Schweeng

The wife (Mrs. Dawg) and I are planning to buy a Cigarette 38 Top Gun.

The one we planned to buy was the one that crashed in Myrtle Beach. So we're looking again.

Mrs. Dawg found a traditional no-step bottom she liked, thus the debate. She is not convinced that the twin step 38 is the only way to go.

We'd appreciate feedback from those of you who have experience with both.

Chris Prouty

PhantomChaos

Are you serious Chris? That was the boat? Where have you been DAWG!!!! Are you going to Havasu this weekend?

Schweeng

Yeah, that was the boat.

Not sure about Havasu - we have that movie shooting at the house until early Saturday morning. We're playing it by ear...

Mrs. Dawg

Here's my question, since it's going "public" :

If Cigarette was so successful for so many years with the conventional bottom, does the twin step make a marked difference?

Also, does anyone know about how much it costs to repaint a 38 or 42 Cig?

Thanks!

Brigitte Prouty

BLee

Well, I'm sure we will hear from the experts that have never owned either, but here is an opinion from someone who has.

If you have the means to purchase the T/S, buy it. No question that they outperform the original 10 fold. Much more performance with less power, tons better gas efficiency, they handle the rough smoother and quicker, etc.

They are not the only way to go though. A big 38 straight bottom is a fine machine. They will crash the rough and run in any conditions. They will require more power to run. Usually a substantial amount to run really fast.

If you ride in both, you will buy the T/S. I guarantee you that.

Hope that helps somewhat.

ToddW

Smells like up dawg

lucky strike

iTrader: (1)

As "PokerRunGunT/S" said, It's the speed they go with such little effort. A T/S with 500EFI will get you 80 MPH all day long.

A straight bottom, FIBERGLASS Cig you will need about 700-750HP to get to 80 MPH. They also made Kevlar and Carbon Fiber Cigs (straight bottom), which are considerably lighter weight than a fiberglass Top Gun. We have a Carbon Fiber Cig that is for sale with Hawk 525SC blower motors that does 72-73.

Hope this helps some.

LS JR.

Ron P

my buddy bought a 2000 non step 38 Gun last year. He didn't want the step. It ran 72 with the HP 500s. He's building new engines to get it over 80.

No step = no slipping and sliding.

Mrs. Dawg

Does the TS introduce safety issues or performance problems?

The Menace

I have been on both. Rob (a.k.a Rice Hauler) had a 38TS with 500's that hit the low 80's. He put in 600 Zul's and the tattle tale said she cleared 90 on the GPS. (Rob can give you the exact #'s but I am close).

I have a 97 kevlar with 600's. 77 flat out on the GPS. With lab finished props and increasing the air flow to the carbs she will be in the neighborhood of 82-85.

The TS is a much livelier boat. As everybody says, much less power and more speed. The new vacuum bagged composites are worth every penny.

The only issue is the turning capability. It will slide or slip.