Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Bravo 1 FS Prop on Sabre
Jeff-1970.
I have been fiddling with setup on my 17 Sabre FTD Advantage Elite with a Yamaha 175 SHO for a while now. I was running a 24″ SHO Vmax non vented prop that has been blueprinted and dynamically balanced. My boat has dual consoles and a MK Fortrex on the front, 15 rods/reels, a Plano tackle bag with 7 3750 boxes with hard baits in the front rear compartment, so its a bit front heavy, but thats the way I prefer to have access to my tackle. So the SHO prop, while doing OK just lacked a bit of lift, particularly at mid speeds of 4500 RPM or so. Best speed I saw was 69 and 5900 RPM in cool weather here in Alabama.Ive run 4 bladed props on almost every boat Ive ever had, and just like the overall “feel” better, so after doing a LOT of research, and talking with a member here, and calling Scott at Mercury Racing, decided to go to the “newish” Bravo 1 FS in a 25″ pitch. The only difference in the XS and FS is the number of plugs in the prop…the XS has 8 and the FS (four stroke) has 4 solid plugs standard. It is a large diameter prop…15.25″. From my understanding in talking with Mercury, the 25″ starts life as a 24″ and they just add some cup to make it “act” like a 25. The “actual” behavior of the Bravo 1 XS/FS is approximately one inch less in pitch. It also has a shorter barrel with just a smidge of flare. So if you are running a 3 blade stiff prop, you need to step up an inch with this prop, and if you run a 3 Blade Fury, step up 2″. The props come from Mercury Racing, so are “Pro Finished” which supposedly means meets specs and is balanced out of the box.The PTP is 3″…I want to tweak that a bit, but my water pressure gauge is acting up, so I was going by engine temp. Weather was high humidity and mid 80s in temperature on Lake Martin, AL this past weekend. Tried first with 2 plugs out of the prop…hole shot was good. Put the two solid plugs back in, and it got out of the hole in 3 seconds…this was with 30 gallons of fuel and just me. Speed was 68 at 6000 rpm. Midrange acceleration is unreal. Boat will stay up at 3500 to 4000 rpm. Easier to drive, handling was MUCH improved, and rough water conditions were no problem. Bow lift is excellent and stern lift is just right. The 175 SHO has the reputation of being a hard engine to prop, but on the Sabre its a good match. I think when I find out whats wrong with the water pressure gauge, I will be able to raise the engine another 1/4 to 1/2 inch and see an increase in both speed and rpm, but I am very pleased with this new prop and Im done fooling with props. Might not be a prop you are interested in, but from my research and conversations, it appears to be a good choice for me.
Nice review! I will be picking up my eyra in about a month and have been considering testing a bravo xs/fs on that setup. All aspects sound like what Im looking for. Better hole shot, better midrange lift, more secure handling, similar top end numbers. We shall see soon and Ill provide feedback when I get to run it.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.
I run the 25 fury on my 13 p2. The top end is great. The hole shot is awesome. Midrange well no lift hardly. Boat turns 5600 to 5700 depending on weather. I have considered either the fury 4 or the bravo xs. Seems most of my running is around 4500 to 5000 rpms. But still enjoy wat topend i have at least twice a trip for a midday and evening run due to my idle time graphing. 90 percent of my fishing is between december and may with a few night trips in the warmer months. Though i think one of the 4 blades is better suited for me as well. Just not alot of info on a p2 with the bravo. I couldnt imagine a 27 pitch though
Redngoo…In all my research, everything said that if youre running a Fury 3, because it is so stiff, to go up two inches in pitch for the Bravo 1 XS. Im assuming youre running a Mercury XS engine, and that is what they recommend. Scott at Mercury Racing is a very nice fellow to talk with and will help you figure out what you need based on your present numbers. Like you, most of my running is done around the 4500 mark, with occasional WOT runs when the conditions or my mood is right. This prop is night and day in the midrange acceleration and lift. Also in turns…it will turn much quicker, at higher trim levels. Its the closest thing Ive run thats similar to the old Predator Eagle I had on my mid 90s PII, which was a great prop, but impossible to find now.
Yes i do run a 200 pro xs. I let Ronnie Gilbert work the 25 fury and probably ready to go back as its been about 2 yrs. I will say he performed magic on my current 25 fury. He improved my prop a 100 percent. I come out of a caracal that i had owned since 89. That boat flew high with a trophy. I just hate to buy anything not having tested one for myself and ending up with a door stop for my shop. My buddy with a puma bought a fury 4 and had it worked as well (spent alot of money) and wont even run it! This is not wat i want. Probabally 98 percent of the late model p2 i see have a 24, 25 or 26 fury with a occasional tempest. I figure bcb knows wat is best for their hull and seems they do reccomend a 25 fury on the p2. As noted earlier just not much info on the bravo or fury 4 on the p2.
Midnight Rider, how does the Bravo load the boat on the trailer. I hear a 4 blade will not push the boat while loading like a 3 blade. I run a regular Sabre and tried a Fury 3 in a 23P and found it would not lift the boat as well as a Tempest nor was the holeshot as good. Top end also went to the Tempest while loaded down. I like you and Redngoo am more interested in hole shot and midrange than top speed. I run a light load, do you think the Bravo 1XS would work for a Sabre with a light load?
I have been running a 24 Fury 4 on my 2016 PII. I have twin Power Poles, so went with a 24 pitch to improve holeshot during the hot summer months in Louisiana.The Fury 4 has a very quick hole shot, even with poles and live wells full. Compared to the Fury 3, the bow comes up higher during hole shot. Bow lift is very good at low speeds. Acceleration once out the hole is impressive.I put the 24 Fury 3 back on for a bit, but went back to the Fury 4. I Just like the over all performance.My best speed with the Fury 4 was 70.9. I average 68-69 loaded and live wells full.I normally cruise at 50-55 mph. Which is running around 4600 rpm.
basscathash1 wrote:Midnight Rider, how does the Bravo load the boat on the trailer. I hear a 4 blade will not push the boat while loading like a 3 blade. I run a regular Sabre and tried a Fury 3 in a 23P and found it would not lift the boat as well as a Tempest nor was the holeshot as good. Top end also went to the Tempest while loaded down. I like you and Redngoo am more interested in hole shot and midrange than top speed. I run a light load, do you think the Bravo 1XS would work for a Sabre with a light load? My dealer tried to tell me the same thing, curious where you heard that from? Ran a trophy on the old Classic and never had an issue on any angle ramp, Ive got a trophy plus on my Sabre FTD and dont have an issue either loading it on the trailer. I agree the Fury doesnt have the lift of the Tempest when loaded. I like the small hub 4-blade as it ventilates well, but might to try a large hub with 8 vent holes for comparison.
basscathash1 wrote:Midnight Rider, how does the Bravo load the boat on the trailer. I hear a 4 blade will not push the boat while loading like a 3 blade. I run a regular Sabre and tried a Fury 3 in a 23P and found it would not lift the boat as well as a Tempest nor was the holeshot as good. Top end also went to the Tempest while loaded down. I like you and Redngoo am more interested in hole shot and midrange than top speed. I run a light load, do you think the Bravo 1XS would work for a Sabre with a light load? I found no difference between the SHO 24″ 3 blade and the Bravo 1FS in loading on the trailer…in fact, it might be a little better. There is a VAST difference in the mid range performance and overall lift, regardless of speed, but particularly in the 4K rpm range, which is where I normally run. If you have a 175 XS and are moving from a 23″ Fury 3, go with the 25″ Bravo 1 XS with the 8 holes. With the 4 stroke Yamaha SHO, I have solid plugs in the 4 holes on the FS, but the 4 stroke makes more torque down low, so no need for prop slippage to get the rpm up in the power band. I tried it with 2 holes open and found it worked better with the solid plugs that came in the prop.Keep in mind that the “new” Bravo 1 XS/FS prop is NOT the same prop as the older Bravo 1. It is a large diameter prop and the barrel is shorter, with a lot less flare. Just a tiny bit of flare to help lift the stern. Plus, you can run the prop a bit higher…1/2 to 3/4″. Mercury Racing division designed these props and they come with a “Pro Finish”, which, from what I read, means it is good out of the box, with correct pitch and cup, plus it is balanced. Also has sharper leading edges than a “regular” prop. With a light load your Sabre should scream. I will gladly give up 1 mph to have a boat that handles and runs better overall, plus gets better fuel economy.
Thanks Midnight Rider. I have a Bravo 1 XS 25P on the way. Should be here in a couple days.
Great post! I’m considering going to the FS and having my fury 24 3 blade as a backup. Nick from mercury racing suggested a 25, would a 25.5 or perhaps a 26 better be suited for the new 2019 175 XS 4S. I do not like carrting my tackle in the rear compartments. I want hole shot and lift and the driveability sounds good too. I’ve seen 69 and it walked and I slowed down 🙂
That is too much wheel for the new 175 four stroke engine. It will never carry a load on that rig as efficiently as other propellers will.
Bass Cat Boats:
That is too much wheel for the new 175 four stroke engine. It will never carry a load on that rig as efficiently as other propellers will.
Please explain too much wheel? Pitch, or the fact that it is a four blade? I really want to store up front, but currently the nose feels like it’s plowing with my gear up front.
Jeff, I run a 26 Bravo 1xs a lot on my Sabre with 175 2 stroke.  It’s got a rocket hole shot, great lift and midrange punch, and it carries 2 guys very well.  When it was stock, it ran right around  69.0 solo & 68.0 with a partner with half fuel running 1/4 above flush on the plate.  I had it worked after dinging it, and it’s a bit faster now (69.2) at that height…68.0 with a partner.  Solo rpms at stock were 5830 and now 5800 after being tuned up a bit.  It’s probably like a 26.5 now.  I lose about 50 rpms with a partner.  These numbers are at 1/2 fuel & empty livewells.  It runs 47-48 without any trim, and with just a bump up I can run mid 50’s very softly in a good chop.  Hole shot is crazy fast, and the midrange is unreal…even running it at flush on the plate.  It’s the best performing “all around” prop I’ve ran.  I like it best at flush on the plate, and it’s a no brainer to drive.
I don’t know anything about the new 4 stroke though, so I have no idea how if it would turn a 26 Bravo. BCB knows their stuff, and I’d definitely listen to them.  A 25 Bravo ran 3 mph slower on my boat, and hole shot/midrange was the same.  Midnight Rider likes the 25 Bravo FS on his Sabre, and his numbers are similar to my 26, but he gets more rpms.  Different motor than yours though, so you’d have to try one.
I have a 24 Fury, and mine plows at low speeds in chop regardless where my tackle is placed.  It’s the fastest solo or with 2 guys (69.4-68.5) with 1/2 fuel running it at flush on the plate.  I don’t really like it for rough water.  It bounces me around in 1-1.5 foot waves, and it will surface occasionally running about 50-55 in 1’ chop.  Maybe I need to lower the motor below flush for the Fury, and I’ll probably try that next time.  If the water is calm, then I prefer the Fury.  I don’t have any issue with chine.  I just tap up in increments, slowly, once it’s at 1/4 trim.  I work the steering wheel left and back to even the boat out at WOT.  It gets great bow lift and stays hooked up nicely in a tiny chop running 69+.  I don’t over trim it as it might shoot me to the moon.
Just my opinion to keep your rpms up with new 4 stroke if you’re not happy with the Fury…try a 24 Tempest or 25 Bravo.  Maybe even a 24 Fury 4.  The hole shot, midrange, and top end of the 24 Tempest was pretty close to my 26 Bravo.  Rpms were 5950 at near 69 mph solo with 1/2 fuel.  It ran right at 68 with 2 people. It had better lift at lower speeds than the Fury, and it ran chop a lot better.  My personal favorite for choppy to rough water is a 25 Tempest.  Good hole shot, good lift even with 2 people, and the ride in chop is almost as good as my last 20’ Cat when running the Fury.  I can run mid 60’s in those 1 footers like it’s nothing.  I can do that with the Bravo, but it’s not as soft.  The Tempest is scratched up with some tiny dings, but it tops out at 68.8 @ 5880 rpms with 1/2 fuel solo and 67. 3 @ 5750 with 2 people running it 1/8 above flush.  The choppy to rough water ride is better than any other prop I’ve ran.  I made a buddy drive it last time on Conroe’s wave pool so I could get a feel from the passenger side.  He got on it faster than I would’ve, and I didn’t need a seat belt at all.  It was the first time he’s ever driven a BassCat, and he was very impressed.  He’s got an 18’ S boat, and he likes mine way better.  He said we would have been soaked in his boat in that wave pool.  Personally, I think a lot had to do with that 25 Tempest.
I believe Rothwell marine will let you swap prop pitches if you’re not happy.  I’d call them.  I’d try a 25 Bravo first on that new 4 stroke as everyone says to pitch down on the new motors.  I wouldn’t sleep on a 24 Tempest either.  With that said, I don’t think any other prop you try will be faster than the 24 Fury. Keep it near flush on the plate is my $.02.  My 24 Fury rides way better in chop or WOT at flush on my Sabre.  Even raising it 1/8 affects the rough water ride.  My boat is very sensitive to motor height with any prop, and I just keep the plate at or 1/8 above flush.  If I fished small lake or rivers, I’d run the Fury all the time.  It’s all a matter of what type of performance you’re looking for.
Sorry for the long essay, but I hope this helps you out.
Too much pitch is the situation.
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