Need help w boat choice

Best for the $$ in room and utility would be the P2 BUT it will be much much harder to sell with the 150 than the 200 would strongly reccomend the 200 optimax. On the other hand the 150 and the Sabre is a well regarded combo and would be easier to sell when the time comes. I know you said you didnt need the speed but coming from 40 years boating expirience you will always want to have the 200 on a Pantera. So If I were in your shoes I would go with the Classic and a 200 there should not be a lot of $$ difference in the purchase price VS the 150 4 stroke but, you wont feel as if you made a mistake and when the time comes to sell it it will be much easier to sell and therefore retain better resale dollars. All IMHOThe Optimax is a proven technology now and is actually better on gas than the four strokes. I also am intrigued with the new 150 but I learned from bitter expirience to NOT buy brand new technology in the first year or two for engines. Early Optimaxes were known as Opti-pops early Fichts were movable grenades and the early rotary engines were 30,000 mile engines. All were fixed and after 2 to 3 years were good motors. I think Merc has a winner in the 150 – 4 stroke but dont swallow the hype, give them a year or two to get rid of the bugs that only show up in real world use and not in factory testing.Irv

for sure i would go with a p2 or a classic, i had a 2007 sabre and it was a nice boat but the ride of a 19 foot is not a little better its way better and for being stable for fishing the classic is much better then the sabre the bow of the boat would sit low and if a wake or if the wind pick up it use to take on water, the classic does not, go with a 19 IMO

I do have some experience in a Classic with a 150 merc. A friend of mine bought it at the same time I bought my classic. It was a single axle package and it was very nice. The boat ran very well and I saw no negatives with the package. It was a low to mid 60s rig loaded down and it was very efficient, especially for a carbed motor. This one had an XR6 on it. Id put the 19 Classic with a 150 on it up against just about any other manufacturers 18 boat performance wise and the Classic would most likely win. Yes, resale may hurt a little but if you plan on keeping the rig for years its not a big deal. And, if you ever do get bit by the speed bug you can sell the 150 h.p. and upgrade to a 200 h.p. Just a thought.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.

Balancing cash with a young family is an elixir that carries legitimate weight per your consideration. 2k is significant and should not be considered lightly. Only you and your family can appreciate that dynamic. Your are buying a bit of BassCat heaven and ONLY you can decide your limits. Personally, Id choose SabreFTD with Mercs 150 fourstroke. To me its a better fit if you are committed to the 150 power plant. As for ride you will not be disappointed one bit with the SabreFTD ride. I have one and I came out of a 20 BassCat Eyra. I absolutely have no complaints. Actually, I am very impressed with my skit, scat, scoot SabreFTD because its fun to drive and fish out of. Also, you will have more then enough power with that setup. Id expect 63-68 mph depending on time of year (cold vs warm fishing season), driving ability and boat setup experience. I personally feel the 150 is a better match for the SabreFTD vs the classic and PII. You will eventually sell your boat and it will be much easier to move when that time comes. With bass boats perception is reality and under powering a boat carries bad karma with perception in the bass boat community. It doesnt make sense but it becomes a reality.Last edited by Flyswatter on April 7th, 2012, 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

i agree with basscat and shap on the 150 and classic, and two other things to consider is a ladder and dual console for your wife and kids to hide behind. even though you wont be blazing across the water with them. your family will appreciate the protection esp your wife!! if you need opinions or help with accesories to install give me shout.PeteLast edited by scubaman154 on April 7th, 2012, 1:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.