Looking at possibly moving up in size and Black Thunder is one of the boats on the radar. Looking for some general information on them, have seen them and looked over a couple but don't know a whole lot about them.

First off, when it comes to model names/numbers what denotes what? Are there any changes over the years in design, particularly in the bottom? Are there flat bottom boats in the earlier years and then a switch to steps like most other manufacturers? If so how much performance do you gain or lose by choosing one over the other? Did layup become lighter or move away from wood in later model years? Any years have better build quality than others?

When it comes to deck design I know they made both a flat deck and raised deck. Have been in the raised deck and know about the huge amount of headroom. How much smaller is the cabin in a flat deck 43 vs the raised deck? I prefer the looks of the flat deck and would give up some headroom if it is still useable. What years or year did they switch to the raised deck or did they always produce both?

Power wise it seems a lot of them came with triples. What kind of performance does triple 525 sc or 500hp provide in a 43? What about twins, what kind of speeds will they provide? In a twin setup how much HP roughly to run 85-90 and cruise at 55-60? Were there any built with something other than Bravo's? I imagine any real power in one of these beasts would be a Bravo killer.

What about ride quality in the rough? Compared to say a straight bottom Top Gun?

Finally, build quality? I have heard a fair amount of them have had issues with getting wet. Any input there?

Thanks for any info, will help to narrow things down a bit.

SC is tall deck
GT is flat deck

5ft headroom for flat deck
6'10" for tall deck

70 with twin hp500 in tall deck stepped boat
85 in triple ho500 tall deck step boat

97 first year of steps, some had built in extension boxes as they needed it. Roughly 5mph faster than straight bottom

05 was first year of mild bottom change on 46 then again in 07. Step and strake placement the same from 99-2005 I can verify as I've had the boats sitting next to each other on a trailer.

Moisture??? It's a boat and if things aren't seal correctly then moisture is an issue as with any boat. I've never heard a particular model having said issue but a surveyor is always a good investment.

Ride: I'd take my 02 TS TopGun ride any day of the week over my black thunder. It's not the same boat nor job description. These are big weekending boats that run well. Guys that want corvette like handling out of an impala are going to be upset. It rides well though and loves the rough.

Cruise 50-60 and run 90 with twins? Sure. Got the boat that "used to" do that. It ate drives a lot too! You need a true 750-800hp engine and drives that will take it. BMAX or IMCO come to mind for bolt ons.

Good solid performer is 550hp to 650hp NA motor. The torque wont kill the drives and your top speed is mid to upper 70s any day loaded. That's what I shot for when I pulled the super chargers off mine.

Choose one for Job description. We weekend on ours with two children so a gen and big v berth was crucial.

Personal experience:
99 SC smith power HP500s 72mph
99 SC Lorenzo 750s 86 now NA 75
01 SC Warmed up 500efi 75
02 46SC Keith Eickert 700s 86
97 GT straight bottom HP525efi 72mph

Thanks for the detailed reply, exactly the information and experience I was looking for. I was a bit confused over the GT/SC thing because a lot of the 430GT I have found listed have the taller deck and I much prefer the flat deck looks wise.

They seem to be great boats and I like them a lot but I'm afraid they may be a bit to much like a cruiser moving out of a smaller boat that runs pretty well. Going 70 in a 43 might be a bit of a letdown and I don't want a drive destroyer to get the performance.

hh

How are thing going on my old BT?

Going well!! She definitely needed some love but she's getting it too!! The family and I have been enjoying it! Thanks for having the gen added and high speed pickup on it!! Two weekends ago the we launched at Pickwick, ran toward muscle shoals Alabama then cam back and went down the Tombigbee into Mississippi. Lots of compliments on the paint job as well!! I remember some of the story behind it but who painted the boat?