sabre – Motor height

This topic has 7 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 3 months ago by Wheelman.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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February 11, 2023 at 10:52 pm #709220

Mikebassman1010
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Guys, I bought a 2020 Sabre FTD with the 150 Merc Pro XS 4- stroke. 8 inch manual slidemaster jackplate. Guy had engine 1/2 inch higher than flush. When running WOT and trimmed to the max, I’m getting a rooster tail that is higher than the motor at 60.2 mph on the GPS on my Helix 7 When i trim it down a little to lower the tail, I’m losing 2 to 3 mph and the boat still runs flat. I had a Nitro NX750 with the 135hp Mercury Optimax mounted flush, and it lifted the nose nicely with no rooster tail. I’m running a 3-blade tempest prop, which is the same prop i ran on the Nitro that I sold. Should I just lower the motor back to where the jackplate is even?

February 11, 2023 at 10:54 pm #709221

Mikebassman1010
Participant

Prop is 25 pitch.

February 12, 2023 at 3:59 pm #709228

Rich12
Participant

RPM? Speed seems good for a 150. How much over the cowling is the tail?

You can always move it around. Does not hurt a thing to experiment.

February 13, 2023 at 9:36 am #709232

CB_SabreFTD18
Participant

I have a 2 stroke 175 on my Sabre. I run a 25 Tempest as my speed prop. I like it at flush on the plate or 1/8” below flush. Runs the chop nicely and handles well. On my boat, that’s 3 1/2- 3 5/8 prop to pad. Rooster tail is a tad under top of cowling aired out at max trim. Imo, if you fish big lakes that get gnarly when the wind blows, flush (3 1/2 PTP) is the highest I’d run it. Lower the better for the rough water ride.

February 13, 2023 at 3:58 pm #709239

Wheelman
Participant

What 25 pitch prop are you running? 60mph at 6000rpm is around 12% slip, I’d say try lowering the motor to flush and see if that helps with using less trim which should lessen slip. It should create more lift with more prop in the water and hopefully help you get more speed as long as boat isn’t heavily loaded up front. You shouldn’t have any issues with water psi since the ProXS 150 4-stroke has low water pickups, hope that helps and report back.

February 21, 2023 at 9:11 pm #709433

Mikebassman1010
Participant

I lowered it even and was running up river against a good current at 58.8mph. Coming down river with the current 63.4mph. It still does not lift the boat much. In the compartment closest to the bow, is rain gear and life jackets. next compartment has all 16 of my 3700 planos full of tackle. I’m running 3 lithiums for my Ultrex, so it’s not heavy in the transom either. I’m going to play with the height some more when the river flow slows or i visit a lake which has little or no flow. Rooster tail is close to cowling height, but should I be getting a rooster tail at all???

February 21, 2023 at 9:14 pm #709434

Mikebassman1010
Participant

My RPM is 6000-6100 at WOT. I looked back at a text I sent my friend when I came off the river that day of messing with the engine height. I was doing 59.8 against the strong current and 63.9 with the current, but will do more testing when there is no current. My local lake has been drawn way down to a dangerous level so will probably go there once they allow it to refill, hopefully soon!

February 22, 2023 at 11:28 am #709443
Wheelman
Participant
Mikebassman1010:
My RPM is 6000-6100 at WOT. I looked back at a text I sent my friend when I came off the river that day of messing with the engine height. I was doing 59.8 against the strong current and 63.9 with the current, but will do more testing when there is no current. My local lake has been drawn way down to a dangerous level so will probably go there once they allow it to refill, hopefully soon!

This reply was modified 10 hours, 38 minutes ago by Mikebassman1010. Reason: had to correct my numbers
64mph at 6100rpm is 7% slip and where you want to be, sounds like you may be running into the limiter and possibly could go faster with a taller pitch prop.
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