Staggered TOPGUN conversion
 

My 90 TG is going to be going under the knife for transom replacement after the summer and I was pondering making it a staggered instead of side by side. Any thoughts or concerns?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:greenchainsaw:

If you have the time and money anything is possible. Remember fuel tanks are moved too. Could be a cool project but not for the faint of heart. Would be cheaper to sell yours and buy the 90MPH in the classifieds.

do ittttttt

i would think you would need to modify the hatch. it is costing me around $6k just to add some height to mine, while keeping the overall dimensions. i would bet lengthening it would be pretty $$ in order for it to look factory.

Buy an already staggard gun and sell yours, if you really want to do it.

I also had the bravado to tackle a large project. If only I knew what I was getting into, I could have been boating years ago, YEARS. For what you gain, I would highly advise against the project.

On the other hand, if you are a glutton for punishment, then by all means, good luck to you and enjoy.

I would think not cost effective, but some guys dig the project more then having a finished boat. To each there own. You are talking Driveline (Drive Shaft) Drives, Exhaust, Stringers, Motor Mounts, Hatch, Gas Tanks, Firewall, Plumbing. That's what I can think of on the short list. Cheaper to buy a used 39 Top Gun Unlimited StaggeredI in the long run. And it would be faster. Just my opinion, and it would be 21-25 years newer

agree 100%. now if you want a fully custom boat to your liking go for it.

Jsbrowni I am considering doing the same thing to my flat deck. But if you not in the position to do most of the work your self then either be prepared to be way upside down in your your boat or buy the red 90 mph in the classifieds . It is a sweet ride and will cost way less in the long run . I am cursed with the love of the project and have the misguided thought I can do anything myself . I need help .
Rick G.

Everyone is offering sound advice here, buy the one in the classifieds, it's a sweet ride!

You guys are bumming me out! That 90MPH is nice but I own mine and can do the work my self. I guess i am that guy that cant stay out of a project. We will see.
Thank you for the feed back so far.
Shawn

In two years................ ( top gun for sale, needs transom and stringers ) but all the hard work is done.................... Thats a major undertaking, good luck if you decide to cut it up

Don't forget the Arnesons lol

I am not convinced, that staggered, is faster, or better

ZP given all the advancements in drive and prop technology you are probably right .
RG.

Here is a Devils Advocate Question. What will you gain by going Staggered? Let's say you do all the work yourself. Its still going to cost some good coin to make it happen. If you are looking to get some speed out of the boat, throw some money at the Power, Drivetrain and Props first. You can bolt on and tune some superchargers way cheaper then making the boat staggered. Hard one to justify. I don't know what the speed gains would be by going staggered, all depends on setup, but I do know that adding 5-10 lbs of boost will certainly increase the speed. LOL. Good luck on either direction. I love to watch a good build thread, I also like looking at pictures of boats on the water and enjoying them.

Rooster tail looks far cooler than a smaller cockpit :p probably faster too

I don't care who ya are, that right there is funny!

Im curious to see how this boat turns out......its going to be a painful 110 page thread that will end in 2018....I agree with the group, buy the 90 MPH boat. If you own yours that means you have a good chunk of the purchase covered when you sell it!!!! Just my worthless .02

Well if you decide to do it don't forget to take a ton of pics and start a build thread for our enjoyment

It is probably more of a balance issue. A staggered boat with no cabin works but with a cabin, I think it might have too much nose weight. Just a guess. ZP would know he works and plays with both.

But staggereds are cool

Luckily Straight Bottom Top Guns Tend to Ride Bow How to Begin with. The boat in question is a 1990 which means it does not have a notched transom either, so I am not sure how that will come into play. Guess we will wait and see. It will be a cool project none the less, however this seems like a late fall, winter project. For many of us, boating season is kicking off in full gear this weekend. Don't want to work on the boats, want to run the boats.

87 was the only year without a notched transom

I like the idea of more speed but like the idea of accessibility to each engine and better wave crashing balance? I watch those Apaches on YTube jumping waves and find my happy place. Mine does have a notched transom and a full cabin.

I have been on both a 1988 and a 1989 with no notched transom. I have seen both, that is why I asked.

Here is one picture of a 1989.

I also almost bought a 1990 years back from Phil Lipship and it was Purple and Yellow. Had no notch and I was surprised at that. I did not buy the boat

The staggered tailpipes alone are 10k, now add the driveshaft weight, with guard, (it's not light) , plus flanged transmission needed, then you better be putting dry sump 6a on or it's a waste of time. Fill the transom to no holes. Now 5 k for rear standup bolsters, then they don't match the front soooo.. 7 k. Then two custom saddle tanks because the floor tanks were removed. Plus a new longer hatch. Plus, plus plus.

Put big power in what you have and rock on.

Learn something new everyday, never knew that. Was always told 87 only, I picked up old school from Craig, it was an 88 I believe and had a notch.

I agree, no rhyme or reason from cig in those years, everything could be ordered. Probably mattered which molds were available that day......lol

I agree with the masses. Save your time and money and go buy one of those Apaches.

Jsbrowni I would talk to ZP about accessibility I think once you fill the bilge with 4 saddle tanks ,the drive shaft , the staggered exhaust and tail pipes I am not sure how much easier it would be to move around in there . Don't get me wrong nothing beats the cool factor but make sure you are prepared to spend the dough and give up cockpit space .

RG.

I thought dudes, especially performance boaters, where irrationally motivated like me! LOL. I get it and will find something else to distract me. Thank you all for your insight.
On another note, Just spent the last 2 hours reading through "Another 5 becomes a 6" thread; Impressive!

Only 4 original 90 mph staggered left with only 3 in the states. FatBoy is being converted to side by side. Makes no sense but to each their own especially when there is so many side by side. Sad real sadhttp://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...psnt1kilki.jpg

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...pspwav1pjr.jpg

NO!!!!! Someone stop them!

^^^That's just something we will never understand.

And +1 for being able to work on the engines in a staggered setup. Dropped a wrench in the bilge, near impossible to get it out without a magnet. Forget reaching down there to clean, etc.

Well, that's just plain stupid. Hmmm. Nut Kicker

I like the idea of modifying and customizing boats. I certainly love reading about yall doing them. But what I've observed is that if you like boating, by another boat to use while your project is laid up for years. Expect it to be worth much less. Sounds like you should shop for an Apache.

^ that sucks balls ^ wtf!

Very sad that this was on it's good days.

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...pstyghdp2v.jpg

These are 6a drives, not arnestons, so there is no rooster tail:)


https://youtu.be/hcYDT-JZilQ

I could not say that side by side is more or less difficult to work on than Staggered, each has easier or more difficult situations.

The port engine is forward, so the starboard side of it is easy to work on. The other side is very close to the saddle tanks, so that side is a bear. The rear engine is tough on both sides, the shotgun style tail pipe configuration takes up a lot of room getting to the transom. Plus the driveline is over there along with the batteries. MRP is a master at crawling, slipping, around an between the tailpipes to get to valves, strainers, bilge pumps, etc. and to clean. He keeps it immaculate.

So now we say "One of the Four" ? That's a shame about Fat Boy.:(

:)