What's the skinny on this Gladiator?
 

History?

Been in that boat. It's a Lip-ship. Sweet ride. Been off the radar for a bunch of years.

Is it not the Glad that got wet on Texoma?

I do believe you are correct, sir. Could've sworn I had pics of it bobbin. They're out there.

That had to be around 2006/7/8? Where's it been since?

Sounds about right. I have a pic of it bow up. I just need to go through all my pics.

Phil did a really nice job on that boat. It's beautiful. Ran good too. We raced a little skater across biscayne bay at sunset in the last thing coming back from dinner. Good times.

Most gladiators ended up this way.

They're drivers boats. Aggressive. Funny that a bunch went over in the beginning but you never hear about them going over anymore. Steep learning curve - not for the novice driver . Took a minute for people to stop tucking drives in turns. ;) ;)

TxHawk has pix of it pointy end up. I'll let him know about this thread

What a surprise or rather why am I not surprised? Why stop there? Go ahead with the rest of the story, build date, who all has owned the boat, power, speed, ect. Come on Tank, give it up brother.

Lol. For some reason I retain all this useless boating knowledge but can't remember a dr. Appointment to save my life. :D

Your info is far from useless. Keep it coming.

I believe Andrew Chatow was the first owner.

There's your sit down Greg. Screw 200k. 135 and a lot of gas money and a two boat owner ;)

The boat is currently at Rum Runners in Cape Coral. Seen it last weekend and looks very nice.

That was my favorite Gladiator until it became a sinker instead of a bobber. :picard1:

Yea Tank get to the doctor, we all need your knowledge, LOL

A little fresh water rinse. Whatever. ;)

here it is at rumrunners in cape coral

Beautiful boat

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/a...diator-024.jpg
Makes me wonder what the internals of the engines look like? Props and drives look a little salty. Bad ass looking boat.

If anyone wants me to go check anything out on it, I'd be happy to do so. It's about a mile from my house. ;)

Craig

They actually drive great, but do become a drivers boat over 100 mph ish. When these boats first came out, they were like a little" hot rod" and a lot of first time performance buyers purchased them (second hand) because they were cool looking , sit-down style and less expensive than a Top Gun. Unfortunately, these buyers had no experience/time with a twin-step and tried to run them like every other boat.

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I am the one Tom posted the question for. Have been having trouble getting any history from the seller. It looks like it is still flying a 2006 Texas registration so where the hell has it been for the last 10 years after the unfortunate submarine incident.

Assuming the engines have been made right and the cosmetic repairs made, what should I be looking for in a sunk boat for damage that would be a deal killer.

Am I wrong in thinking that this should be a $100K or less boat?

And yes the drives look pretty salty for a claimed fresh water only boat.

Also, can someone point me to a qualified Cig surveyor in the Cape Coral area to give this thing a complete looking over? I may hop down this week to see it in person too.

agree with why most of these got "wet" not the boats problem more of a driver issue.

A boat that went under, I would say wiring. hot wires will pull water in at the open ends and cored on the inside unseen by the eye. that can/will make a mess in years to come with electrical issues. but not much wiring on them, so work new wiring into the price.

Bruce - have Craig (Old School) take a look for you - don't hold it against him that we know each other,,,

I'm on my second, Darren's had 2 and Todd 3 (I think) Gladiators - no issues with driving them if you know what to do with a twin step - I think they are a blast to drive.

For the record my boat has not seen salt water and if you leave your boat in the fresh water in a marina for even a short time with cruisers that are not properly grounded you will see that type of corrosion .
Do your home work before you squash the deal
RG.

Rick, I am as concerned about the lost decade with this boat (still flying a 2006 TX registration sticker) as I am about its sinking in texoma. I have been able to track down other listings for it in Miami area. In short, its been in Florida too long to still be considered a fresh water boat IMO.

BMBoyer , I have no info on this boat , my comment was just in response to the marks on the drives . I know it's a big deal if a boat sinks but I also think that if bought right it could a hell of a deal .
RG.

There in lies the question. What is "bought right" when the most interesting photo of it is this -[ATTACH=CONFIG]552853[/ATTACH]

It spent its first few years in salt.

Learn something new every day..... Dad had a marionette that had to have the lead guppy hanging off it for proper grounding. I mentioned the drives not to be a deal breaker, just as a heads up. A friend bought a FRESHWATER TURN KEY top gun. Shortly after purchase he lost a engine and broke them both down. He had a great surprise to find out the internals we're destroyed from not properly flushing after salt water use. The thermostats and housings were rotted. I will let him know it was probably from sitting next to a ungrounded cruiser and will make sure to get a guppy to hang off my top gun. Thanks for lesson.

What a scary pic !!!!! Very sad......

I'd say about 2/3 of what a comparable boat with no history would trade for. That is pretty standard in the marine, aircraft, and auto market.

The Gladiator market has been holding around $125k for a staggered 525 boat, so using that math I would say if you could buy it for somewhere in the $80's it'd be a good deal.

I would go higher with complete disclosure of the repair and it was done by a with a reputable shop. Someone on here indicated that they knew the shop but I haven't heard who it was. Still would be considerably less than a no history boat though.

Gladiators are amazing boats! I can not say enough good things about how great they drive and handle. Any negative comments are coming from uneducated trolls.

Personally I would not be scared of any saltwater boat or sunk boat that has been properly maintained and repaired especially if the price is right.

The boat has run a lot since the incident. It was a soft roll and most damage was done during its retrieval. They don't all check in to OSO for their required Cigarette family update. I followed it close after the roll as one I would consider owning some day. Not the right time yet...

Had a party barge that was deemed unseaworthy after year and a half. Manufacture had some electrical issues and it ate the pontoons and all the metal on the boat. Same thing can happen with the drives trim tabs gamble etc