Just seen this

[BGIII]

Originally Posted by BGIII

I think it is 28 #2. All red gel originally. Old style bottom and interior setup. Not a bad thing, just different.

Originally Posted by littledcsrodshop

When you say "old style bottom" I am curious what did they change on the bottom ? I would assume they spent a good amount of time tweaking the bottoms on the 28 & I have heard some models had a bit of rocker in the bottom & some didn't ect.. Just kind of curious..

The first models were a bit narrower if you measure transom width at the outside edges of the chines. I don't know what # boat it was when the change was made, but it was sometime after the first twin was completed (which was boat #3?). They widened the chine to give the boat more side to side stability and less lean in the corners. I'll post a picture of the 1989 twin and a picture of your 1996 twin, take a look at how the sides of the 89 come down from the strike line to the outer edge of the chines compared to the 96. The 89 narrows considerably and the 96 has a boxier look to it.

[BGIII]

Not the greatest pictures but I think you will be able to see the differences. In photo #1, take a look at how they had to cut the outside of the K-Plane to make it fit. Photo # 2 you can kind of see the narrowness of the chine and photo #3 is a 1994 and it is pretty easy to see the width of the chine is much greater than the early models.

[littledcsrodshop]

Originally Posted by BGIII

The first models were a bit narrower if you measure transom width at the outside edges of the chines. I don't know what # boat it was when the change was made, but it was sometime after the first twin was completed (which was boat #3?). They widened the chine to give the boat more side to side stability and less lean in the corners. I'll post a picture of the 1989 twin and a picture of your 1996 twin, take a look at how the sides of the 89 come down from the strike line to the outer edge of the chines compared to the 96. The 89 narrows considerably and the 96 has a boxier look to it.

Thanks for the info..

[littledcsrodshop]

Originally Posted by slpcamaross97

how is a saber different from a pantera?

Thats a pretty broad question but I will give it a shot..
Not exactly sure if you are talking about comparing the two boats , but I would assume thats what you mean ??

Both boats are extremely well built & great rough water boats.
I have owned both & I would honestly say that if you were chooshing between the 2 that you couldn't go wrong with either choice.. That being said both are (or were) low volume custom built boats.. Saber bieng a way lower volume company.. (which I don't say that as a bad thing, just fact)
If I'm not mistaken Pantera has built somewhere around 300 or so 28's whith the first one somewhere around late 70's...
Both boats are hand built with alot of love & I can gaurantee you took longer to build than your average production boat...
Saber has built only 22 of the 28's... starting 21 years ago in 87
The 28 Pantera derived from another hull (as did most all modern v's)
The 28 Saber I'm told is an original hull..
The Saber is a couple hundred pounds lighter than the Pantera & a bit more solid feeling due to the fact that Saber uses Balsa coring throughout the hull.. Pantera uses it in most of the upper deck..
The bottom running surface on the Pantera is sharper in areas than the Saber (such as the strakes & the bottom of the v)
Both boats are True 28's meaning you actually get a 28' boat
& not a 25-26'.. with an integrated platform ect...
Both boats are big 28's..
The Pantera seems to have a bit more cockpit space than the Saber , However my Saber cockpit is a bit smaller (lengthwise) than most due to the larger engine compartment.... But either way the pantera cockpit is a couple
inches wider b/c of the way the flat gunnels are on the Saber..
The Saber seems to have just a bit more headroom than the Pantera in the cabin...
Both cabins are vertually identical in size..
There are obviously some design differances in the two..
I really Love the classic style & design of both boats...
There are few design issues that really like about the Saber such as the flat gunnels on the side of the upper deck & I really like the dash layout (very similar to the 33 Powerplay)
I also really like the break in the sides of the hull (similar to the older cig.'s)
When I first took the trip up to look at my Saber I knew they were well built boats & I was 99% confident that the boat would be coming home with me the next trip up the following week... However within minutes of arriving to take a look at it my decision was made.. I was Very impressed to say the least.. The boat was rock solid & looked Great , the fit & finish , build quality ect..ect.. was Excellant & for a 28 footer it was second to none in my humble opion...

One good thing with either boat is you never really have to worry about pulling up to the boat ramp , or gas dock & seeing one just like it , or the same boat with a differant decal package.. However what you don't get is when people ask you what kind of boat it is , you don't get
"Ya my cousin has a (Saber) , or (Pantera)" & ifso they are probably full of it...lol... The usually just say they have one of them "cigar boats" just like it....

So like I said either boat would be a Great choice & although there are some other great 28's out there & I don't want to act like Saber & Pantera have the monopoly on well build boats... However I will say that you will Not find a better built 28 than either... It's really just up to your personal preferance & what you could find the best deal on for your personal wants , needs , budget , ect... So if you are looking for the fastest 28 in slick water , or the "wow" factor of owning a boat that all your buddies & every boat ramp groupie knows about., Or the latest styling & LED lighting package then neither of these are the boat for you...
That being said I don't subscribe to the belief that all popularity makes you cool !!

[Mr D]

Originally Posted by littledcsrodshop

Thats a pretty broad question but I will give it a shot..
Not exactly sure if you are talking about comparing the two boats , but I would assume thats what you mean ??

Both boats are extremely well built & great rough water boats.
I have owned both & I would honestly say that if you were chooshing between the 2 that you couldn't go wrong with either choice.. That being said both are (or were) low volume custom built boats.. Saber bieng a way lower volume company.. (which I don't say that as a bad thing, just fact)
If I'm not mistaken Pantera has built somewhere around 300 or so 28's whith the first one somewhere around late 70's...
Both boats are hand built with alot of love & I can gaurantee you took longer to build than your average production boat...
Saber has built only 22 of the 28's... starting 21 years ago in 87
The 28 Pantera derived from another hull (as did most all modern v's)
The 28 Saber I'm told is an original hull..
The Saber is a couple hundred pounds lighter than the Pantera & a bit more solid feeling due to the fact that Saber uses Balsa coring throughout the hull.. Pantera uses it in most of the upper deck..
The bottom running surface on the Pantera is sharper in areas than the Saber (such as the strakes & the bottom of the v)
Both boats are True 28's meaning you actually get a 28' boat
& not a 25-26'.. with an integrated platform ect...
Both boats are big 28's..
The Pantera seems to have a bit more cockpit space than the Saber , However my Saber cockpit is a bit smaller (lengthwise) than most due to the larger engine compartment.... But either way the pantera cockpit is a couple
inches wider b/c of the way the flat gunnels are on the Saber..
The Saber seems to have just a bit more headroom than the Pantera in the cabin...
Both cabins are vertually identical in size..
There are obviously some design differances in the two..
I really Love the classic style & design of both boats...
There are few design issues that really like about the Saber such as the flat gunnels on the side of the upper deck & I really like the dash layout (very similar to the 33 Powerplay)
I also really like the break in the sides of the hull (similar to the older cig.'s)
When I first took the trip up to look at my Saber I knew they were well built boats & I was 99% confident that the boat would be coming home with me the next trip up the following week... However within minutes of arriving to take a look at it my decision was made.. I was Very impressed to say the least.. The boat was rock solid & looked Great , the fit & finish , build quality ect..ect.. was Excellant & for a 28 footer it was second to none in my humble opion...

One good thing with either boat is you never really have to worry about pulling up to the boat ramp , or gas dock & seeing one just like it , or the same boat with a differant decal package.. However what you don't get is when people ask you what kind of boat it is , you don't get
"Ya my cousin has a (Saber) , or (Pantera)" & ifso they are probably full of it...lol... The usually just say they have one of them "cigar boats" just like it....

So like I said either boat would be a Great choice & although there are some other great 28's out there & I don't want to act like Saber & Pantera have the monopoly on well build boats... However I will say that you will Not find a better built 28 than either... It's really just up to your personal preferance & what you could find the best deal on for your personal wants , needs , budget , ect... So if you are looking for the fastest 28 in slick water , or the "wow" factor of owning a boat that all your buddies & every boat ramp groupie knows about., Or the latest styling & LED lighting package then neither of these are the boat for you...
That being said I don't subscribe to the belief that all popularity makes you cool !!

WOW!! Do you git paid by the werd? LOL

G - R - D -

[littledcsrodshop]

Originally Posted by Mr D

WOW!! Do you git paid by the werd? LOL

G - R - D -

Shure wood be nice, any idy whure to send the bill ?

[Stormrider]

Wow Scott! You are becoming quite the author!
Well said!
Fully agreed here too..."There are few design issues that really like about the Saber such as the flat gunnels on the side of the upper deck & I really like the dash layout (very similar to the 33 Powerplay)
I also really like the break in the sides of the hull (similar to the older cig.'s) "

[FunHome]

Very well said Scott!!

BTW, mine must be one of the wider ones because I don't have cut down trim tabs......

[Mr D]

Originally Posted by littledcsrodshop

Shure wood be nice, any idy whure to send the bill ?

Scott.......did you mean I-DEE-AHH, or I.D.AHH? LOL

[littledcsrodshop]

Thanks guys ! & I have to say a compliment like that from Rob (stormrider) is a real compliment b/c for those of you that don't know Rob he is noted as quite the "post whore" around the board... LOL....

Git-er-dun-D - You were real close but I actually ment
iDee - (has to be said real quick around my neck of the woods)
Simply defined as the product of doing some Thankin ,which is really close to thinking...lol..

I will add that Brad's boat (funhome) is a Great example of what these boats are capable of !! That boat had alot of success long before he purchased it & Has had its share since then including several wins & a World Championship in 06... Toto & his crew run that boat really hard !!

Brad , I hope to see you guys again in Chattanooga this year...
My youngest daugther is having some surgery done on friday moring the 10th so I'm not sure how much, or if I will be around... Hopefully everything goes as (or) better than expected & I can slip down there for a day... Not that the races is my main conceren but if I do get to make it down its b/c she is doing well...