Fast Gladiator
 

Just lookin through Cig Pics Forum and ran into a few Gladiator pics. Sharp looking boats......Since the Glad is kind of Cigs "hot rod", I was wondering what big power Glads have been built and how fast were they? At what speed does the Glad get dangerous or too fast for the hull? Thanks-

One of them had like twin 700 richie zul power i think....if so, it was a real fast boat! I was on one with 525's and we hit real high 90's I bet we could of reached 100.

A 525 Glad runs about 92-93 mph...

There was one up by me with Zul power. Ran 107-108 if I remember correctly.

One of the coolest boats ever imo. I would love to own one but the no rub rail thing kills it. Too many *******s at the launch powerloading. If I had a lift it would be a no brainer.

Yea, Im really taking a liking to them..... Dan, actually started with the pic of yours, looks like its on the CT River. Nice lines and color combo. Problem is, its a hot rod and needs to be FAST to be effective! Hahaha

Definitely the nicest, and probably the fastest example is the "last Gladiator" that Phil built for himself with 700SCis/NXTs. It's been talked about several times on here. He built it to keep but ended up selling it shortly after completion. It's a baaaaad mama-jama. I like a lot of things about the Gladiators; all but the turning part. :eek: The no-rubrail thing is easy to fix. Dragon and at least one of the Maximus Cigs have added on rub rails which turned out pretty nice.

There is no more of a turning problem with Gladiators than there is with any twin step boat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgIjM7HVvow

Now that I think about it, you're correct- 90's, amazing ride nonetheless!

There is a 750 zul glad that hit 110, the dragon with 700's was a 125 mph boat

THat boat sounded HEALTHY! :evilb:

That was my first fast ride in a Cig...loved it! :evilb:

Props!! only reason, ik the 110 mph boat and it has xr's and the problem was it would run out of prop. A 39ts with 700's and will do 110mph ik for sure but a 38 witch isent done testing and stuff but with Whippled motors that came up a little of 700hp only runs around 100mph with xr's its bc they all run out of prop!!!
If I got the speed wrong on a39 with 700's plz correct me my friend who has one said he got his to the but his mechanic said he has had the boat to 114mph witch seemed a bit hight???
Brett

putting new motors in my glad 555 with whipples 3.3 ....what prop are they running

x2!!!!!!

Your neighbors glad should haul the mail!! Can't wait to get down and start testing props with mine. :cartman:

2004 Gladiator w/800 Zuls 113 mph (w/Phil driving it).

110 is correct (stage 2)

Ill be down sat john was out cleaning your boat today I think we are ready to go do it this weekend!!!!!
Brett

Phil's last Gladiator with Merc 700's/NXT's gets my vote! Neil and Phil custom built the boat and it was custom from head to toe! One of a kind! If I'm not mistaken I think it ended up in Texas somewhere..

Where is the Sterling powered Glad that was in Texas these days? I ran in it a couple times at 108-109.

Maybe time for Cig to re-introduce the Glad with a pair o staggered 1350s??? :bunnydance::daz::lolhit:

THAT would be a raunchy ride!

I think Cig should bring back the Glad, stretch it to 39ft, do alittle bottom work, and put big power in it....

So nobody has put 900's in a Glad yet ?????

The Gladiator is a great boat up to 100, then hold on.

It would need a few more feet and a lot of work to handle big power.

I owned the 750 zul boat ran 110. Very dangerous at that speed I would keep it under 100. Loved the boat just felt like I could die at any time above 100.

what size prop did you run..... putting 555 with blowers hope to get 800 from them

Understood....WOW, and Phil ran one 120+ ?????? Must have been a hairy ride.

The 39 Glad is a great idea, isnt that basically the 399 Skater though?

That was proven to run pretty good with Eddie Young power at high speed.

Ala Bruce Gibson's (RIP) Skater. Very nice piece.

I had a 775 Zul powered Glad and it was Awesome! Mine ran 108 with Bravo props and 104 with 6blade Herings. Handled great and was not scary at all over 100.

I love the idea of a Glad with the 39 bottom!

Thats one nice boat you have Tom and sounds great too!!

The blue and white one?

:party-smiley-004: :lolhit: :daz:

Jess and I are coming down monday to go look at some stuff at Ginger's. You guys gonna be around?

Thx! I 'm running the 6 blade Herings and it's very stable up to 107ish - ran 104 in the Shootout (1 mile). Boat planes with zero slip and has great acceleration - and surprisingly no drive issues.

I think the handling difference in Phil's 120 boat are the NXT's and #6 props. I am still intrigued by his idea of Ilmors and Indy drives in a Glad.

The 39 sit-down would be a cool boat for sure.

Tom your interior looks great. I'm very impressed with the work Justin's guy did.

bad mamma jamma!:eekdrop:

and a 4 seater now...

Wow man! Who did the work? Any more pics?

That's a commitment. Why'd you decide to do that? It looks killer, just wondering if its worth the lost room?

Very nice, Tom... Guess I just missed it at PBC. Justin was hooking up to her when I drove by W&W on the way home. Looks sharp!

Lost room? There was no room - with 5 people someone had to exit the cockpit just so the others could move. Plus there was no way out of the cockpit without stepping on the seats (there is no side step like a top gun) - so I decided to go to 4 seats to make it easy to exit the cockpit and incorporated a step into the center console at the dash to assist the climb onto the bow. Took the stereo out of the console, moved all the switches down, made the console step and recessed the stereo remote into face of the step. There are vented foot tubs that provide access to the stereo amps and provide the vents for the subs. The sidewall cubbies were enlarged and there is red LED lighting in the cubbies, side panels, under the steps, cup holders and foot wells.

Work was done by Waves and Wheels at LOTO - he is the local stereo guru and also does work for MTI - he (Justin Wagner) did the new Black Diamond MTI that was in the Miami show. They ventured into the interiors awhile back and I can't say enough about the quality of the work. The seat surfaces and light silver side panels are a newer marine grade fabric that looks like silk - it really shines when you see it in person.