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Ive been curious about this since I got the Sabre 8 years ago. Exactly where do you measure the pad? Not sure if its universal on cats – but my pad is flat on the outsides and concave in the middle. Every brand / model seems to have its own “pad” design, yet the question always arises around props / setups – whats your prop to bad? Do I measure from the center of the pad – or the lowest part of the hull?I finally broke down the other day just to see where I was. Im a touch over 3.5″ below pad, using the outside flats as a measuring point. Leveled the outsides of the pad and measured to the floor. Leveled the cav plate on the motor and measured from the point of the LU bullet to the floor. Subtracted the two and came out at 3.5″ Did I do this right?
It can be done that way. But not the preferred method by bcb. Search the forums its there. I read it a while back.I was taught the same way. Always got me close enough as a GOOD STARTING POINT. The final tweaking will be done thru Trial and run technique anyway! 2013 PANTERA 2MERCURY 200 PRO XSMINNKOTA 80LB FORTREX25 fury
Jeff is very familiar with trial and running props. I think his question is more of a clarification as he is very inquisitive and wants to know what specific portion is measured lowest point(outer edge of pad) or center ( concave) area . Its his nature to tinker. Relatively speaking its a fraction of an inch. But he carries a load in that sabre when two are fishing so hes always chasing wabbits96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
Thanks Alan. Redngoo – I have a pretty stout 150efi thatll run 67 light with a fresh 24 Tempest Plus and 65 with a pristine A40 small barrel 24 Trophy on tourney mornings. I get asked a lot what my prop to pad is. On these boards setting JP 1/2″ above flush is understood. To the rest of the bass boat community I wanted an understood measurement. Most brands measure center of pad.
http://basscatowners.yuku.com/topic/122 … ine-heightJim EbarbMany, LA (Toledo Bend Lake)2004 Cougar/ 225 OptimaxHumminbird Helix 12 Chirp SI on BalzOut Mount at bowLowrance HDS 7 at bowHumminbird Helix 12 Mega SI on Ram Mount at ConsoleLowrance HDS 8 in dash at console
Yes! That is exactly the post I was talking about! In the past with the old cat I always measured just the way u did. Guess it a old school method but seemed to work. I always measured from the lowest point in the center of the boat to the center of the nose of the foot. When I saw the post on measuring motor height I was enlightened. The old cat ran at 3 3/8. The new cat I not really sure I have a hyd. Plate and just know wat number on a gauge and by feel. Though very seldom run over 5 k.2013 PANTERA 2MERCURY 200 PRO XSMINNKOTA 80LB FORTREX25 fury
Thanks toledobasser Ill bet thats what Jeff was looking for, the area on the pad being the lowest part. There are quite a few Cats that run manual jackplates and those measurements/pics clear things up. Its also good for those who run hydraulic plates. Lot of questions start out with “I have a Cougar/Puma with a 250, whats a good prop to pad measurement?” Maybe a good topic to put as a permanent sticky at top of the FAQ section.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
This is exactly what I was looking for. Even on the BCB Proper method post – it talks about the “centerline of the pad”. Look at the centerlines of our pad and its a concave surface – its not flat. No true place to measure from and its 3/8″ or so above the outside flats at the back point. When you look at this picture – he has the straight edge on the outside “flat” of the pad. Its not the center point – its the lowest point. That is where I measured and I was looking for clarification where other BCB owners did a PTP measurement. I appreciate the BCB method – but I dont have enough hands to pull that off myself – nor does the guy in the picture. Ive had several pictures shared with me of others setups – and its always the top of the jackplate ( distance above flush). Problem with that is all jackplates arent installed in exactly the same place and the difference has to be noted as part of the comparison. I guess my question should have been – where to you make your pad measurement when you measure prop to pad? That wouldve been more specific to what I was looking for clarification on.
The center line is a flat surface and all models vary on the actual pad surface. The best option to get close in the concave area. There is a description on how to measure on the FAQ section in the first few pages. It lists Proper in the title since the search engine is not working that will help.
The picture I posted came from the FAQ section in the proper method post. You can easily see where he established his pad measurement. I wasnt meaning to stir up a can of worms. Ive been quite successful at setting up my hull over many years. I asked the question because I sent one of my props in to be balanced & blueprinted. The question was asked – whats your prop to pad? Not everyone speaks the BCB language of pad to hook or distance above flush. PTP is the universal language my prop guy understands.
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