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monte1.
Seen reports with Rick running this rig. My question is has anyone been in Ranger 118c and this boat? 118c is very stable and solid when fishing. How is the Sabre ftd? The Sabre ftd obviusly is a faster boat by far and garage length to store it much easier than the 118c. With trolling motor down is the question and when running does it rock back and forth a lot or is it real stable? Hated the tr196 from Trition. Fast boat but was like on bowl when running. Rocked a lot and didnt like that at all. Looks like the deck is much smallet than the 118c but so is space storing it. Plus with you being all the way forward really looks to fish just as big. Looking at the new Caracal too. Like the wide body but this boat intrigues me a lot too because space to store it and ease of use. Plus investment $$$ to buy it. This will be my last boat and ill be retiring in it whicher way i end up going. Just any help from people thats been in both would be great.
I had an 08 Sabre FTD/175 ProXS. If I had a bubba in the back I could feel them walking around a little bit but nothing like fishing from an old rear tank 86″ beam Champion. They sit a little nose high at rest but that was a plus when I was up front. It leveled out real nice when I crawled up there and took VERY little input from the trolling motor to put it where I wanted it vs the old Rangers I had. I cant comment on the newer Ranger hulls!Overall I felt the Sabre FTD was a fantastic 18 platform, so much so I tried to buy another when we moved back into a house with a smaller garage. Right now trading a paid for Cougar for a 18 boat with a payment isnt in the cards. The boat with a 175 is like spending the day at a go kart track only on the water. I always came home grinning. Id own another in a heartbeat. Your only real way of telling is to get into both of them on the water and see which fits YOU best. Good luck on your decision.
I have an 09 Sabre FTD with a 175 ProXS that I bought new. Love it and have never had a problem. Fish team events all time with little problem but of course both guys have to be experience when fishing from the front. Most time it is front and back fishing. I fish a lot by myself now that all three boys are grown and have their own boats; this boat is easy for me to load and work around alone. Fit in the garage like a glove. Last edited by BamaCat on October 20th, 2014, 2:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I have been in both boats. A friend of mine owns a 118C and Ive spent plenty of time on the back deck. I also own a Sabre. The Sabre is lighter, faster, and does extremely well in rough water. My one day in really rough water with the 118C – we stayed wet. The Sabre doesnt get me wet. That day will go down in memory as it was 43 degrees. Wet and cold on a 15 mile run isnt fun. As far as boat rocking when two are fishing, both are stable platforms. Its not as stable and solid as a 20 boat – but its not at all offensive either. It has its own benefits as well. Like John said – its the most maneuverable boat Ive ever been in. Go Cart is a great description. When you talk about “rocking” – I take that to mean chine walking? If so, a Sabre will walk a little at the top of its speed potential unless you have it well set up or know how to drive it. Its very much a performance hull and weighs 300lbs less than the Ranger. At the 55-56mph tops that the Ranger will run, the Sabre is as smooth as can be with zero chine walk. Get the Sabre to the upper 60s that a 175 will take it, youll have to drive the boat. With a little seat time and learning to drive the boat – youll never realize youre having to correct. It will come second nature.
If I was looking between the Caracal and the SabreFTD I personally would find it very hard to walk away from the Caracal. It is what we have all been hoping and wishing for in a 19 boat. It comes as a premium boat package with the triangular live wells and no need for a 36 volt troller. Wide front deck, I love the rod storage layout on it, and the tool and net storage is near perfect, right at your feet yet not in the way.BrianBrianHAWG Hunter2013 BassCat Eyra2013 Mercury 250 Pro XS Gen2 L/U
just got a chance to look at the ftd Sabre in person. Found a used one to look at. I think I am still going to try swinging for the Caracal if I can get the $$ right because this is going to be last boat and with swing tongue will still fit in my garage. Plus the wider deck when crappie fishing would come in handy. Dealer said that he had one coming and they started on his last week so dont know how long from then to get the boat so I can eye it in person. Plus see if I like the color scheme he chose for the boat. Thanks guys!! As ugly as those new G2 Rudes are I still wouldnt mind getting that motor for the steering and some other good fitures for my wife which cannot run hot foot and hates it. that motor you can switch one to other with hit of a button so I can still have a hot foot. If I go that way Id have to find a different dealer for the ones in my state are only Merc and Yamaha. Guess ill wait first and see it hopefully real soon.
well come to find out I looked at a Sabre. Not Sabre ftd. I did watch video on Sabre ftd. Cant really tell how much it rocks at rest fishing or room on deck. I can tell it is much smaller than the Ranger 118c. I see someone posted they Ranger 118c which I have road in says the Sabre ftd will be dryer ride. I know it is faster boat due to size alone being 18 1 apposed to 18 8 and weight difference. Only thing is I am worried about is room on front deck and stability at rest. Also is live wells big enough on this rig? Looking back at the Ranger 361 it was 88 in beam and this is 93 beam. It was 17 10 this is 18 1. Not sure width to front deck difference on the 361 series to this rig but any insight please let me know. I am going to look at the Caracal when it arrives at dealer and after seeing it may spend for it??? I know I am really only going to be fishing smaller lakes most the time and the Navigational channel too. Yes I will fish the big lakes time to time but not often. So really thinking the Caracal may be a lot of money and boat for what most the use needed is for me. I loved my older 361 I had and liked my older ranger 188 which is same as 118c but I did not like it would only run mid 50s loaded and might hit 60 with luck with a 150. Plus I like the idea of a lighter easier to handle boat in the garage as I get older and go a lot just in the evening or mornings by myself on some of these small lakes. Speed really isnt factor when I think about it but like the fun of a good hole shot and when I do fish a tournament being able to run in mid 60s loaded. Does anyone have a similar situation and have you went to a sabre ftd and thought it was too small? I really like the storage length and that it is a premium model with all the good stuff on it. If anyone has one near NE Okla let me know id love to ride in it and drop the trolling motor. Like I said I will be looking at the Caracal still in next few weeks when it arrives but after thinking hard on it im leaning this way if the boat has enough room and stabile. I sold my rt 178 ranger that was good and was really going to go with the rt 188 and decided this is my last boat maybe I will get another glass. The rt series is real roomy.
The Sabre is plenty stable while fishing. Even with 2 grown men fishing.13 PIV w/ 200 MercIG: WarriorRiverCustomRods
Not sure of the difference between older and newer models but my 97 Sabre fishes 3 grown men comfortably. Two up front and one on the back deck. No issues with stability at all.
Thanks. As much as I like the caracal size and light rail I think with what everyone says that the saber ftd really would be my best choice for my use then. Would u order one with tandem axle trailer or single. I know its smaller boat and probably dont need a tandem for this size boat because never had one on the 361 I had years ago but would it make it nicer or not being a big boat not that big of difference. I do wish the sabre had the light bars and same top cap as the other ftd models but thats just a looks thing but its sharp. I know Ill order a ladder. Would a power pole work good on this boat? I really appreciate all the help. This should be my last boat so want to get it right.
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