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I have a 2011 Sabre FTD – Mercury 150 ProXS with a Trophy Plus 25p prop. I am running 61-62 @ 5200 rpms. Is there a better prop suggested for this boat? Original build sheet listed a “tempess 25in” which i am guessing is the Tempest Plus 25p. I have a friend running a Fury 25p on a boat of equal weight/same motor with better top end.
Jeffhavey2, go to page 2, Got the Sabre out yesterday. There are bunch of Sabre guys chasing the rabbit. Some have 175s some 150″s, but that might get you started. I am running a 24 Fury on a 175 pro sx. When and if I ever learn how to drive it the thing will really run. I just need oldtimer57 to come give me driving lessons. There is lots of knowledge out there and a lot of Sabre guys that are more than willing to help. John
I am Currently running a 24 tempest plus on my sabre with a 175 pro xs. RPMs with a analog tach are around 5800, I have run up to 69.4 mph by gps, never broke the magical 70 mph mark yet, but I aint thru either. when I hit 69.4 I was on fairly choppy water and was having to drive the tar out of the boat. It was a 65 degree day That day, I had a Half tank of gas and empty livewells, but I had around 100 pounds of tackle and gear with me. they tell me that your trolling motor brand is good for 1-2 mph, Sabres with motor guides are faster, slower with minn kotas. I dont Know this to be fact, just what I have been told. I do Know this to be first hand truth, cause I have experienced it, Tempest props have more Lift than Fury and carry a load better for My sabre. I am waiting to here some numbers from another member here that was fixing to try a worked 25 trophy.
If 5200 is WOT then I would suggest a 23 tempest plus. I have a friend with a 14 model Sabre with 150 pro xs and runs a 24 Tempest plus at 65-66 alone in cooler weather. Summer with 2 people he gets 61 at only 5400. He needs a 23 in summer
Ive chased the rabbit with an 08 Sabre w/ 150efi. My hulls a touch slower, but the efi was stronger, so basically even. My best has been 67 on GPS tickling the limiter, light fuel, low 60s, by myself with a 24 Tempest. Ive also run a 24 Fury and 24 A40 Trophy. In the middle of summer heat, Ill drop down to a 23 Tempest for tourney loads. Of the three prop models: Tempest is the best “all around” prop. Carries load better than the Fury and accelerates faster to speed. Fury is a tough wheel for the 150 to spin. Its fast but needs space to stretch out. Trophy is the best “load” prop. I need to get mine worked to dial down the slip, but the boat feels like its barely touching the water aired out. What I have learned is higher on the plate and a lot less trim will make it run. I prefer a lot of stern lift from the prop (load carrying) and just enough trim for the hull to run clean with minimal wheel torque. Any rooster tail will be long and low. I keep the bow light so it lifts more from trapping air than trying to carry the bow by the prop. A worked prop from a good prop doc makes the hull come alive. Chine walk? – enough time in the seat and sneaking up on speed and youll not even realize youre having to drive it.
Yep, on the shallower pitch prop. I would start with a 23p Fury 3, if Mercury made one. But they start at 24p. I am running a boat that is similar albeit a bit longer (classic 191″) with a 200 pro xs. I ran a 2.5 carbed motor for years and a 24p was about right unless you bump it up to a 175 where a 25 is probably better. Running a Tempest I would have to try a 24 myself to get the RPM number up some. Not a fan of the 4 blade props although some swear by them. 5200 rpm is a bit low as that is going to drop further in July/August and take you right out of the power band of the motor (you are already really on the bottom edge as is), which is a double whammy in terms of speed/performance. If that is a 5750 max rpm motor I would want to be at least running 5500 this time of the year if not a bit more. Lugging hurts everything.As a reminder, dont trust an analog tach too much. Smartcraft numbers are good, analog tach is a SWAG at best. Analog speedo is useless.BTW as far as driving goes, “time fixes all problems.” When my son started driving my classic (he is 39) he had issues. Hed always run it up the creek and back to the boat ramp. When he started, he was reaching 65-66 and having to back off due to chine walking. I showed him what to do, what to look for, and the next time, 67. After a couple of weeks he hit 70. Last time we went out, he hit just over 73 and ran out of water before running out of motor. I have run 78.5 once, myself, although I dont think it will run past 76 or so now that we are hitting upper 80s in temp, and humidity. So you will get there so long as you remain careful and dont kill yourself pushing too hard too fast. My advice to anyone is “this is supposed to be fun, so drive it where it is fun to drive and work on pushing beyond that point slowly.” First thing you know, you will have fun driving at WOT, and then you can focus on other things like better fuel mileage so your wife doesnt think you are driving an 18 wheeler based on fuel usage. Last edited by oldtimer57 on April 18th, 2017, 4:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
Thanks for the input guys. I have to test some of this out. Ill post what I come up with.
My 08 Sabre had a Tempest 23p, Mercury 150EFI. Good hole shot, would run 60-61 with me and my son. I ran 61 with two 8 foot power poles, 5840 RPMs per the Merc Monitor, probably the rev limiter. I think I got 63 without the power poles. Boat was a breeze to drive and zero chine walk but guess it wasnt fast enough. Great boat though, I really enjoyed it. Last edited by C130 on April 19th, 2017, 3:04 am, edited 2 times in total.
I am very pleased with the 24 fury on my 2011 Sabre ftd with the 150 optimax.
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