I sold my 03 top gun and bought a staggared 525 gladiator. i love the boat! once you sit down you will never want to stand again! runs 90 every day with a 6 blade herring. i have the dual throttle set up wich makes it fun to give up the wheel. i will never buy a stand up again!

Owning a sit down V bottom.... I love it! There is no "social room" in the cockpit but very rarely to I anchor somewhere alone. I mounted a porta-potti under the deck hatch for emergencies and have more storage than I know what to do with. For me there is nothing like the ride both in security and feel of a sit down boat.

It really depends on how and where you boat. For me it is destination to destination (even if it is a raft up), I never want to sleep on it, and all my previous boats the cabin was just a storage place... that usually got wet and mildewy.

I'am a cat guy. But if I went to a v hull this would e my first choice a 36. But everyone has there own opinion and needs.

Thanks Tank, appreciate the input! You make some great points, I never really thought about the "cat" option, but, your correct, if I am gonna have a boat with No cabin, it might as well be a boat that will run WELL into tripple digits with stock power [-:

Although, I hear the insurance is brutal on a Cat?

Is there ANY cabin whatsover in a Gladiator? or just carpet? I am not sure if I could drive a sit down boat, I drive a car with a windshield in front of me everyday, but, driving a boat sitting down "feels" weird, but, I guess you would get used to it?

The "cabin" in Glads are unfinished, super low head room and only have access through a single deck hatch. You look down into it and there's usually a box for fender storage. LOTS of people have talked about making a cabin down below but I just don't think it's practical. Be better suited to buy one of the 3 F2 Cigs on the market and put a cabin in one of them.

And I wasn't trying to talk you into buying a cat or out of buying this boat (again, it's a sick boat, great price and owned by a respected / professional mechanic). I was just pointing out the reasons I think the re-sale on the Glads isn't what you'd expect. And yes, cat insurance is going to be (way) higher than the Glad.

Thanks, and you are right about Phil's 700 Glad. That was an incredible boat.

YES! Very nice indeed.

You gotta love the no nonsense straight "bad azzness" of the Gladiator.

I do believe Phil said it was his favorite cig....Of course that was before he was building 50's.

No Problem Tank! I appreciate the input, as always!

I hadn't really considered the "cat" option, and to be honest I really love the lines of the Gladiator, if I was in a position to have a "dedicated" poker run boat, that would probably be it! However, I have a little niece and some other friends that enjoy going out, cruising and spending the day rafted up, or on the hook, swimming and enjoying the weather, so, I dont need a full galley, but, some storage and a place to get out of the weather is important, its amazing how "small" a boat can get when you start putting coolers, clothes, swim noodles, and all that kind of stuff in it!

I guess its kind of a Niche boat? I do really like the lines though, its a really nice looking piece.

Ya know, I am STILL regretting not making an offer on that older [mid 90's?] "Orange" Top Gun with the number 6's and 750HP motors that was for sale a few years ago, wonder where it ended up?

It's @ LOTO

Cool, Thanks! Was a nice boat, older, but really well done