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Originally Posted by Nykamp
(Post 4832552)
The yellow one was Jerry Mc Connell's first Saber, the ordered a 28 with 500;s next, then 2 different 41 Sabers.
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I could really use some help with motor choice, I feel like a lost puppy dog here so many choices and not any good way to know what I'm buying is what I think I'm buying short of buying new. I've narrowed down a few choices:
1) True blue 500HP with full rebuild, zero hours. work done by Thunderboats Bob out of Fort Myers. Price is scary cheap, $21K. Say's they were an exchange from a midwest boat customer and he maintains no heavy saltwater corrosion. He is throwing in some old gill exhaust and tails, no leaks, but not pretty. No warranty. mercury HP 500 engines - boat parts - by owner - marine sale (craigslist.org) 2) Use lower hour take outs, 6.2 383 Mags, Brians Marine out of Gulfport MS, price about $19K, comes with new stock manifolds. 3) Used low hour take outs 496 Mags or 496 Marine Powers motors, also from Brians Marine $24K, comes with new manifolds. 4) New Marine Power 454 LSX small block, 511 horsepower, $40K, 2 year warranty. They build these in Louisana so pretty close to me and I can get custom colors, but it's pretty costly upgrade. I like the Kodiak 454 LSX as well and it looks nicer, but nobody around here servicing those. These motors are about 250lbs each lighter so 500lbs off the stern. null (marineenginedepot.com) They also have a sweet 6.2 with 420hp with aluminum block that is even lighter, but think the cast iron block of LSX probably the better choice for marine use. 5) Used 502 Mags listed here on OSO classifieds, 470 hours, closed cooling, good compression, gill exhaust. $15K for the pair, but they look pretty rough. 6) New 6.2/377 350hp Mercruiser, Believe these are combined around 400-500lbs lighter than standard big block. With SeaCore they are $42K total, 4 year warranty. Rebuilt with no warranty and used takeouts scare the crap out of me in terms of risk involved. So what would you do, budget is $20-45K. Want something reliable and fast and would prefer some kind of assurance/warranty. The short rebuild time of mercury racing motors is not really appealing to me. |
i ran mine for a long time with the original 454 / 310 mpi motors. they were bulletproof , not a single problem other than the boat ran about 68 mph. you will not regret putting as much horsepower in there as you can. in rough water the power helps keep the boat running level and cutting the waves. the twin boats are obviously heavy in the rear and without the power the boat is likely to drop the stern down into the waves more. i cant believe how much better it takes the rough water now.
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Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater
(Post 4832719)
I could really use some help with motor choice, I feel like a lost puppy dog here so many choices and not any good way to know what I'm buying is what I think I'm buying short of buying new. I've narrowed down a few choices:
1) True blue 500HP with full rebuild, zero hours. work done by Thunderboats Bob out of Fort Myers. Price is scary cheap, $21K. Say's they were an exchange from a midwest boat customer and he maintains no heavy saltwater corrosion. He is throwing in some old gill exhaust and tails, no leaks, but not pretty. No warranty. mercury HP 500 engines - boat parts - by owner - marine sale (craigslist.org) 2) Use lower hour take outs, 6.2 383 Mags, Brians Marine out of Gulfport MS, price about $19K, comes with new stock manifolds. 3) Used low hour take outs 496 Mags or 496 Marine Powers motors, also from Brians Marine $24K, comes with new manifolds. 4) New Marine Power 454 LSX small block, 511 horsepower, $40K, 2 year warranty. They build these in Louisana so pretty close to me and I can get custom colors, but it's pretty costly upgrade. I like the Kodiak 454 LSX as well and it looks nicer, but nobody around here servicing those. These motors are about 250lbs each lighter so 500lbs off the stern. null (marineenginedepot.com) They also have a sweet 6.2 with 420hp with aluminum block that is even lighter, but think the cast iron block of LSX probably the better choice for marine use. 5) Used 502 Mags listed here on OSO classifieds, 470 hours, closed cooling, good compression, gill exhaust. $15K for the pair, but they look pretty rough. 6) New 6.2/377 350hp Mercruiser, Believe these are combined around 400-500lbs lighter than standard big block. With SeaCore they are $42K total, 4 year warranty. Rebuilt with no warranty and used takeouts scare the crap out of me in terms of risk involved. So what would you do, budget is $20-45K. Want something reliable and fast and would prefer some kind of assurance/warranty. The short rebuild time of mercury racing motors is not really appealing to me. the 28 Saber was sold new in the 90's with twin 500's and they guaranteed 85mph for $85000. those were called the cyclone edition. |
Thanks a lot. I think I will try to stick with that 500hp goal even if I don't get those. I'll cross off the LSX as well, their local dealer told me to go with big blocks.
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Originally Posted by FunHome
(Post 4832405)
Cool Project!! I always liked that Yellow one you posted as well!!
Nice to see Sabers getting some love!! You guys have rigged them with some amazing hardware!! You guys ought to bring all of them to the Shootout at the Lake of the Ozarks in August!! |
I know you purchased a boat, but I just listed the orange and white twin O/B 28 on scream and fly.
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Thanks for the heads up. That is a sweet boat and probably would of bought it had I not bought sooner. Somehow I knew after I bought this boat I'd see at least one maybe more pop up for sale.
Also, please clear out your inbox, can't send PM's. |
My bad! Cleared out!
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PM Sent
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Well that was short lived. Other deal fell through and realized I was making a mistake. Sorry for the false hope!
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Did you get any offers for the short time of soft listing? Trying to gauge the interest in these boats.
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Originally Posted by mackey147
(Post 4835646)
Well that was short lived. Other deal fell through and realized I was making a mistake. Sorry for the false hope!
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Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater
(Post 4835711)
Did you get any offers for the short time of soft listing? Trying to gauge the interest in these boats.
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Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater
(Post 4834870)
Not this year, but I will try to make next year. That would be a first for me, LOTO and shootout, always been on the bucket list though. Where is "the" place to stay with docks and pool and party, etc. and how far ahead should I book? Any other Sabers on the lake? I'd love to do one of those Saber rally's if they ever have one again. Michigan during late summer on my bucket list as well.
No other Sabers at LOTO that I know of unless someone brings one in town for the Weekend. Feel free to reach out to me if you do decide to come to the Shootout and I'll help any way I can!! |
Thanks for the LOTO tips.
Saw a sweet little 24 Saber for sale on Facebook in New Jersey for $13K today. Looks like it's in great shape, single engine too. Don't see many of those. I'd of bought it if I didn't have mine already. I've secured a zero hour rebuilt pair of Merc 500HP's, now 509/540hp, just waiting for dyno and then delivery hopefully. Finally got some rain and cooler temps here in TX so will start work here shortly after my busy tax season dies down at work. First step is to get rid of old speedo hardware dragging on transom, fill in the holes, and give the transom a buff job before I start putting it back together. Sourced a local painter that works with imron so can get the tabs re-painted before they go on. I was going to get stainless marine exhaust manifolds with high risers for the 500HPs. Anybody running those? If so, what length tails did you get? 4 1/2in? Or 5in? I've never had to buy or measure exhaust pipes. |
Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater
(Post 4842506)
Thanks for the LOTO tips.
Saw a sweet little 24 Saber for sale on Facebook in New Jersey for $13K today. Looks like it's in great shape, single engine too. Don't see many of those. I'd of bought it if I didn't have mine already. I've secured a zero hour rebuilt pair of Merc 500HP's, now 509/540hp, just waiting for dyno and then delivery hopefully. Finally got some rain and cooler temps here in TX so will start work here shortly after my busy tax season dies down at work. First step is to get rid of old speedo hardware dragging on transom, fill in the holes, and give the transom a buff job before I start putting it back together. Sourced a local painter that works with imron so can get the tabs re-painted before they go on. I was going to get stainless marine exhaust manifolds with high risers for the 500HPs. Anybody running those? If so, what length tails did you get? 4 1/2in? Or 5in? I've never had to buy or measure exhaust pipes. |
Thanks for the tip on exhaust. Anybody in Lake Havasu, AZ area willing to look at some exhaust manifolds for me and do a pressure check?
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If anyone is looking, I finally ended up finding a new boat and have decided to let my Saber go. 1990 28 with twin outboards.
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After a brief hiatus I am back full boar on the project. My father passed away in October after a short battle with Leukemia, all very unexpected. Was less than two months from diagnosis to passing. I worked with him for 15 years, we were very close.
Couldn't complete transaction on fresh 500HPs. Was lucky to find a good buyer selling a pair of low hour 2000'ish 502 Mag EFI's for a great price and finally got them this week. I am looking for some aftermarket exhaust manifolds if anyone knows of some available but can use stock ones until then. I figured I'll try out the 502 Mags and if I need more speed then I've got a good platform. Thank you to my friend Matt (TXHawk) for helping with shipping, he is an incredibly gifted boatsman and craftsman and offered to help again... as if my 28 Apache project about 15 years ago didn't take enough of his time. I ordered a new swim platform from West Coast Offshore Unlimited (Aluminum Metal Products) and expect completion by February. I went with a high gloss grey to match existing grey stripes on the boat and got the newer modern version with slanted corners and moon patterns you see on most newer cigarettes. I've also found a mobile mechanic to move the project along faster. I've coated the exposed wood in transom assembly cutouts and large thru bolt holes with resin to help preserve the transom. Removed the speedo and filled in holes since I wasn't going to use anyway and didn't want to have to clean around the wires if I didn't have too, looks a little cleaner too. Need to add some gelcoat to holes I've filled, buff the transom, and should be ready for transom assemblies by next week. I found a local custom painter that does imron and dropped off the outdrives and K-planes to strip and add a fresh coat of imron, which should be done by next week. Gears looked pretty good on the drives so figured I'd run them as is. Got lucky on transom assemblies, owner put in new HP gimbal rings that have yet to see water. Going to replace cables, fuel and hydraulic hoses. My boy is 8 and really getting into it all, always wants to help. Thinking I'd like to get trimsync for drives and tabs because I think it makes it easier and safer to drive. Anybody have experience with trimsync? |
my condolences to you and your family. my situation was similar, its never easy.
its winter up here, we are bored, post pics of your progress! |
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How do you post videos?
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Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater
(Post 4855902)
After a brief hiatus I am back full boar on the project. My father passed away in October after a short battle with Leukemia, all very unexpected. Was less than two months from diagnosis to passing. I worked with him for 15 years, we were very close.
Couldn't complete transaction on fresh 500HPs. Was lucky to find a good buyer selling a pair of low hour 2000'ish 502 Mag EFI's for a great price and finally got them this week. I am looking for some aftermarket exhaust manifolds if anyone knows of some available but can use stock ones until then. I figured I'll try out the 502 Mags and if I need more speed then I've got a good platform. Thank you to my friend Matt (TXHawk) for helping with shipping, he is an incredibly gifted boatsman and craftsman and offered to help again... as if my 28 Apache project about 15 years ago didn't take enough of his time. I ordered a new swim platform from West Coast Offshore Unlimited (Aluminum Metal Products) and expect completion by February. I went with a high gloss grey to match existing grey stripes on the boat and got the newer modern version with slanted corners and moon patterns you see on most newer cigarettes. I've also found a mobile mechanic to move the project along faster. I've coated the exposed wood in transom assembly cutouts and large thru bolt holes with resin to help preserve the transom. Removed the speedo and filled in holes since I wasn't going to use anyway and didn't want to have to clean around the wires if I didn't have too, looks a little cleaner too. Need to add some gelcoat to holes I've filled, buff the transom, and should be ready for transom assemblies by next week. I found a local custom painter that does imron and dropped off the outdrives and K-planes to strip and add a fresh coat of imron, which should be done by next week. Gears looked pretty good on the drives so figured I'd run them as is. Got lucky on transom assemblies, owner put in new HP gimbal rings that have yet to see water. Going to replace cables, fuel and hydraulic hoses. My boy is 8 and really getting into it all, always wants to help. Thinking I'd like to get trimsync for drives and tabs because I think it makes it easier and safer to drive. Anybody have experience with trimsync? |
Originally Posted by offshoredrillin
(Post 4855999)
Sorry to hear about your dad Andy, my condolences. I have drive sync on my tiger and its amazing, no fussing with our ocd to make sure the dots are lined up and Mike is great to deal with. Mine were done through mitch at MD offshore performance. I had trim sync on my 20, you can have presets on both of them that with the touch of a button the trims or drives will go to the presetting. on my 20 i had all down, neutral and full up, i would touch the button, full full down for planing, then hit it to go to neutral when it popped up. pm me if you want to delve into it deeper,also if your worried about porpoising and you have rocker you can spin props in and it will give you bow lift.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...32b6c3896.jpeg |
Pics of access to port and starboard tanks in cabin
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d1147ecdb.jpeg
Starboard tank access https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...567eb45cb.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...25596decb.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8bf891b59.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e3bba0608.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...35f76cb86.jpeg Port side tank access https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5b2c9ac23.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b84a9c360.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c769d132f.jpeg |
From the pics it seems these are 45 gallon tanks, not quit the 75 gallons that I was told. At least it won’t be as much weight.
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Paint came out pretty good, hope it holds up
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...950638cea.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...65acc4705.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b391df447.jpeg |
Looks nice,what kind of paint did you use?
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Midnight black dupont imron with a shot of clear coat. Work done by Nath Specialty Coatings which is local to me. Wasn't cheap though..... cost me $1,400 and forgot to do the trim cylinders but included k-planes and rams, stripping of paint, and filling in the pitting of which there was a decent amount.
Found a deal on some new HP transom assemblies might pick up if I can get $2,500 each for mine. They are in good shape with new never used HP gimbal rings. Trim cylinders need touchup or paint. Pictures in the swap shop. |
Wanted to share some pics of the area around bilge thru hulls and how transom wood stops about six inches short of corner. The eyelets and area around bilge pump thru hull fittings are solid glass. I'm very impressed at the build quality and this one is like a time capsule, original bilge paint I believe. I'm not doing anything to the bilge really except replacing bilge pumps and plastic thru hulls, fire extenguisher, etc just basic maintenance really. The bilge paint is still in pretty good shape hard to believe someone put 800+ hours on it, think, maybe they were running clock listening to radio in the shop or something.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d6161c9f7.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8bfce730b.jpeg |
As much as I enjoy working on the boat past few months, I decided to hand the project over to the great guy's at Langston Marine out of Lake Texoma area. Was very fortunate that Daniel offered to help with the project and am confident the boat will be in good hands with him and his partner Chad. Daniel was born with racing fuel in his blood as a second generation marine mechanic, engine builder, and offshore boat racer. It is a special boat and wanted it to have the best, plus the fact that it takes me 4-5 times as long to do a poor job became clear would cost much less, take much less time, and have a much better result to have someone else do the work.
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Update
Been slow go, but they finally got moving last few weeks after about two months of brutal heat. Got my swim platform and although very nice it came in at 86in wide, even though I told them transom beam was 78 in. Hopefully they will make it right cause it is not going on as is. Decided to buy new HP transom assemblies.
Now that can see how the swim platform looks in grey think I would like white better. What do you all think? Not a fan of current paint scheme was thinking of changing same graphics to blue and black lines or maybe just change the pink to blue in which case may go with a blue swim platform. Hard to go wrong with white tho in this Tx heat. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ee7943fd5.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...926fd4c57.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...365e600e7.jpeg |
Progress
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I like those classic hockey stick slash stripes
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I like the graphics too, but was just thinking of changing out the pink sticks for blue and keeping the grey just because black is too hot.
They are going to fix my swim platform. NEED OSO HELP. If you got to do over again would you keep swim platform grey or what color would you pick knowing the planned color scheme? Grey wasn't bad at all. I think it does a good job of not detracting from the lines of the boat by not adding to the lines. I am leaning towards changing to white. All comments appreciated. |
Who did your swim platform it looks great?it just needs to fit right. I would go with white.
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West Coast Offshore Unlimited did the swim platform. Takes about 5 months from order to build. Think I paid around $4,600 shipped with the ladder and all.
Offshore Boat Swim Platforms (westcoastoffshoreunlimited.com) |
Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater
(Post 4880912)
I like the graphics too, but was just thinking of changing out the pink sticks for blue and keeping the grey just because black is too hot.
They are going to fix my swim platform. NEED OSO HELP. If you got to do over again would you keep swim platform grey or what color would you pick knowing the planned color scheme? Grey wasn't bad at all. I think it does a good job of not detracting from the lines of the boat by not adding to the lines. I am leaning towards changing to white. All comments appreciated. I am terrible at PhotoShop but I did this in a couple of minutes so it looks like a kindergartner did it, but you get an idea. If you had a better Side view of the boat it would be easier. Plus there has to be someone on here that is a wiz on PhotoShop that could do a better mock up for you!! https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8e66aaac60.jpg |
Thanks, that's pretty good!
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