36 Gladiators, how do they run??
 

Thinking about buying a Gladiator, I boat in Lake Michigan and may do some boating in Miami during winter. Was hoping to get some opinions how these boats handle choppy water? I assume better setup is staggered rather than side by side? And are they pretty stable at speed?

Like all boats, I am sure they have a few quirks, what should I look for when checking them out.

Any info that can be offered would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

without a doubt, it all depends on driver experience..based on my first hand knowledge as I own one..It seems to perform extremely well with some chop as it lets it get some air..I run both the ocean and the bay and have never had any trouble handling both sides...mine is a stag boat. I tend to think it all comes down to your experience with driving a step bottom boat..You will get all kinds of scenarios, but run the way it should be run, i have found it to be one of the better boats out..If you expect to buy a 525 boat, You will enjoy it every time you want to boat..great handling, performance and overall fun..And turn key...Little to no maintennance, with only the oil and gear lube changes to keep it running every weekend..

Just my Biased way to explain what a Glad is all about..:lolhit:

:drink:

AWESOME boat, they handle great BUT you need to know how to drive them. I have driven/throttled many of them. Its more or less the same as a step bottom boat but in a way different as well. All in all great boat. One of the nicest lines out there IMO. Try and get it stag less room in the cockpit but they fly and handle a lot better. One of my customers has one that he might be intrested in selling...good luck

One of the best performing boats I have ever owned. I had a 2003 525 staggered boat. This boat was way to much fun.

I Must say the gladiator is the most awesome go fast boat ive ever expereinced, ive owned mine for 5 years now, it is a head turner every where i go!, great powere to weight ratio, handles great in the rough stuff, i still grin ear to ear every time im out, i have staggered 800 zuls that have been turn key every year, very reliable power, cant say enough about it

They run better than a Gun, that's how they run.

This is great info, does anyone know how many were made and what years they were made? Did they build any with 6's?

Stick with a staggered set up. Also, if you want the ultimate look, stick with the narrow cockpit configuration versus the wide cockpit.

PM what is the major difference between stag vs non? The way it flies and rides? I like the side-by-side just based on the room in the cockpit. Also what are the advantages if any of a narrow cockpit to wide? Bring more weight to the center?

I had an 04' with staggared 775 Zuls. I loved it! It accelerated like you were shot out of a cannon and handled flawless @ 100+. I think the only real drawback is very limited space in the cockpit and no cabin but I didn't mind. Great boat!!!

I've been on a gladiator with a staggered twin 575 set up. They handle chop and mild wakes very well and comfortably also. The lack of a rubrail does create a disadvantage though when it comes to docks (gotta make sure the boat doesn't get scratched up). And gladiators have stepped hulls, because when in doubt, trim it out.

I just prefer the staggered because I like that set-up. It is kind of like the next generation of the Gladiator. I have been in both set-ups, and they both ride nice. But, I think most people would prefer the staggered. As far as the cockpit, the narrow cockpit just looks cooler, nothing to do with weight or center of gravity.

Like everyone has said, whether it's a wide or narrow cockpit, stag or not, you still have a gladiator. One of the best performing boats around and in limited numbers.. Not only will you have a glad, but it's obviously only made by 1 company...

CIG #1...

You can't go wrong..:evilb:

I couldn't have said it better! Thats totally true.

So true. The beautiful lines without the rubrails is what makes this boat so good looking. But, when you get to the dock, you just have to be prepared. But even if you had rubrails, with any nice noat with nice paint, you still have to be careful.

Does lipship still have their 700sci boat or did they sell it? It doesn't get better than that.

Sold.

I totally agree.

My Top Guns with rubrails, were just as easy to scratch as my Skater with no rubrail is. I have always been the type to put the bumpers out BEFORE I approach the dock, so my method didn't change when I went to the Skater with no rubrail.

If you are one that puts the bumpers out after you've already "docked" the boat, the risk is obviously much higher that you will scratch the boat, with or without a rubrail.

The no rubrail aspect is one of the best parts about the Gladiators' style. I couldn't imagine it being a deal breaker for ANY reason, unless the person shopping is literally a first time boater of ANY kind, which means they probably shouldn't be starting with this type of boat anyway.

Brandon,
Rob (offshoredrillin) can sell you or anyone that may want it a 3m clear rubrail. It is the same stuff they put on the front of cars to save them from stone chipping. The gauge is thicker, and I think its not such a bad idea. It definetely would help for some of the lighter taps against the docks.

Awesome! Thats all you need to know.:D

Yeah, I actually talked to Rob about that a couple of years back as well. That would be some killer protection for the deck, as well as the sides as you mentioned. Hell, I'd cover the whole damn boat with it, if there was a way to make it seamless, without driving the installer completely mad in the process. http://smiliesftw.com/x/e5cyippee.gif :drink:

That stuff is harder to clean the bugs off of as well, as opposed to the painted surface. That's been my experience on the cars I've had it on at least?

I wonder if it would cut down any on the heat over the darker colors, having that soft "plastic-like" buffer between the paint & your bare feet? Rob?

Wouldn't change the heat factor much, all the films are UV compatible, now as for the bugs being harder to wipe off, it sounds like the film the installer used isn't top/clearcoated. this is on the F cars correct? Lots of installers will go and use a non clear/top coated film because it is easier to install, even as my Design company grows bigger, lots of guys still hand cut because they dont want to spend the money for a quality design, PCNA is using our designs now as well. non coated film will offer a similar resistance to rock chips, however the film will feel tacky and the bugs will stick more as when they implode and dry, they resulting acid leaches into the film, try using white vinegar and water on them as they vinegar will break down the acids. the widest we have now in coated films, is 48" the new avery nano film is awesome (especially on black) and will soon be out in 60" rolls...but as with all things that good it comes at a premium price too, just did a ford GT and a brand new TT cab, wow, totally invisible.

I still have some of the 20 mil film in 3 inch rolls.. I'll send you some out if n/c if you want to try some, sent some to another guy for a bow protector for beaching and he loves it.

That's exactly what it does. I've had to replace the sheets that go down the rocker panels, then back up & around the brake cooling duct in front of the rear wheels. I was just commenting the other day, about how it's already time to replace the chit again, AND how it looks like chit because the rocks & bugs have beaten the chit out of it. The hood takes about 15 extra minutes to clean, and that's for a little better than a half ass job, because the bugs are almost impossible to clean off of the film.

I had the dealership do it both times, so after your explanation, it's obvious they are using ghetto film.... I have another guy that does everything else to the cars I'd rather use anyway, so thanks for giving me a reason to switch!

let me know who you use, if he is using my designs awesome, if not I would like to get him to try them, I think he will be impressed with them, also on the F cars the new Avery Nano film on black is incredible...the link below is a black ML I did...everything from the windshield forward is done as well as rockers, and behind rear wheels...

http://picasaweb.google.com/11786804...49713435278002