28 Pantera VS 28 Saber
03-09-2014 | 05:08 PM
#2
Driver-441
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,011
Likes: 1,511
From: Lake George
Never ran a twin big block Saber but I'm not a fan of the way Twin Big block 28 Panteras handle. Twin Small blocks...Yes. Single Big block...yes. Ive run two with twin big blocks...both needed a ton of tab all the time to stop the porpoise, and neither flew level.
03-09-2014 | 05:33 PM
#3
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 3
From: Bay City, MI
I don't know that there is anyone that has owned both in that configuration and only one or two that have had both. I think they are both tough to beat in rough water vs compatible size boat. I was looking at both when shopping and liked the Saber slightly better due to feeling more "in" the boat vs "on" the boat in a Pantera. Also liked the looks a touch better. I think either one, while hitting way above their size range, would be a handful and require a skilled driver at 90+ in any reasonable water. Bravos would be expendable too if driven aggressively at that power level.
As for handling with twin BBC my Saber will only porpoise at speeds slower than 45 if trimmed out. It is a bit tail heavy but not enough to be a problem. Very little tab needed, I never run them past neutral unless you need to level out due to load or running angled to seas. A little tab is needed in bigger following seas to keep the bow down. It is very responsive to both trim and tab, you can make it fly or land in about any attitude you want. Prop selection does play a big part in things though, in my experimentation more blades will equal more tendency to porpoise and don't carry the bow as well.
Based on what I have been tod by guys who have owned both single and twin Sabers the twin is superior and the one twin SBC was the best as far as flying level etc.
As for handling with twin BBC my Saber will only porpoise at speeds slower than 45 if trimmed out. It is a bit tail heavy but not enough to be a problem. Very little tab needed, I never run them past neutral unless you need to level out due to load or running angled to seas. A little tab is needed in bigger following seas to keep the bow down. It is very responsive to both trim and tab, you can make it fly or land in about any attitude you want. Prop selection does play a big part in things though, in my experimentation more blades will equal more tendency to porpoise and don't carry the bow as well.
Based on what I have been tod by guys who have owned both single and twin Sabers the twin is superior and the one twin SBC was the best as far as flying level etc.
03-09-2014 | 06:29 PM
#6
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,306
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From: lockport ny
my single race boat handled the best of my 3 pantera's, the twin bigblock was better than my notched transom single bbc. i was looking at a twin saber 28 this weekend and was really impressed with the build quality of the boat!! the Pantera has a pr of 502/550?hp big blocks and the Saber has 572/650's. they are within a couple bucks of eachother. what would you choose?
