Gladiator reviews
08-06-2008 | 08:17 AM
#31
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Tulsa, OK
Like fountain40icbm said, no they are not. It is like Chris said, a different technique than a straight bottom. If you bring it to Grand Lake, I'll be happy to ride along with you and give you any help you ask for. I had a T/S Top Gun and have driven/ridden in many fast Gladiators. They are sweet boats. 
Oh, and the 35T/S doens't have a notch in it's transom, making it able to turn the sharpest.
Oh, and the 35T/S doens't have a notch in it's transom, making it able to turn the sharpest.
hopfully I'll get mine sold and get to do some #1 shopping soon.
08-06-2008 | 01:49 PM
#34
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: New Jersey
Any stepped hull has to be driven differently than a straight hull. You do not want to "tuck" the drives in when turning a stepped hull like you might on a conventional V. When you are turning the stepped hulls at speed, you want to prevent the front of the boat from digging into the turn because the steps will allow the bottom to break contact with the water and cause the rear to loose bite and come around. It took me a while to learn the ins and outs of running my 29' Kryptonite (single step and notched transom) after running a 22' Donzi classic and racing a 29' Mirage.
Stepping up to my 38' Comp was easy compared to the Kryptonite.
By the way, I love running a sit down boat and for poker runs would not want anything else. For entertaining, it is not so good...that is why I have friends with cruisers and center consoles to raft up with.
Stepping up to my 38' Comp was easy compared to the Kryptonite.
By the way, I love running a sit down boat and for poker runs would not want anything else. For entertaining, it is not so good...that is why I have friends with cruisers and center consoles to raft up with.
08-06-2008 | 04:49 PM
#35
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Look between this post and the one I quoted- sounds like a few more might point towards driver error as well...
As you see I said I have always "guessed"- look up what that word means, I don't have time.
~Less weight of not having a cabin- could make the boat a little more flightly than a heavier boat
~looks like there would be less visibility (again guess since I have driven one and never have claimed to have done so) than if it were a stand up boat (looking down at waves to me is easier to read how they are running and the size of them)
~sitting and bolstered in (sort of like a sports car feel is what I have heard but again- just a guess...)
So I was guessing all those things might give the driver a little bit more confidence which causes them to drive above their skill level when they normally wouldn't. Guess you don't agree- please feel free to edit your post accordingly..
08-06-2008 | 04:50 PM
#36
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MM, I would think the issue of not having the weight of a cabin would actually help prevent a spin out/hook and not exacerbate it. With less weight up front, my thinking would be that the boat would more easily carry the bow and thereby have less of a tendency to stick the nose in the water if you did trim down. Of course, there are more factors involved than just drive trim angle. I've never owned or raced one so there are many more qualified people than me to comment on this. I'm just thinking out load - which is usually a fairly dangerous proposition for me!!!
08-06-2008 | 10:04 PM
#38
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From: Socialist Republic of Washington State
Visibility is not a problem on plane, only getting on plane. In addition to knowing how to turn, you want to be careful crossing the disturbed water of someone else's wake. That is a stepped bottom trait and Tres will cover that in detail
08-06-2008 | 11:42 PM
#39
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From: Channel Islands, So. Cal.
Handles GREAT!!
With that said, I've ridden in a couple (including one of the ones pictured bellow) Both ran very well, no issues. They cornered like they were on rails!
With that said, I've ridden in a couple (including one of the ones pictured bellow) Both ran very well, no issues. They cornered like they were on rails!
Last edited by thisistank; 08-06-2008 at 11:45 PM.
08-07-2008 | 02:32 PM
#40
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From: Carrollton, TX
