28 Saber Wanted
 

Looking for a 28 Saber, single engine or outboards preferred, but would be open to twin inboards as well. Any condition.

What is your budget? I guess everything is potentially for sale. I have Purple Haze, Everything mechanical is about 25 to 30 hours, Tyler Crockett built and modified Hawk 525SC's, Imco SC Drives with -2" shorties. Even just bought a new aluminum trailer. Boat runs a solid 95 all day and playing with props now, not sure after but shooting for the Century mark. New trailer not shown. A lot invested but turn key!
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my buddy use to own that boat up here in Mi. In that 28 ft range nothing is better than a saber in my opinion, single or twins but I’d rather have twins. Other buddy has an old school 24 that is sweet as well.

Oh wow, killer boat, thanks for posting. I'm really looking for more of a 65-75mph boat as I've got a young family and wife not really into crazy speeds. Hood scoops not ideal either because we spend most of our time on the back of the boat and in the water trying to beat the hot TX sun. Still, for purple haze could probably do some where around $45K considering the upgrades. I'd be interested in buying less engines and drives as well.

When you bought your new trailer did you get torsion axles? Is the boat height on trailer less than 6ft 10in necessary to clear standard height garage? Looks like you are using a standard height garage.

Tex where did your 28 Apache end up going?

It went to LOTO for bout 8-10 years and believe it's back in the Chesepeake Bay now were I got it. There are two nice 28 Apaches for sale looked to be thoroughly restored for about what I'd pay for Purple Haze, but I'm done with that model. It's a great model with really good ingress/degress the way the dash is can kind of sit up there and can quickly get to the bow without doing any acrobatics and it did great in rough water and I loved how big the cabin was, but it was heavy and I just got so tired of working in the bilge, swore I'd never do that again. I didn't have much money back then either and that boat sucked me dry.

I've been boating with 18ft outboard bay boat I still have plus my family has a fleet of boats........think my annual cost of ownership is less than $500 including gas. But now I've got money and an itch to go fast again. Hoping the Saber is a little easier to work on the way the back on back seat lifts up with the hatch, although the hatch on Purple Haze isn't designed that way. I'm looking for a 28 something cut down more with flat deck so it will fit thru my standard height 7ft garage and that list is pretty small. Wish I could find that old all white Saber. I almost bought it twice, both times had finally decided to buy and owner sold it that week after sitting for sale for months. Had I of bought that boat I'd still have it for sure and would probably be a little fatter in the wallet.

Anyone know what happened to the newer outboard 28 Saber that was for sale since it was built new? Looks like the listings were all removed recently.

I did get the new one with torsion axles. My old one is shown in this pic. I believe it will clear 6'8" but I have 8' doors at my new home so that was not a concern.
I would still have to find something else and have near that in motors and definitely significantly more wiith drives. Just thought I would throw it out there and test the waters. My total investment not counting labor much of it mine is north of $100K still considerably cheaper than new and not much out there in that arena of speed for less.
I'm sure you'll find something out there, in reality a single would probably put you about where you want to be speed wise. Probably a lot of panic selling with gas. I didn't build this because I was concerned about that. Lol. Best of luck and thank you!

I know exactly what you mean. Thanks for the opportunity. Please keep me in mind if you find a good engine swap candidate or something else.

Will do best of luck on your search!

Tex
I know where one is sitting in a warehouse right now, might be close to what you looking for...
Offshore will not allow me send you a private message or post a photo.
How can I contact you?

you need 10 posts to pm someone or post pictures

Yeah I guess some contact info would be helpfull. Cell is 817-437-2516, text for email. Can send private message as well.

meangene got me fixed up and after a 2,000 mile round trip from Fort Worth to Tucson Arizona I am the new proud owner of hull #3, less power, the first 28 saber built with twin big blocks. Will post some pics when I get a chance and start a new project thread once I get going.

Nice…congrats. You thinking about converting to outboards? Single? Or putting twins back?

I'm going to put twins back in, but not sure what. Most likely whatever takeout I can find with low hours. Kind of leaning towards some 6.2's 350hp, but they are priced as much as big blocks and I've got enough to go with some 500hps but not sure it's worth the extra $10K.

I had never seen one of these boats up close, but it met or exceeded all my expectations. Really fine craftsmanship on all the parts used and glass laid. Love the lines and the flat deck is about as smooth and perfect as can be. Not sure if my old 28 Apache was just rode hard and put up wet, but this Saber is one year older and has nearly three times the hours on the meter as my old boat had and it is a better built boat, no question, but still need to see how she flies. These boat's are every bit as collectible as any other prized sport boat.

This boat has been sitting inside a warehouse in California under cover for 15 years. Story I got was the owner bought it in California with motor problems. Shortly thereafter another good running yellow 28 came for sale and the owner bought that one as well and ran it with original 454 310hps up until he sold it 2 years ago to a guy local in California who put in 509's and is now running around 100mph. The whole time the owner had collected parts to make this one his 100mph saber because it was in better shape and felt it was built a little tougher as it was the first 28 with twin big blocks made.
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Old pic
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Previous owners other 28 saber
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Pic from seller
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Pic from seller
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Pic on way home
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Previous owners other 28 saber

Looks very clean. Mine was built very well (hull #2). In fact it was probably the only boat I’ve had that was built in the 80’s and was still dry. Entire boat was balsa cored also. I’m curious as to where your gas tank is located? Belly tank below cockpit floor or vertical tank behind back seat?

Got PINK!!
 

There are two 74 gallon gas tanks just in front of the main cabin bulkhead on each side and they sit on top of the stringers so you can literally see them taking up space inside the cabin and the cabin seats are shorter than later models. There is also an extra bulkhead in front of the tanks with the tanks sandwiched in between so they are short and tall. I think they thought the original twin big blocks were going to be a bit too heavy and decided to put tanks farther forward, but had read at least one other original owner had an original setup like this and requested they be moved to the back because it was too nose heavy........ya think? I may need to get some big blocks just to add weight to the rear, but won't be surprised if they will need to be moved to the back and I knew that before I bought the boat. Fortunately the old one's should be easy to remove. There is a big ski locker in the cockpit floor with a big stringer that runs from engine bulkhead to cabin, which I'm sure adds quite a bit of strength to the keel as well.
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I alway's fall for the worst colors :picard1: It's just not something I care about when I shop for a used boat. I am thinking might just change the grey to black and the pink to blue. Sure would like to have that extra cabin space where tanks are located and the helm desperately needs a foot well. When I sit down my knees are right up against the wall, but at least it's a padded wall.

The owner said he talked with Doug about this boat and he said first time out in rough water they went right thru a wave........ must of had a full tank...... :eekdrop: Was thinking of just adding an extra tank in back and then keeping the two up front not that I need it to run drugs or anything, but I do have the bimin islands trip on my bucket list and I understand getting gas can be an issue. Could probably run there and back no problem with that setup.

I would probably run it how it is and see for yourself. If your not happy with the attitude drain the tanks and drop a fuel bladder in the ski locker. See if you like that better??? Then decide if you want to pull side tanks and permanently mount a belly tank. Or just run the bladder. A lot of space in the cuddy for a 28’ though. Good all around boat, your gonna like it.

i wondered where that boat went! that was Curt Gano's (spelling?) boat i always begged him to sell to me.

fun fact... that is a narrower bottomed boat than the later ones like mine. i think Doug said they felt with twins it leaned a little too much in hard turns.

i vote for keeping the original colors, it looks like a classic!

Well that is fascinating. I had talked at length with RBeyer (purple haze) and he had told me there are two molds to the 28 Saber. It's not mentioned on the website and both the cyclone and offshore are listed at same beam. So I guess the 28 Offshore is the narrower beam than the 28 Cyclone? Are there other differences in the hulls?

I don’t believe the Offshore and Cyclone are different molds. I think what you are referring to is that they changed the bottom design after the first few boats. I don’t remember exactly but I think after the 3rd or 4th one. The original bottom (I may be wrong been a while) was more of a V and the later ones added some chines to add roll stability. The original bottom is said to ride a touch better but the newer one is more stable and handles better. Found out in an interesting experience when I drove hull 1 that a friend owned that they do not behave the same.

Hull #2 had narrow chines, rounded keel and a bit of rocker. That combined with the gas tank mounted vertically behind the back seat. Would tend to porpoise in calm water unless tabs were dragging. Rough water it was a beast. Measure how wide your chines are compared to the newer ones. Also put a straight edge on the last 4 foot of the chines to see rocker.

this is correct. i dont think the original mold exists anymore.

I can't see much of a difference in the transom with a side by side comparison of purple haze. Will check for rocker tonight. If it did have rocker would that change your engine choice? Had some good news yesterday and can pretty much blow the budget wide open so thinking I'm going to look for a pair of 500-600hp motors, but if the rocker will make for a speed wall limitation like some other boats that can't be overcome I'd just assume put in some stock mercury black 415-450hps.
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No worries about speed wall with the rocker. These hulls run very high once you get above 50 or so. The main concern is running props that keep the bow up and carry it at speed. They are all prone to porpoise at slow speed due to the rocker, props will help this also. Generally in calm water you will have to keep trim down all the way and possibly tickle some tabs, over 45 or so the bow will carry and you can trim out. 600 a side should go low to mid 90’s. This is with the updated bottom though can’t say if yours is the original design.

where the sides meet the outer edge of the v bottom the newer ones have a wider chine. from the purple haze pic you cannot see this area as the tabs are in the way.

i dont think the old bottom hurt any speed. i ran with that boat more than once when i had stock 454's and we were about even.

Rocker is not going to hurt you for speed. Now a hook is a different story. Pair of big blocks, put 50 gallons on each side and run it. You’ll be fine.

these boats are like a completely different animal with big power, mine runs totally different in rough water with the new engines. originally 454/330 now 557/ 650. -2 imco lowers are the ticket for a 28, the drives are low from the factory.

Thank ya'll for the comments. I did put a straight edge up to the end of hull at transom and the hull was flat, didn't seem to have any rocker, but I thought hook and rocker were same thing.

How fast are you running with the 557 650hp? Do you run bravo or xr uppers? Totally different animal in a good way I presume?

original bravos built with steel towers and xr gears and finned upper cap. done by mr. gadgets here on oso. i like to keep the original look of the boat and the new swept back bravos would have required changing the steering.

i run 95 under ideal conditions. however i need to fine tune the prop selection. i have hill marine 26 and 28 pitch and think i need to split the difference.
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Put the straight edge on the strakes/chines not the hull. I forget exactly how much there is but it’s very subtle. You probably wouldn’t notice by eye without someone pointing it out or putting a straight edge on it. Hook goes down, rocker goes up.

My 28 Cyclone is 7'6" Beam

its not the beam at the rub rail its how far the sides angle in towards the keel of the boat that is wider on the newer ones

I am running a very similar setup to Saber 28, similar HP and running Imco SCs with -2" shorties, I think our difference is gear ration I run 1.50 because I am running smaller lakes and don't have the distance to run out. Spinning 32s that are currently at BBlades get some work done, hopefully some improvement on bow lift. Bigger power was a game changer for me as well. Run 95 to 97 with 5 Adults and 110 gallons of fuel.

Nice numbers, thanks for posting. Love the look of those red big blocks. Really a good job there. I'm working on a blue rebuilt pair of 500HPs with zero hours.....pushing 540hp should get the blood pumping. Looking for aluminum swim platform saw one used, but kind of like the newer style with the circular cuts so will probably buy new. Found someone local that will paint some of my parts with imron (K-planes and lower units). I got the standard Y-pipes for the original 454 365hp mags with the boat, but don't know that they can be used on 500hps.

looks very nice, but holy smokes thats tight in there

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!!

all i can say is thank god the seat back comes up with the hatch lid. actually i think these motors are easier to get to things than the stock motors.

The yellow one was Jerry Mc Connell's first Saber, the ordered a 28 with 500;s next, then 2 different 41 Sabers.