Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Evinrude Etec Lower Unity Supremacy, 150HO to 250HO, Brannon need your input
Brannon, I got a question for you. I have a 2008 BassCat Sabre and 2007 150HO Etec that I put over 170 hours on the water last year on my Sabre. My WOT specs documented with GPS pics (70 mph, tournament load) has me running as fast as 175ProXs Mercs. Knowing the 175 ProXs has more ponies to push the Sabre vs. my 150HO Etec the only conclusion I can come up with is Evinrudes lower unit on my 150HO Etec. It seems I can raise my boat higher without compromise to WPSI thus allowing less drag on the water from my boat. Does this hold true with 250 motors on the Pumas and Cougars? I know props and weight plays some into this but that can be somewhat misleading because of the amount of gas in the tank mutes the hull weight differences in my particular model vs. a FTD. Regarding props I have tried the latest on my boat. I have ran 24P Fury, 24P Raker II Blue Printed and BRP Factory 25P Raker II. My best speeds at WOT (NOT RACING and will not) has been with my 25P Raker II in ideal winter weather conditions where I live. I am one of the lucky ones who live south and can fish year round. Moving forward I do plan on upgrading my boat in little less then two years. 1. Does the lower unit benefits from Etec (my opinion) run consitent for 200, 225 an 250 Etec HO size motors? 2. Specifically why does the lower unit excel so much? Side Note: It would be interesting to see how much hull performance gain you would get at WOT with a 175Etec HO on a Sabre. Ill never know because I will be upgrading to P4, Cougar or Puma. Although, It would be fun to drive, run and dial to see what it can do. Also, what are the price differences between the following motors below: Model Year 2009 or 2010 150HO vs. Optimax 150HO vs. 175 ProXs 200 HO vs. 200 Optimax 225 HO vs. 225 ProXs 250 HO vs. 250 ProXs and HPDI Series2 One very satisfied Etec owner. misr12Last edited by misr12 on March 20th, 2009, 6:53 pm, edited 3 times in total.
I had like a page typed here and decided to leave it at See ya at the OI.
Tom and JOHN, the reason that your hanging so well with that 165hp motor with the 192hp or so 175 Pro XS is that your boat weighs about 500lbs less than Johns, NOW THATS FUNNY RIGHT THERE……just kidding guys, anyways I feel that like always the Evinrudes have always had more usable torque than the Mercs, it was like that way back and its like that now….Im not bashing anyone just stating facts….Your lower unit design is a mystery to me, because most guys say that a Bullet style lower unit like Yammies or BRPs actually are slower, because their is a bigger piece of the unit in the water, it doesnt make since to me because when you look at the Hammer style lower on a 150 DPL E-TEC, its way big and bulky…..plus your motor has higher water scoops stock, so you can jack her up to levels that Merc cannot, unless you add the scoops, but I still think John is not up as high…….maybe im wrong…..All I can say is that you guys that supposedly risked buying a Junk motor are really happy, love that 2.6liter sound, its superior OIL Consumption….and yes Tom the advantage works its way up the ladder……The Boys at BCB will even tell you that the best motor in their tests for the Pantera 4 is the 200 HO E-TEC or DI back in the day, thats why you see alot of them with BRP motors, Rick and Ivan said its simply the way the hull and lower unit work together……As for the Future…..well guys that doubt us LOOK OUT…….with the advantage proven in the 1.7liter V4 HO, as in the 115ho and 130 v4, they both have Ram Air cold air induction that really slams it down the throttle bodies, then they have the 1 piece exhaust design of the 250 HO with the newer Exhaust Valve technology……Guys look for the 2.6liter to start to produce 205hp at the prop, and having improved torque, less weight……..I told BRP to call it the 200 E-TEC and then for us Sabre Guys the 2.6liter H.O………The 250 HO is a absolute animal, Im sick of guys that have never even run or seen one saying that they are slow or blow up….See guys thats like me giving opinions on the Bad Boy 300 XS, ive never driven one, all I know is they Rock n Roll on a High Performance hull…….Guys BRP is the real deal, they are run by young guys that care about what you guys care about….they update and change things quickly if they need to, they dont have to wait for the stuffy old chair people to approve or disapprove……for all of the doubters out there simply meet up with the Boys at Teal Point and go for a ride, if a 150 HO impresses you a 274hp, 300ft lbs of 3.4liter V6 will get you all Excited and is better than the “Little Blue Pill” from what my guys say……anyone can call me anytime about stuff…….Brannon 920-295-2069 MARKSQUALITYMARINE.COM Your Signature …
John, I think there will be a lot of “clarification” on speed and boat setup once you guys get to the OI…..LMAO I still dont understand how a 150 with a 25″ prop turning 5500 rpms can run the same speed as a 175 turning a 26 Tempest to close to 5900….somebodys tach is off….LOL Fuzzy math? Just curious
Tach is OFF???? Guys quit being that desperate….he has the most informative and accurate gauges they are called I Command, and guys its accurate….the answer I think is that BCB designed the hull for a 150 HP outboard, at least thats what I was told….either that or the 175 is only putting out 167.5 which is the other side of the 10% rule, maybe that explains it all? The HO is 10% above and the Pro is 10% below stated HP? Maybe that is the answer, maybe we are being Bamboozeled…….Who Knows, all questions will be answered on OUR SIde at the OI, thats for sure…..BYour Signature …
I dont think so. Its digital (meaning) I-Command NMEA2000 computer bus network gauge. The real test is for us to find mid 40 degree weather. That is how the top speeds are run consistently. Anyone who are doubters would like to come down to Birmingham when the weather is good and cold Ill be happy to invite you down for a nice run demo in my boat. Right now with temps are running in mid 70s. I had to go to my 24P prop because I am fearful that the temps with my 25P on RPMS. I guess I need to slap my 25P prop back on and spend more time with it in warmer temps. Also, please reference my posted pics http://bbcboards.zeroforu…0ho-etec-693-mph-on-gps. The pics tell the truth. I read a fairly recent Triton guy that posted numbers that folks doubted over on the BBC BassCat forum. I just sat watched and read. Come see me during these winter cool season. This is something I put a lot of time in. I can remember thinking I couldnt get above 5400 rpms in my boat with a 24p prop. Someone took me out and showed me how to drive my boat. Thanks Falco! That was 170 hours ago on my motor. I feel very confident now that I can dial in ANY or similar Etec 150HO Sabre setup and after dialing everything in I can hit similar numbers per winter weather temps. Also, I do not have a HOT motor whatever that means. I remember posting here how happy I was to hit 66.2 on the GPS. The difference between then and now is I dedicated more time dialing in my boat setup. If you have humminbird 797 series units I have recorded my runs you can see for yourself. Otherwise come on down and see for yourself. To show you what a difference rising temps can make I went out with my son yesterday and only this 67 on the GPS with the two people in my boat with my 24p Raker II with 17.86 gallons in the tank (digital i-command) gas gauge. What I find a bit humorous is how willing everyone accepted the MERCs 150 XR6 hitting 71 plus on the GPS with posted GPS pics. Agreeably so it was universally accepted. Hmm…. I respected that and move on. I compliment that and move on. Nothing wrong with their tachs and their is nothing wrong on my Sabre Etec tach either! That is bad form. Hey, if a 175ProXS hit 73 GREAT!!!! I am rooting for ya. I think it can be done with the right setup in winter cold air temps. Back to my point. I suspect to maximize boat speeds per HP Rating is greatly impacted by boat lift for less drag. My post was directed to Brannon who is a respected Etec dealer. So Brannon I assume now that the Etec lower unit less drag theory is a incorrect in thought. So my next thought would be boat lift and motor height relating to faster WOT speeds. Am I on the right track? If so am I correct to assume that this is relative to all motors from 150s to 250s. Last Q Brannon. Can you comment on cost differences between OEM motor setups. Does that get a bit messy with promotions? misr12
Misr12, Im not saying you didnt run what you posted, Im just saying the numbers dont add up. Using an industry standard such as a Prop Slip Calculator, you should be running 63 mph with a normal 10% slip factor, with your 25″ prop @ 5500 rpms. Using the same calculator, my rig turning a 26″ prop @ 5900 equates to 70 mph with 10% slip, which is exactly what I run. Your gear ratio is 1:86:1 mine is 1.87:1. By the way, I have Smartcraft DIGITAL gauges in my boat. Bottom line is if youre running 70gps, then youre turning that 25″ to way more than 5500 Rs http://www.go-fast.com/Prop_Slip_Calculator.htm Not trying to stir the pot. IF youre happy with your boat than thats all that matters. Me personally, I spent all of 30 minutes tweaking mine and run the original prop. Id rather spend my time on the lake fishing. Have a good dayLast edited by angler557 on March 21st, 2009, 3:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
To add 1″ of pitch for cupping. If your running a 25 pitch prop you should be plugging in 26 in the calculator. This is quoted from the slip calculator instructions. “Slip is figured by comparing this theoretical speed to the actual measured speed. By the way, for these calculations, add 1″ to the pitch if your prop is cupped. (Just about all hi-performance props are)”
Angler 557, I read about the slip calculations…… I have put in the time to tell you this about my setup. Regarding my RPMS @ 5500 in winter temps I am hitting 69.3 to 70 at WOT with a BRP Factory 25P Raker II prop. I could turn more RPMS with the prop but the best bite on the water is at 5500 RPMS. This I know for a FACT! Does the Slip calculator take air temps and humidity in to their calculations? My motor height is at 2 5/8″ to 2 1/2″ below pad too. I am at heights very few report or run at. Nothing fuzzy about what I am doing. I am not stirring the pot either. I am posting as honestly as I can with pics per my final results. Also, I try to detail info as clear as I can to describe what I have accomplished. I do this to get feedback in order to possibly better my performance. As for fishing. Hmmmm…. I chuckle because this past winter the fishing has been very slow on my lake so what the heck lets see what shell do. Also, its not an all day endeavor. Again, I never read posts from anyone questioning or making comments about 150Xr6 guys hitting 71 plus with their Sabres and 150 Merc setups. I applaud them like everyone else. After posting on these sites one starts feel an air of a double standard between blue and black rather then tip the cap and say well done look at that sabre run regardless of the motor on the back end. At the end of the day I have come to realize there is so much more to actualizing the best possible WOT speed then the number on your motor cowling. Things like motor height, trim level, optimizing your prop and lower unit equal time cash. In my endeavors outside the lines of fishing I have enjoyed it very much. I am curious with the committed time on a Sabre what a 175HPDI, Opti or ProXS what the numbers would be? I can only assume 71-73mph.. If the rumor is true that Evinrude is coming out with a 175HO Etec WOW I would enjoy the experience putting a Sabre/SabreFTD and 175HO Etec to its paces. Ill never know but its a fun thought. I digress no more on this. Now back to Brannon. How about my last post regarding WOT performance and how it relates to motor height to reduce friction on the water. misr12
Can you guys stop with the stupid prop calculators and just say, cool, good for you and move on, or are you upset or something….My gosh, the guy has done more for Current Bass Cat Sabre Owners this year than ANYONE, period…..It doesnt matter if its a Sabre or Sabre FTD, same EXACT hull, and Guys, Tom has that thing called a deck extension which knowing BCB is designed for a dump truck to be driven on….My point is the Sabre FTD Single console and similar options, and a Sabre with deck ext and similar options are going to weigh the darn same, within a couple pounds, give it up…..Just cause the guy is Really Spreading the E-TEC Word and he does it perfectly, not as abrasively as myself at times, LIKE KNOW…..its so dumb….it Tom had a 175 HPDI wed have no questions, people would just say,”wow those yammies are rippin motors, Good Job, Thumbs up, Cheers to the Beers”, but because its the Scary Evinrude E-TEC, and its ONLY GUYS a LITTLE 150, whats their to type about??? its not even gonna be a comparison, guys you have a REAL 165hp Etec vs. a 188-192 (dynoed)hp of the 175 PRO XS, on a very light 18ft high performance hull, guess what this is a NO BRAINER, BUT ONLY ON PAPER or a computer screen, because in real life, he may take the pro xs on Hole shot, well thats simply inexcusable if that happens, 20+hp more power and less hole shot, that doesnt make sense, and what if the Mid Range Power over comes, thats even weirder because they both would be full steam ahead, and then at the end if its even CLOSE, well then that means the E-TEC is under rated, or the Pro is Over rated, Either way, heres what to be excited about…………100s, and 100s, of Bass Cat Boats…….and at Teal Point, with Johns, Tom Hs, Tom Moores, Waynes, and Oh wait Rons Little Kitty, the most expensive 2008 Sabre FTD EVER>>>>> Good Job Ron, luckily you got the usual good guy Brannon discount that we dont discuss……IT is going to be awesome…..see guys Im not a D-ck in real life, Im a Single Dad and will bring my 10yr old son Miles down, and hopefully some of the slower drivers can take him for a ride, hes never been in one yet, but loves speed, in cars more than boats….he hates chine walking…….Guys seriously, I sell Mercury and Evinrude, I know both motors very well, I am being serious when I say here and now that im allowed back at BBC, that Im here to learn , and If I can share real performance #s so guys know certain motors run, and we do not lie on that crap, if we have a pic or video, we share it……This years OI is going to be my first, and Rick and Ivan and the whole crew are just awesome people that care all about their job, which in any workplace is darn near impossible…..Good Night, Brannon Your Signature …
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