Diff. between straight 38 and T/S ??
 

Hey guys, I'm looking at a straight bottom 38 top gun(2000) And I wanted to know how much of a difference there was to the twin step? I've never had a Cig., But I have drove a step bottom boat before.I would really appreciate all of the responses !!!!!

straight bottom runs a lot better, smother, real rough water boat, don't walk on the water.....the only benefit i see with the step is you gain 7-8 more mph with same power.....like the famous saying goes......no pad no step big power no b.s....but every one has there own thoughts to this matter

jr

To me a T/S runs as good if not better...............but what do I know. If you want to spend the money buy a T/S. If you need a nicer full cabin buy the straight bottom.

I thought the difference in same power boats was more significant - like 11 or 12 MPH, and I only say this based on what I believe I have (HP wise) and what stock 525 boats run. Other more knowledgeable people will probably chime in and let me know I'm wrong.

The other important difference is that the Flat Bottoms have full cabins with enclosed heads - step bottoms all have one of a couple different layouts, but none with an enclosed head. 1/2 cabin, 3/4 cabin, extended cabin.

i could be off speed wise but not by that much.... hey my flat bottom as no cabin at ALL :D

JR

I have owned a 2000 straight bottom TG and an 2004 TSTG - Simply put I would never own a straight bottom again....Huge difference!!!

Same story here except. 1991 Straight bottom. 2000 T/S.

The difference is like night & day.

I agree. I had a 92 straight bottom, and my TS was a 100% better boat in every single category. It would blow the doors clean of the straight bottom in any conditions you could throw at it.

A straight bottom with HUGE power & 6's, or even a rare staggered one will be the best possible setup for a straight bottom if you go that route, but the TS with any power will outperform them. I'm talking 38 Top Guns, not Playboy 35's, Tigers, or any of that other stuff.

Yeah I am coming out of a pretty slow boat( '29 powerquest), But I added some power and it runs very respectable. I do mainly boat on a river and we do stay on the boat on overnights and take lake trips. I am looking to not loose much cabin space and a speed of 75-85 is about all I'm looking for. yeah, yeah....I know I would like to run 100 + too,But I have to live in my world of means.

A twin step Top Gun is an excellent boat and in my opinion a better boat than a straight bottom gun. They rock in the rough stuff, they handle awesome, and they go great with mild power.

DK

Doesn't make any sense that a boat with steps that sits higher in the water would run better in rough water then a boat that has a flat bottom and sits deeper??

You have to have experience in both boats for it to make sense.

Probably have more experience then you think there big guy!!!

:eek:

I just got back from LOTO and I can say my T/S ate that chit up!!
Had the best time ever on that lake. Bring on da slop!!!

Don't be scared!!! I am basically asking a question so if you're so experienced then let's hear the answer?? Explain why a T/S will run better in the rough then a flatbottom?

Bravo boat to Bravo boat, I would prefer a T/S Gun.
With Speedmaster's in them, its a different story. Flatbottom Guns with speedmasters are better balanced then T/S Guns with speedmasters because of them having the cabins in them vs virtually nothing for cabins ( and weight ) in the T/S's. SSM T/S 38 Guns just dont run well overall, from being tail heavy, from what I have seen. Granted, there arent that many of them.

Talk to Phil @ Lip-Ship. He will tell you there is no comparison. Twin-step is the way to go. And, yes, it rides noticably better.

not to steal the thread-but Quinlan did you have the 38 with the Zuls?

All I know is I owned a 93 strait bottom (twice), a 97 strait bottom and a 2001 TSTG. No comparison at all, not even close the TSTG at least at LOTO is hands down a better boat.

My experience, your's may vary.

Not me.

Mine had 575sci's that have been TOTALLY rebuilt by BRAD SMITH. Only thing kept was the block and crank. Bored out, Alum heads and about *** HP

What kind of weight difference are we talking about between two similar rigged T/G .. straight to T/S ?

The TS run flatter, the nose does not carry as high when you launch off a big swell. They also excelerate much quicker between waves.

If you compare a cover girl cabin straight to a TS about 7-8 MPH.

TS with 500efi's is a 83/84 mph on its best day...so a staight bottom can run near 76mph??? Really - thought the difference was greater...

A 2000 TOP Gun Straight bottom with a cover girl cabin and 500EFI's or Bulldogs were running 77.

:eek:

my 99 straight bottoms runs 76 with 500 efis bone stock with XRs with imco lowers was a little faster when it had regular bravos lost about 2 mph. i ran a few poker runs up here with some nice boats newer topguns with 600s and some outerlimits with big power when we hit the ocean with ruff water I keep up pretty good with those 90 plus MPH boats with my 76MPH slug, so my opinion is the straight bottom is better in rough water but how often are you in real ruff water. you are probably better off with the twin step faster boat ,newer boat.

The last 2-3 years of the straight bottom obviously are the most efficient ones, since they were all vacuum bagged & used better materials that the first ones.

I'm just saying my 92 Top Gun with 550hp Hawks, TRS drives, which fact:

ARE the best drive to have on a Gun up to 96-97, when they adjusted the rear bulkhead. The Top Gun was originally designed to fit either TRS drives, or at most a speedmaster 5, which worked great as well. The transmission for either was/is directly part of the CG along with that bulkhead...

....that boat would get undeniably SMOKED by a 525hp TS Gun, in any water conditions. I had a 625hp TS Gun, which would have embarrassed it. I would think that most of anyone that's owned a 38 TS AND a straight bottom Gun would agree.

With todays' big power & 6's, the straight bottoms come alive big time, but still need sooo much power to keep up the new hulls on the short or long haul. The acceleration of the TS Top Gun's in all water conditions is probably the most noticeable detail, along with how much smoother they ride. There's literally zero porpoise in the 38TS at any speed, and no tabs are needed unless you're in some bigger water.

B - you looked good blowing by me yesterday n da Skater and I was at 85 or 6. But my T/S wuz eatin dat chit up. Gotta luv it!!

Sweet

Thanks man, you guys looked great too! I had seen you going North so we turned it around to wave. Leslie asked, "Who is that?", so I said "it's Scott Quinlan!" She says, "Oh!! Get closer so I can wave!!!" :coolcowboy:

Your boat was definitely running great out there. We were running around 115ish when we passed. It looked like you guys were having fun! :ernaehrung004: