
Thank you for your advise. I’ll give it a shot tomorrow on the water.
I also forgot to mention the boat came with a Tempest 25p that I may try tomorrow as well.
Paul, I have a 2009 Sabre (not FTD) with a 2018 Mercury 150 Pro XS. I have ran every prop Mercury has for my set up. This includes:
23P Tempest, 23P & 24P Trophy Plus, 23P Fury and a 25P Bravo 1 XS. Here are my results:
I run a very light load, I only crappie fish so I have 4 rods, small tackle box, life jackets. I run 1/2 tank of gas and water in the livewell.
The Fury is the fastest at 63 MPH at 5500 RPM, 4 second hole shot , no PVS plugs
Tempest is next at 62 MPH at 5700 RPM, 5 second hole shot, large PVS plugs in all 3 holes
The Trophy’s I used the 24 in winter and the 23 in summer, 60 MPH at 5600 RPM, 3 second hole shot, blow out ring with 2 large PVS plugs, 2 open
Bravo 1 XS, 59 MPH at 5500 RPM. Hole shot 2 seconds, 4 Solid PVS plugs, 4 holes open (Bravo 1 XS has 8 PVS holes) midrange very quick, lift was unmatched by any other prop, both stern and bow, I really needed a 24P to acheive more RPM’s
Overall the Trophy Plus was the best for overall performance for my set up. The Trophy’s and the Bravo were easier to drive, better hole shot and handling, lost some on speed but worth the trade off.
What RPM’s are you turning, your speed seems low.
Brian
So I ran my boat by myself today, full tank, moderate load, empty live wells. I ran the 23p tempest with all three large plugs in with my jack plate still set at 1/16” above level. The best I got was 56mph at 5600-5700 RPM
RPMs sound close, but that sure is slow. A full tank of gas slows me down a bit running by myself, but only about (1) mph. What did that 24 Fury 4 run?
Fury 4 ran 60 at 5500 with a little more to spare with same load and full tank. The fastest I hit with the fury 4 was 62 mph. I didn’t see my response rpm because it starts to chine. Still trying to work thru the chine.
I’m questioning the integrity of that Tempest 23. Something is way off with it. Also, spin your prop by hand to see if your prop shaft is out of whack. I’d check the lower unit oil too since you lost a blade on that Fury. 5700 rpms at 56 mph sounds like something is off. That’s the type of speed of a heavy R & S brand 18 footer runs with a 150.
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