Newbie Wants to Understand A Few Things!
 

OK, so for several years I have been toying with the idea of purchasing a 38 Top Gun. While I grew up around boating this would actually be the first boat that I have owned. Before I buy anything I am hoping people on the forum can help me understand costs, etc. Ideally my budget would be around $100k so I know I will be looking at boats that are not perfect and will need some work. I am not look for a boat that is the fastest, more in the line of something I can twist the key and just go - so basically a single carb set up maybe quads. I have heard that "built motors (blower/supercharged) these days do not require the type of tinkering I used to have in my "hot rod". But being new to this I am looking for something within my performance capability which right now is zero - so something with 525s or something in that range. If I didnt ask a question that I should have... Please feel free to raise the issue. Thanks!


1. How many hours do performance engines (blower and non-blower) typically last before they need a rebuild or replacement (I know there are many variables in answering this question).

2. How many hours for drives before they need a rebuild / replacement?

3. Is there an engine or drive package that should be avoided?

4. Would a survey be able to detect any issues with rot in the transom or stringers?

5. I have seen a few TGs locally that are priced well below the $75K mark, they need updating etc, does it pay to buy something cheaper if the engines are good and maybe have it painted and updated?

6. What are potentially problematic areas to look for before buying?

7. Can a TG be towed with a standard 1500 series pickup or is a 2500 required?

8. I live in Connecticut and would use the boat here during the summer and perhaps bring to FL in the winter - is anyone aware of place with rack storage in Eastern CT where it could be kept and cost?

9. Insurance costs? Any input would be helpful.


Thanks!

Lets start with #7. 1500,,,,, Hell no ! You are in 3500 territory especially considering you are talking about long road trips. I used to pull a 36 Outlaw with a 2500, it "did it " and I thought it was fine until I bought a 3500 Dually.

A 525 EFI / Bravo is a great reliable package, especially for your first boat. They did have some CMI header issues depending on the years you are looking at. More than likely they have been addressed and replaced by now. They do require valve spring replacement every 250 hours or so.

You should probably read this also. Gives you a current status on insurance....

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...nce-blows.html

1st post in 7 years and ya wanna buy a Gun, to many variables to answer your questions accurately beside #7.............Id look for a flat deck with 500 EFI's and bravo drives or #3's

Good luck

Before spending one penny on a boat sign up and take Tres Martins boat class. after that then you can ask questions.

comments above

Maybe look for a smaller boat for the first year too get a little time under your belt,get that dock rash out way.

Ocean performance doesn’t rack store at the waterfront. Between the bridges does.

My first boat (other than my parents 17-22’ Boston Whalers growing up) was a Topgun. If you respect it and don’t try to be a show off etc you’ll be ok.

Hours depend on what motors and drivers. And it really depends on how it was run and maintained. My 525s lasted around 475-500 hours. Driver were gone through at around 250-300 hours

Look for a 525 XR boat

a good surveyor will pick up almost everything possible

stay away from big projects. Your budget will be blown in no time

thoroughly check salt water boats

1500 series definitely no

I paid just under $5000 for Insurnace my first year. It went down 50% the following year.

100% best answer ever hahaha

Thanks for the info, and for not being snarky!

The other gents are just speaking from experience. More than a few of us have gotten into these things and went down rabbit holes financially further than we ever dreamed possible when we initially got into it.

I think seaford answered your questions best. Only other thing I would add is make sure you have enough cash in your budget to get the boat running and keep it running. Depending on what you end up with, it can bleed your budget dry with a boat that is constantly stuck in "project mode" This results in not boating.

Look to buy something someone has already fixed up, but make sure they have good records of things or some kind of proof. OR look for a completely stock boat.

Definition of snarky. 1 : crotchety, snappish. 2 : sarcastic, impertinent, or irreverent in tone or manner snarky lyrics.

I would of used Assholish but that just me..........good luck with the search

The old saying, "If you can't say something nice, say nothing at all".

My father modified that to "If you can't say something nice, tell the truth".

Don't take anything here too personally, there's a lot of knowledge on oso, some are subtle with their comments and others are very direct. 🙂 It's all good stuff, we all want to see you enjoy boating.

RR

For sure... The information has been great! I worked in marinas for years and am aware of the financial pitfalls, trying to avoid mistakes and yes..., go boating not spend huge amounts of time doing a "project boat"! Thanks!

I’m in the CT area...our boat can be had for your 100k price tag.

:party-smiley-004:

Honestly man, at 100k you are lucky. Not enough money to buy an entry level (rough shape) Twin Step and get burned, but plenty of money to buy across the flat bottom spectrum. What I mean by that is that you could buy a fixer upper and make it you own or buy a nicely restored TG for 60-80K, sell you 1500 and buy a bigger truck and probably still have dough left over for the unforeseen, or to just personalize whatever boat you buy.....

All of what others have said it true. With that said there is a Top Gun for sale in Illinois (Basa Marine) I seen it today when I stop by to pick up some parts for mine. Below is info from their add. 109,000.00 Probably negotiable. Some of the updates and work done are listed below:

Full custom paint done by Mitcher T over $26,000

Brand new Manning custom trailer over $8,000

Complete interior & cabin upholstery at $55,000

Mercruiser 525s completely rebuilt with all new parts from bottom up Motors were broken in on dyno and have full reports of putting out around 650 horsepower $36,000

that’s not a top gun. It’s a flat deck.

109k!!!!

Must be quite a flat deck!!!!

This is fantastic advise, he’ll have his pick of the available litter. Some of the recently sold strait bottom TGs have been beautiful. I personally think a strait bottom is a solid platform to get some stick time on before electing to move to a TS if thats your goal, not that the smiles will be lacking behind the wheel of an older Gun. Lots to discuss with this scenario but seafords advise is solid.

Yes, you are correct, my mistake, it is also a 1984. It does have a lot done to it. ITS steering, XR drives new transom, etc. But I doubt they will ever get that kind of $. Good example of getting caught up in a resto only to find out you are way in over your head.

I dont know of many that will rack store a 42 in Florida. They may put it on a rack on the ground with no cover. Most marinas around here go up to 35 pretty easily with some stacking a 38 in some situations, but no 42's.

TNT does. Rack store inside covered.

There’s a TS playboy that looks real nice for 85k. A straight bottom 42 for 99 and a TS 42 for 129. I’d be looking at those if I were you.

Check out “Marine Unlimited” on Facebook . There’s a 2000 42 tiger for a very good price.

I want to see what 55K buys in cabin and cockpit interior!!!!! :eek: :eekdrop: I had the best in the business do a 88 TG and it was just a tad over 30K....

Here is some advice for the original poster. It is not the cost of the boat, it's the cost to own, run and maintain it. There are so many things that people don't think of when jumping into a big time offshore powerboat.....and the ones who go in blind (or ignorant) to it end up broke or without a boat. Aside from the cost of the boat... It's gonna cost you 15-25K per year to own a boat like that....and that's excluding blowing **** up (it happens!). Insurance, fuel, storage, tow vehicle, maintenance and maintenance and maintenance. Good luck, do your research and ask questions before you jump in head first!!! ;) :)

Anyone have a link to this boat?

Lottsa coin for a flat deck....

https://www.basasmarine.com/boats-fo...inois-7371446/

650 hp through that intake will never happen with a stock 502 displacment

Nice Resto. As ad states “priced at 109k for IMMEDIATE sale”, evidently someone is going to get a smokin’ deal......

...yeah, the seller! LOL

When I bought my1984 Flat Deck 38 it was 2 years old & half that price.
I guess Cigarettes do appreciate!
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...21fa2f6a68.jpg

They did a nice resto on the interior.
525`s in a Heavy flat deck thou .. that`s gonna be a slow .
Since you can`t finance a boat that old who is putting out a 100K for a 1984 boat ?

Looks interesting!

It's actually a nice piece in pix. Maybe not $109K but redone the right way it seems.

https://www.basasmarine.com/boats-fo...inois-7371446/

As others have stated...100k is a tall order these days for a clean 38’ stepped boat let alone ts cig.

if you are stuck on cigs I’d go with a flat bottom. sounds like you are gonna need a bigger truck which will eat into the budget. it will leave some money left over...

judt my 0.02

[QUOTE=1MOSES1;4749175]As others have stated...100k is a tall order these days for a clean 38’ stepped boat let alone ts cig.

Have you looked at the T/S pricing lately? Maybe a beat on one is close to 100k. then plan on redoing the whole thing for another Hundie lol

[QUOTE=Quinlan;4749196]ayuh...what do you think tall order means? And yes I’ve seen the ridiculous fantasy land asking prices...