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.

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. :D

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

Thing was sick. Just mentioned it in another thread.

what is top speed with 700 .... putting new motors in my glad you know the all white one.....

You bought the all white one eh? Congrats! I watched that thing for a long time. Was a great price. Motors bad or you're just upgrading?

I believe the 700SCI glad did like 120

The motors are good just needed more speed had fun last summer but you know.......

Right on. Sounds like a plan!

Hahahaha! :lolhit:

Stock 700's?

Maybe not stock completely stock :whistle:

Stage 3 kit....It was running over 120

And, looking good while it did!