2002 Gladiator
 

Hey Guys!

I was just checking out the 2002 Gladiator just listed in the classifieds, looks like a nice piece! Anyone know the history of the boat? Any idea what kind of top speed you would get out of a pair of whippled/rebuilt 500EFI's?

What are the drawbacks/advantages to a "sit down" boat?


Thanks!
Michael



http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o49533-en.html

Nice Glad....wish the wife would consider one as i love them. She doesn't mind the sit down but wishes it at least had a mini cabin of some sort. Wish they would redo the 36 with a std cockpit config and little basic cabin. Beautiful boat! I'm not sure on speed but I'd ass-u-me 100ish + with that set up.

That's Joe Bacas personal boat. He's a very well respected mechanic in So-Cal that merged with Pfaff motors a couple years ago. http://www.bacamarine.com/

I've seen the boat in person a few times in Havasu and it is defintately clean. I'm not a huge fan of the blazé paint but at 95k with that power on a myco and maintained by a well respected mechanic/owner, its a smokin deal.

I thought it was a really good deal too, and I actually don't mind the graphics, but, as Hossman pointed out, the lack of any cabin IS a bit of drawback.

Tank: what's your thoughts on a "sit down" boat? I know you have ridden in or driven pretty much anything that floats and would appreciate your input!

Thanks Tank and Hossman, it's appreciated!

Michael

I've ridden in a few glads. Some people swear by them, others don't. Its definately made for a very small market. It's a sports car. The finish and performance of the glads is awesome. They're a kick to drive and I would actually consider buying one if they weren't so damn impractical. Offshore boats aren't practical to start with but a sit down, no cabin boat just compounds that. I also don't like that they take the freedom of standing or sitting such as you get in a conventional offshore boat. But then again, 99.9% of cats are sit down and they're obviously popular. And that brings up another point; if you're going to buy a cabinless, sit down boat - might as well buy a cat that will be faster with equal power/set up which I think is what kills the resale.

But even with those negative aspects, 95k OBO for this boat is a great buy! The last one that went for that cheap was not even close to this well cared for (the all white glad).

If you want to take a boat to lunch or just want to go for a cruise, the Gladiator is awesome. But, just like a Lambo, it is not the most family friendly vehicle/boat. Its not for everyone, but doesn't need to be.
And, imagine, the seller of that 02 thinking he has the nicest and cleanest Glad around. Maybe around his yard.:D

nice ride. no cabin just means one less thing to update in few years. ;)

And one less thing to break.

+1

Cleanest honours goes to your gladiator. As for the best around I've always liked the one Phil did up with the 700s.