Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › another prop question
I know that you guys get tired of all the same question concern what prop is best for what boat and all the ensuing questions regarding the factors of load, temp, wind, etc, etc. Well, I have to ask about my 09 Sabre FTD with a Merc 175 Pro XS. I see where all the guys keep posting numbers for 150s running in the low 60s and just really cant seem to digest this since I cant get but 60 running some 5000 rpms with a 25P Tempest Plus. My dealer thinks it is proped just great since it came from Mtn Home with the 25P prop. I have raised the plate about 1/4 inch, but when it is trimed to what I call the extreme it starts a mild walking motion. At any rate, I need suggestions if should I raise the plate another 1/4 inch or put it back to factory settings and envy the rest of the world. I do carry a tournament load of gear, fuel, 3 batteries, etc, but do think it should turn more than 5000 rpms. I normally only look at the GPS for my speed as there is about 8 mph difference with the speedo; the speedo is normally very generous with its readings. Could the engine not be performing as it should? It just seems to run very smooth and pops right on plain. Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated.
That slow thing goes 80???!! You gotta be kiddin me! As fast as Ive seen it was 75. Of course you were full of gas, I was there (155 lbs), and I brought a few baits (another 110 lbs). So whats your problem??!
Too bad theres not an adult coangler that weighs as little as you do! Why do you think I LET you fish with me against the big guns…has nothing to do with your skill level!!! Boat runs like a rocket with you in it…but I cant take enough stuff out of my rig with a “normal” size person sitting next to me and out run those Skeeters (like last weekend). Just buy me a new 25 Fury, so that when we DONT fish together I dont have to watch rooster tails blowing by me… as I am pumping water out of the well and shaving the coangler from head to toe……heck, maybe its me that needs to diet to offset the weight of the “normal” passenger!!! Just want to know if the 25 Fury would help me out, or am I just wishin. By the way, you saw the gps with your own eyes….80.24….with a 225!!! BD will remember his senkos next week I hope…not gonna watch you light em up with my stuff! BD sure could make alot of side money give “Senko Skippin” lessons….think I counted a 6 skip average last time……Ridiculous….now, If I can only fish some fish for you to catch!!!!!
Hey BD, any chance you can find someone to fix that leakin Detwiler so I can ride shotgun for, lets say, the next 10 tourneys. Youre wearing out my Cooper Cobras!!!! Heck, Ill take a couple of days off and pull yours to BCB if need be!!!! You know how much I like riding shotgun in your rig….only time I ever get to catch up on my sleep. Tired of fishing with toothpicks in my eyes. Think Ill buy you a manual slidemaster soon, probably be cheaper than new tires for my rig!
Dont know what year you have, but I run a 25 Fury on my 06 Cougar with a 225 Pro XS. Numbers with 1/2 tanks of gas and fishing stuff and me 240 are 74.6. I also run a 26 Trophy and with the same load I am getting 75.7.. Dont know about the Fury empty I just dont want to empty my boat. I know with 20 hours on it I went 78.8 with the trophy. and not much in the boat.
Wanna sell the 26p fury? Sorry but Im in the market and I had to ask. I havent run one on my old rig but I think I could turn the 26 pretty well. Thanks
CMC, I have a 09 Puma. It will run 76+ with me, a Small partner, and 30 gallons fuel(20 gal rear/ 10 gal under seat). Thing is, when I fill the livewells and the partner changes to normal size, it drops way down…70-71 mph. What kind of rpms are you turning with your 25 with the livewells full? Interesting that the trophy is a bit faster…I wouldnt have expected that. TX, I will consider it. If youre not in a hurry, give me a chance to get my hands on a 25 Fury or 26ish Trophy….got to find the right set up to outrun the competition with a heavy load before I part with a lightning fast prop. I would have to let you run it first. What part of TX are you located?
Im in College Station. Im looking at a 26 fury or a 27T. Im running the 27t next week to see how badly it kills my hole shot and if I can even turn that beast. The other option is a 25 fury and get it worked.
to carry a heavy load you may wanna consider a 26p Tempest and have it worked.not much to do to a Fury. ive heard lots of horror stories about guys that have had their furys worked.the tempest is still a great prop especially when worked!
Youre rig should be turning in the 5750 + range, The prop is probably a bit too much( id probably try a 24p Fury or Trophy) and you may need someone who knows how to drive a Sabre to take you out and get you comfortable with driving through the chine walk youre experiencing. Im not saying you dont know how to drive,,,,,contrary, you just need a lesson on how to drive that boat ! The Sabre is a blast to drive, and when you get her running right youll love the performance. D.Last edited by dbasketman on June 2nd, 2010, 6:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If I am wrong, somebody will correct me! The way I was taught, an inch of pitch equals about 200 rpm. If you are turning 5000 rpm, and you want to turn 5750, do the math. Decrease pitch by 3 inches. As suggested on this board, raise your jackplate until you start feeling steering torque. Do this with your current prop. Then start lowering the plate 1/4 ” until the torque is almost gone. Record your rpm, and start changing props. I hope you can borrow props for the testing. As you play with props, you will also have to play with prop venting to get a good hole shot. And remember, BCB has said, get your top end first, then work on hole shot. Good luck.
Id try a 24 and see the differiance. I dont know your driving expierence, but you should be able to get into the mid 60s I would think. And those max rpms are way too low.
im with hooter raise your jackplate to the max and then play with props.
arent the pro xs engines supposed to turn more rpms than the optimax?
Your problem isnt the prop. Theres evidently something else going on. JohnM who also posts here on the board is bumping 70 with his Sabre FTD DC / 175 xs setup and will run either a 25 tempest or a 24 Fury. Another Sabre owner may still have a standard Sabre with Merc 175 (non-xs) and he wins the fastest with 71. I think hes running a 25 trophy on his. The issue isnt your prop. I would take it back to the dealer for a full diagnostic on the motor and also make sure your tach is accurate. You will have to learn to deal with chining with a Sabre around 63 – but that setup should be running upper 60s w/ a medium/light load – 65+ fully loaded. Look for posts by JohnM or Mojo on their Sabres. Also search for “sabre” on bassboatcentral.com in the bass cat forum to pick up their posts there.I hope you get this figured out. Im running a 150efi w/ 24p Tempest Plus and getting 63-65 w/ me, stuff, 1/2 tank of gas on my Sabre DC. I know when that 175 pro xs is doing what it should – youll beat me by 4-5mph….BTW – Ive heard with the newer computerized motors, you can drop a coil and not be able to tell other than how far it will turn up. Merc has had a lot of problems with coils in the last couple of years. This is why I think you need a full diagnostic on the motor.Last edited by jstew on June 2nd, 2010, 9:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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