Pantera and Sabre power

On the Sabre FTD there is not enough performance difference to justify the added cost of the 175. By the time you put a 175 on and all your options you are very close to a P2 with a 200 as far as price. The P2 and P4 both need 200HP engines. The special circumstances BCB is talking about regarding the 175 would be storage constraints on going to a 19 boat. In that case maxing out a Sabre FTD would not be as big a deal because you cant gt to the larger rig anyway. Hope this helps.

bamaflyer, Any of the boats you mentioned would be a fine purchase. I would recomend buying the one you like the best and can afford the most. As far as the engine combo, these days theyre all good. If you are not partial to one brand pick the one that looks best with your boat color. You will not be unhappy with your Cat, I still grin every time I look at my boat. John S.

Not all Small Block V6s are equal, a while back most will remember Flyswatter and John bouncin back and forth for speeds on their 150 HO Etec vs. 175 Pro XS, and If I remember right on that fight the 150 was faster…..granted 40lbs or so lighter, but that doesnt make a difference. I have driven Panteras with 200 Optis and 200 HO etecs, they both fly and perform about the same in that models category, ive not driven a Yamaha much on that one…..Hope that helps?????

HOman, that is not exactly accurate. Although my 150HO Etec ran 70 mph twice there were some advantages I had with my boat being 40 lbs lighter and being a single console. I truly feel and have seen guys with the 175 motor setup getting 71 plus. All things being equal if John would stop carrying BPS tackle store he would be getting to that 71 plus too in ideal weather conditions. In reality he prefers it that way is still has great numbers at 69 mph. However getting back to the original post you have to decide the cost difference vs. mph and mpg between any 150 vs. 175. All that said they both will carry the Sabre quite well. I think Bama96 has it nailed. Most go up to 200 Pantera models vs. 175 Sabre FTD models unless you have garage restrictions. I will say that the 150HO Etec is one BA motor and will flat out run. Last edited by Flyswatter on July 17th, 2010, 12:52 am, edited 1 time in total.