Boat is a 2017 Sabre with a 175 Proxs 2 stroke. I know the Fury3 is the preferred prop and that is what I normally run. However, I picked up a 25P Trophy plus as a spare. Anyone have a good starting place for PVS plugs and exhaust ring? I have the ring and all sizes of PVS plugs. I know I will have to fine tune everything but looking for a good starting point.
USN Retired
2020 Basscat Caracal
2020 Mercury 225 ProXS 4s
My 175 optimax with a 24 trophy plus and exhaust ring runs 2 large plugs and 2 with no plugs
Well, I finally got the Trophy out on the lake for some run time. I started without the exhaust ring and all solid PVS plugs. There is no bog, it jumps up on plane as fast as the 25 Fury but with a little higher nose attitude. I did not bother to change any PVS plugs since the hole shot was perfect. I was able to get it up to 67.9 at 5800 RPM. It runs a little better with this prop IMO. More of the boat is lifted, it rides softer and doesn’t start chine walking until about 66. I might run this prop as a primary, at least in the colder months.
Last edited by 06 SB; 03-22-2020 at 09:58 AM.
USN Retired
2020 Basscat Caracal
2020 Mercury 225 ProXS 4s
We actually like a Trophy on some of the Sabre FTD combos, and we haven’t tried a new Fury Four.
66-67 sounds about right for the Sabre. Had a 90's Eyra that ran 66 with a 24 trophy.
2012 Ranger Z519 Comanche - Merc. 225 Pro XS - 24 Razor 4 XL/25 Tempest Plus
I am getting 69 and change with a 25 Fury 3 but RPM was 5600 or so. I think a 24 Fury would be better for this rig and possibly bust 70. I normally just run low to mid 60s and enjoy the easy driving and the view.
USN Retired
2020 Basscat Caracal
2020 Mercury 225 ProXS 4s
How does a Sabre FTD (2007 Marty Stone Edition) with a 150 OptiMax/6” SM jackplate affect prop recommendations? Came with a 21” Tempest Plus when I bought the boat. Have seen 61-63 consistently, but can only max out at about 5400 RPMs. Would a Trophy be an option for this combo?Originally Posted by Bass Cat Boats
BassCat Sabre FTD
Mercury 150 Optimax
"It's just fishing"
06 SB, I’ve got the same setup in a 2018 year model. Fortrexx 80 with 3 Group 27’s in the back. I have seen 70.0
with a 24 Fury bouncing around 5900 rpms with 1/2 fuel. I fish rough water lakes though. 3 3/4 PTP with the Fury is doable in the choppy stuff...that’s 1/4” below flush on mine. It’s 69.2-.4 @ 5850 ish Smartcraft at this PTP. My favorite prop is a 25 Tempest. It’s got an incredibly soft ride at 1/8 below flush or 3 5/8 PTP. Best I’ve seen is 69.0 with 3/4 fuel @ 5910 rpms. Easy money to drive at WOT. It will haul the mail in the choppy stuff with a silky smooth ride. Full gas tank and a 230 lb partner, it’s low 67’s with a 3 second hole shot. 2 medium plugs and 1 hole open.
It is interesting that so many different propellers run well on a Sabre FTD. I have tried all kinds on the Pantera II and a Cougar FTD. The Fury was by far the best of the bunch with the Bravo and Fury 4 a distant second. I guess that means the Sabre is an easy running, well designed hull.
USN Retired
2020 Basscat Caracal
2020 Mercury 225 ProXS 4s
When I had my 07 Sabre the best prop for me was a 25 Trophy, so yes I am not surprised by what you are finding.
The 2011 Sabre FTD I owned had the 175 Merc with a 25 Trophy Plus. Same set up.
It was a dual console, but would see 68.4. Ran very well in all areas. Hole shot, handling, and top end. Excellent prop for that combo.
2016 BassCat Pantera II
Mercury 200 ProXs
What about the Margay with 150 Opti?
I had an 04 Sabre/Merc 150 EFI that I ran a 24 Trophy on (I forget what I had plugged) and could get 66 at around 5800 my limiter was 6K. Yours coming with a 21 Tempest surprises me, a 23 Tempest is pretty much the "standard" for that boat/motor combo. I'd also think you'd be seeing more RPM's with a 21.
You guys are killing me.
Been happy with a 25 Fury three blade. I need to buy a backup prop, and now will probably have to test a bunch of 4-blades as well.
Aaron Campbell
Barling, AR
2007 Bass Cat Sabre
2011 Merc 175 Pro XS
I really figured the 175's would be faster. I was doing 68-70 in my Sabre with a 150 XR-6 and 25 Tempest. That little boat was a bullet. I tried several props and the Tempest was my best running prop. When it got real hot the 24 Fury would be my go to prop. The Trophy on mine was great in big water or running up a river channel that was twisting and tight. I actually run a 23 Trophy when I would put it on......killer hole shot and acceleration.
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Last edited by Elwood; 05-05-2020 at 05:19 PM.
Elwood....Bass Cat Strong
2020 Bass Cat Eyra
2020 Mercury 300R 4S (1E081080)
Hell Yeah!!!!!!!!
I seen 69 mph once. But would always get in the 68+ mph. I'm sure it would see 70+ with a Fury, but liked the way the Trophy handled.
I do know the base Sabre is slightly faster than the FTD.
Don
2016 BassCat Pantera II
Mercury 200 ProXs
My boat started out with a 150 EFI. Ran 65-66 solo. 175 runs 69+ solo. The biggest difference I noticed between the 150 and 175 is the 175 carries a load much better. Add a partner with the 150, and speeds drop to low 60’s. Add another person, and 55ish. I’ve ran 67+ with three people and the 175.
I have no doubt I could wring another few MPH out of my 175 if I took the time to balance my gear and play with some props. I like to fish too much, though..
Aaron Campbell
Barling, AR
2007 Bass Cat Sabre
2011 Merc 175 Pro XS
Elwood - wasn't yours a rear tank Sabre? The rear tank hulls were faster than the mid-tank hulls simply due to weight placement. The mid-tank does have a "softer" ride and less nose jump on holeshot - it's a trade off. Essentially the same as a mid tank vs rear tank Caracal.
The earlier XR-6 didn't have the compression relieving slots in the cylinders and had a "fatter" fuel & spark curve. It was a stronger motor than the later 150EFI and Opti's. Motors after '06 just weren't as stout due to the EPA CARB regs..... Motors after '06 got the better brain box, higher pressure fuel & oil pumps, and run much closer to stoichiometric ideal mixtures. You get better fuel efficiency - but down slightly on power.
I had a 2004 with mid tanks but my motor was very strong and with full wells and another person could still see 65. I was going to work the motor but my wrench told me that with the way it was running and the compression I had on the motor I would not get much more. I was very lucky for the one I got. It was just as strong when I let it go as the day I got it....10 years later. That little girl hurt a lot of 200 hp feelings lol
Elwood....Bass Cat Strong
2020 Bass Cat Eyra
2020 Mercury 300R 4S (1E081080)
Hell Yeah!!!!!!!!
Sounds a lot like mine. ‘08 Sabre, always light load’ 150 EFI. Had a 200 tuner installed to bend the torque curve up. Fiber reeds and Brucato tuned injectors installed last year. Old girl still has original compression. Last summer, 95+ temps, 24 Fury - was running 65 with a partner. Depending on load, she’s a consistent 65-67 with a 24 Tempest and carries a tourney load better.
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