Its pretty crazy what they are asking(Getting)??. Guess I should take out my 750Hp and drop in some 525s and ask $2Hundie lol

And sorry- I missed your sarcasm:ernaehrung004:

Between the Bridges Marina for question #7

For a first boat you're picking a handful and the 1500/half ton pickup question tells me you've never towed anything of any consequence. I have a F150 currently and it's pretty much incapable of anything, if I get a gallon of milk with the groceries my front wheels pop off the ground. My wife thinks it's a ***** truck and she's ready to trade me in for a more rugged model. I pulled into the gas station the other day and this old lady asked how I liked my Smart Car. I ran over a squirrel the other day and it's in the shop for a new suspension. Jokes aside trailering a 38 is a whole 'nother aspect of boating that takes just as much research into vehicles, routes, storage, trailer maintenance up upkeep, et al.

And while some of the comments seem snarky they're rooting in real life happenings of owning a newer boat let alone a model with some years on it. Just a serious question, have you ever owned ANY boat? If not maybe something more manageable would be a better first time purchase, and trust me, newer, more updated, better, reliable will give you PLENTY of issues to learn from. Boats are a giant PitA and if you're not passionate and obsessed like most of us here you'll be in for a long ride. I'm not here to crush your dream as most of us have been dreaming of these beautiful crafts forever, just some things to consider.

If you're all in then welcome, you'll get plenty of support here and good luck. Maybe I'll see you bombing around the Sound some year, it's a great body of water and the east end of CT, Long Island, Block Island, Nantucket, Martha's, Newport, is some of the best boating in the country.

Hi All - is any one on this thread familiar with the 38 Top Gun for sale at Marine Max in West Brook CT (this site wont allow me to post a link). The boat has newer 500s EFI engines, outdrives are old and will need to be replaced. Hull is in good shape no cracking and only a few minor bruises. Interior is reasonably good although the cabin door is not moving, and a few of the cushions need to be replaced. I was told a couple of gauges do not work which concerns me, although I have a family member in the marine electronics business and I think he would help. I am calling over to Ocean Performance today to se if they know the boat and I am doing a sea trail this weekend. I can buy the boat for way less than asking so that leaves room for repairs without getting really buried financially - LOL i think. I have seen a 2019 survey and there is no water issues , but i would have resurveyed before any purchase.

this one, looks like a pretty big gouge at the left side bow stop

https://www.marinemax.com/boats-for-...tbrook/7517164

That’s a clean boat. Even at the asking price.

Remember its a 20 year old boat, but it was in the water a few weeks ago saw it cursing by. As for rack storage I know of a two places Between the Bridges and Port Niantic, I think some marines also offer it outside as well.
And I would not tow with a 1500 remember Towing is easy its the Stopping thatch important.

:lolhit:You may take a bow. Post of the year regarding half ton trucks.

Thanks for the advice. I grew up around boats as has my wife. Me on the Long Island Sound her on Candlewood Lake. So we both have an idea of the various issues. The boat I inquired about can be bought at a very significant discount from the asking. My thought is that at the price I can purchase the boat for it leaves a whole lot of money for fix up including new out drives, paint, gauges etc. My hop would be to a little at a time, but my expectation is that anything can break at anytime. But more to your point, the reason I posted was for the input and to see if any one has any experience or knowledge with this particular boat.

The plan is to leave it on the eastern end of CT so I am close to Block Island, Newport, Montauk etc. Thats about an hours drive from my house but the boatng is way better at that end of the state.

What did Ocean have to saw out it, with that power and no steps its around a 70mph boat if the motors are on point

Calling over to Ocean today, to see what if anything they know about the boat. It was supposedly kept in the area.

That boat was for sale a few years ago outta NJ for 89k maybe. I did a little digging on it, talked to marine max a few times and figured with all the unknowns that it wasnt a place I wanted to go. No drive Maintenance history, close to top end hours, no motor history. Could you buy it for 60k, yup, probably.

Gotta be honest...late model flat bottom top guns are a tough sell given most owners want 90-110k for them when someone can pickup an early-mid model for 25-40k less for arguably the same boat.

The last straight bottoms like above will have 500efis, which last longer than 525s. Not gonna be a speed demon though. What do they run? 70mph?

Yeah low 70s with 500EFIs from what I have seen

70 is generous lol

I think 70s is generous mid yo upper 60s

i think 60 is probably the number drives are old no doubt and will need to be replaced / rebuilt. The motors are allegedly a few years old. It fairly clean. And for 60kish is could be worth a few of the headaches. The question is whether I should spend a more $ and buy something with more of a history in terms of rebuilds etc, or a step bottom. Thoughts?

really depends on what you are looking for...it certainly doesn’t make sense to buy a flat bottom boat with limited history, knowing you will have to dump a ton of money into it.

in my opinion, 60k is not a good price for a flat bottom that needs work. I’d say 40-50k is a good price...but you won’t find that in a 2000 model year.

if you were to choose a TS get ready to spend double the numbers previously mentioned. Doesn’t seem like a clean one goes for much less than 120-140 no matter what the year. Even then they have issues.

it seems like you are on the lower end of the dollar range...if that’s the case I’d find a clean flat bottom with history and spend the 60-65k.

otherwise find a fixer upper down near 40-50...it gives you room to spend (15-25k)

I looked at the 2000 TG. If someone is interested pm me and I can tell you what it can be bought for.

I sent you a DM

So did you go look at in person I saw it back on the trailer behind he showroom this weekend?

I did - I took a look a couple of weekends ago. They want $60k - I agree with whoever said that even $60k may be steep. It is fairly clean, but needs a bunch of stuff. The first thing is drives! Engines are "allegedly" only a couple of years old. 500 Mercruiser EFIs. But even though the bones are pretty good its need work. I am thinking its worth $50k. That leaves $25k to $30k to make repairs. Meaning total of around $80k in the boat. Of course, that 25k to 30k is a mechanical allowance. Then there is the pain - ugly, and the cabin space needs some upgrading etc. What is a really nice 38 TG non-stepped bottom worth? $100,000.00?

I took a look a week or so ago. I have a few calls out to people to see if anyone is familiar with the boat. Like I have said they are looking for $60k for it, but I think $50k is probably more of a number that makes sense. The boat does have reasonably good bones with the exception of the outdrives which are old and even visually show lots of wear. The engines are allegedly only a couple of years out from being rebuilt - but who knows (they appear vey clean other than the air filters) . The hull is not bad, a few small gel coat blemishes and there is no question it spent some time in the water - it is not bottom painted (obviously) and there are some barnacles although most have been cleared away and the hull is in good shape. At $50k I figure I can put rebuilt outdrives on, fix the miscellaneous problems do some clean up work and not have overspent. Of course the paint is dated and its needs some interior cabin upgrades... I'll ask the obvious what is a really nice non-stepped TG worth. It may be better to just find one that someone has already done the work too.

I actually like the older one better, pics make it look like it’s ready to rock

for a 20 year old boat its actually fairly clean. Not perfect but pretty clean. The dealer offered to do a sea trial - put it in the water and spend a couple of hours out riding around with us so we know its operational. However, I do know it will need some work and I do get worried it will turn into a money pit - hence if I can buy it sub-$60k that leaves money to rebuild/repalce the outdrives, refresh the engines and perhaps repaint it and still not hit a mark where I have more in the boat then it is worth. Thoughts?

Just some advise -

if your budget to dump into an older boat is X amount of dollars, double it.

There’s only a limited handful of ANY straight bottom guns worth near or slightly over 100k.

the market is crazy right now .

A really nice non-step TG isn’t worth 100k...don’t care what’s been done to it.

even #6 non-step TG’s are going for less. Sub 90k. These boat are a labor of love. Don’t expect to make back what you spend on it.

if the boat in question needs new drives expect 6-7k per drive for full rebuilds. Or 9-12k each for new ones.

I actually agree. I’ve said numerous times there’s no straight bottom gun worth 100k. But then you have the old key’d up 90mph stagger boat that I think is worth 100k. That thing is amazing. But nothing else really comes to mind.

I spoke with Chris at Ocean Performance yesterday about the TG posted in this thread (2000 straight bottom at Marine Max). He made a number of suggestions and was knowledgeable and helpful. At this point I am thinking that I am going to turn my attention to looking at twin step models, and letting go of the idea of doing more of a project on a straight bottom. My plan will be to look for something with EFIs and some service history documentation which tells the story of the boat.

Ive been thinking of selling...........:champs:

As already stated, I dont think a straight hull gun is worth 100k, except maybe that 90mph edition in the classifieds. I would think a super clean straight hull that needs nothing, 2000 model year, with the newer style interior, would bring in somewhere in the 80's, maybe even low 90's. I would agree on your thoughts, to move on and wait for something that is clean and needs nothing. If venturing into the TS market, it looks like the 575 powered TS guns, are more reasonably priced than the 525 boats too. Good luck with your search either way.

Does anyone know anything about the 1995 Straight Bottom that is listed for sale in the offshoreonly classifieds. https://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...un-o78771.html The paint job is super dated, but it seems clean, and has rebuilt motors with only 20 hours and the drives were just serviced. The $95k is steep even with the rebuilds - anyone know the boat? The other interesting option could be the boat offered by Sun Coast in Sarasota. https://www.boats.com/power-boats/20...p-gun-7472170/ They are looking for 127k and the boat looks clean; but the 575sci's have 320 hours on them so rebuilds are necessary it would seem.

i think the first boat is cool. I actually like the paint...no worse than the second boat. 95k is crazy expensive for a flat bottom tho. given the second one needs work 127k is not a deal either. I’d keep looking.

LOL I think the paint on the straight bottom is so bad and 90s that it could be fun! If the boat was in the $75 to $80 neighborhood it would be a consideration but at 95 its no go. The other at 127k with rebuilds on the horizon starts to get up there money wise .

If your interested in that twin step I would talk to Chris at Ocean Performance. I believe he did work on the motors and would be able to provide information.

Will do I spoke with him a month or so ago he mentioned it - it was just reduced so Ill call him again and get the scoop.

VortechSS owned the 95 before the current owner, might check with him.

Will do which one - ?

Which one - The T/S?

VortechSS owned the 95 straight bottom.

Carter has a pretty nice straight bottom he is selling. Below- and I will make ya a Deal on the 650 lol
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...11591d3283.jpg