Wasn't that boat in either Hotboat or Powerboat as a test boat for the 36 about a year and a half ago?

So, you really need to give a detailed comparrison between the 38 and the 36, at least I would like to hear it.

Gary (Cigarette1) found the original line drawing for the boat. Thanks for sending that to me Cig1! I think I am going to blow it up and hang it on my wall

I remeber now it was boattest online that used it.

Here's the Pic but it won't let me link to the video of the test

VB -

Not sure if this boat was used in the test or not. I might have to look through my archives and see.

As for a detailed comparison between the Gladiator and my previous twin step F-2 Top Gun - here is what I can tell you so far:

My initial reaction is that SpeedRacer (the F-2) boat was more fun to drive than the Gladiator is. Whether that is because of the horsepower difference or the fact that I am sitting down versus standing up has yet to be determined.

SpeedRacer was in a class by itself when it came to pure rush and exhiliration. It was akin to driving a powerful go kart. You literally became one with the boat and could really feel what it was doing. Going out in six footers and launching the boat was effortless due to its perfect center of gravity and balance. It flew and landed perfectly every time. It was simply a blast to drive.

The Gladiator - though not quite as much fun (yet) to drive - seems to be a better hull at the high end. SpeedRacer - due to its first generation twin steps and light layup - was infinately more challenging at 90mph and above. The steps are very dramatic on the boat which made it prone to chine walking at the top end.

The Gladiator steps (and hull) are exactly the same as a 2002 Top Gun twin step. The 2000 hull was revised in 2001 and again (slightly) in 2002. I can tell - at 86mph - that the Gladiator hull would be more stable at 90+mph. The proof is in the pudding in the recent Powerboat Magazine article where a new twin step Top Gun with 700+HP ran 105.6. You would want to have a parachute strapped to your back if you were to run SpeedRacer at 105mph! Sorry Chad!

Just a little known fact - the Top Gun measures 37'6" in length. The Gladiator measures 36'11" - only a seven inch difference. The hulls are identical. The seven inch loss is due to the significantly lower freeboard. If you lower the freeboard four inches at the nose (and all the way back) you lose seven inches in length.

All in all - I think that the "fun factor" with the Gladiator will defiantely improve. Once I become accustomed to throttling with my left hand and really get used to sitting down - I will probably be more comfortable in the boat. Add another 200HP per side - twin 700HP normally aspirated motors - and the boat will really liven up. I have a feeling that the fun factor will increase exponentially and then it will be very close to the rush I always felt from driving SpeedRacer.

Feel free to ask any other questions!

Very informative Jeffrey.........Thanks
Sweeeeeeet Ride !!!

Thanks Jeffrey, I found that very informative and what this site is really about!

Jeffrey,

Could you also give a comparison of the visability for the driving postions in the two boats. In the sitdown position is it difficult to see traffic at a moderate speed like 50mph?

Jeffery,

Nice Boat and a very beautiful Lady

No visibility problems once the boat is on plane. No real visibility problems to speak of at all. I am only 5'9" and the only time I have to lift my a** off the seat is when I am idling through the harbor and want to be sure I am not about to run over someone on a kayak or something.

A couple of other interesting observations ...

LIKES

I like the small lexan windscreen. It works extremely well at speed and visibility through it is perfect. I like the seats - very comfortable and they work well to cushion hard landings. I like the cnosle layout - gauges, etc. Very trick looking! I like the "no rub rail" look. It has a very "clean" look.

DISLIKES

I don't like the access to the forward berth. Although there is nothing up there access is through the hatch on the deck only. I wish they would have designed some kind of access from the cockpit area.

I don't like the confined cockpit area. The earlier Gladiators (like the OSO Gladiator) were all set up with "side by side" motors. The rear bench seat was about 18" farther back than the newer staggered hulls. The OSO setup offered more space in the cockpit area.

Although my boat is set up with side by side motors - the hull is the same design as the late 2002 and 2003 staggered motor hulls. The cockpit area is significantly reduced whereby the actual floor area in front of the rear bench seat and behind the two front seats measures less than two feet from front to back. Two people would be the most you would want in the back at any time.

Can't think of any additional interesting obeservations at the moment. Keep asking away and I will do my best to answer the questions.