Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Change in performance…
On the last few outings with my 2011 Sabre FTD (Mercury 150 Pro XS), it hasnt been performing quite right…difficult to keep the nose up, doesnt feel as nimble as usual. Last night it dawned on me what it was. Ive added a Humminbird 360 and 2nd graph to the bow, and it must have added enough weight to throw things off. My first step is going to be to lighten up the front compartment (probably dont need the 30 pairs of winter gloves and two tupperwares of unopened baits up there…lol!) but I was wondering if I need to maybe drop the jackplate a smidge to get some more lift? Ive never adjusted the jackplate, as Ive been happy with the performance. By myself, in cool water I can get 63mph out of it before it gets a bit walk-y-er than Im comfortable with, and with two guys and a full livewell, I get 56-58 depending on the size of the guy…lol Ive had the boat for 3 years and in the summer run it 4-5 days a week, so Im pretty dialed in to how it handles and should feel. RPMS are good at WOT and water pressure is 12-17psi depending on speed/trim….2011 Sabre FTD w/ Mercury 150 Pro XS, Power Pole Sportsman 2s, Humminbird 898 w/ 360 and 858 at bow, 898 at ConsoleFor lots of BCB love, follow me on instagram: @professorbeard
Sound like youve added 8 ounces a trip to tackle and in 60 trips thats 30 pounds. Now your pushing the envelope with the last 7-10 pounds or more and yes lowering it will help, as will lessening the load.
I am experiencing the same affects with my sabre but with a 175 pro xs, taking forever to get the nose up and significant speed loss, and I am running light on the nose, 4 rods on the Deck and the front storages empty.Last edited by muddywaters on June 8th, 2017, 5:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
What prop? 2017 Sabre FTD AE DC2017 Yamaha 175 SHOMK Fortrex 80Helix 10 Mega SI in consoleHelix 7 GPS SI GN2 on bow
Are you sure you are not getting snookered by the increased air temps and humidity, which cut down on the oxygen available for the motor to use to burn fuel and make power? 3 months ago my son and I were running right at 75, we are now running about 72.5 on a good day. Bid difference in air density at 40-50 degrees with 10% humidity and air at 90+ degrees with 90+ percent humidity.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
Not sure old timer, I went from running in the high 60s like 69.5 to running in the low 60s like 61.5, and I lost bow lift, I am running a 24 tempest +prop. My rig is in the shop for the recall work now, and i told them to hook it up and run a diagnostic on it while they got it.
Summer heat/humidity has a double whammy.First, you lose power due to reduced oxygen intake.Second, when you lose power, you lose RPM, and this results in an additional power loss since the engine makes max power at somewhere near the max rpm limit. Thats why many run a shallower pitch prop in the summer, to at least get back a few of those RPMs to get power back up somewhat… pretty normal to drop 1″ in pitch in summer, go up again when cooler fall weather arrives.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
Ive posted a bunch about Ivan schooling me on “tackle creep” with my Sabre. Its a very weight distribution critical hull. Mine would run 63 easy “loaded” when I got it. Within a couple years – I thought somebody stole my boat – 58 to 60 was the norm. Ivan told me to use the rear for tackle storage & heavy things. Up front is rods, rain gear, net, a day box or two, and about a dozen bags of soft plastics. Now I consciously load a couple planos with baits Ill most likely need for the day. I got my speeds back and more. Im not having to trim to lift the boat – I trim to LET the boat lift. 10lbs on the bow = 100lbs on the transom = 1mph. On a Sabre, whatever weight is loaded in front of the consoles WILL diminish performance.
jstew wrote:Ive posted a bunch about Ivan schooling me on “tackle creep” with my Sabre. Its a very weight distribution critical hull. Mine would run 63 easy “loaded” when I got it. Within a couple years – I thought somebody stole my boat – 58 to 60 was the norm. Ivan told me to use the rear for tackle storage & heavy things. Up front is rods, rain gear, net, a day box or two, and about a dozen bags of soft plastics. Now I consciously load a couple planos with baits Ill most likely need for the day. I got my speeds back and more. Im not having to trim to lift the boat – I trim to LET the boat lift. 10lbs on the bow = 100lbs on the transom = 1mph. On a Sabre, whatever weight is loaded in front of the consoles WILL diminish performance.Oh yes it makes a huge difference on a air entrapment hull. Thats why my storages are empty and everything I carry is in the rear storage compartments. the only thing I have on the front deck is 4 rods. My tackle as far as plastics goes is in my hip pocket the rest is in the storage compartment at the rear of the boat. When i get the boat back I will Lower the plate a 1/4″ and see what it does. winter or cool weather plate height may not work for the hot humid air.
I did a bit of tackle organizing yesterday, took a bunch of extra tackle out and moved a couple of things out of the front most compartment. Trimmed the front compartment down to rain gear, Save Phace, soft-sided 6 pack cooler that I keep line in, my A-rig box, and a small tupperware with buffs, a pair of gloves, and a couple of spare hats. Definitely helped on this mornings run. I keep all of my tackle in the rear front box…cant imagine having to dig through the back and get my co-angler to move out of the way every time I want to re-tie. Its always run good, but the added weight of the 360 on the trolling motor and the 2nd graph definitely threw things off a little. Think I have it closer to where I started. Might bump the jackplate down just a smidge, but hoping I dont have to because of the Power Pole brackets…2011 Sabre FTD w/ Mercury 150 Pro XS, Power Pole Sportsman 2s, Humminbird 898 w/ 360 and 858 at bow, 898 at ConsoleFor lots of BCB love, follow me on instagram: @professorbeard
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats

