GLADIATOR or TOP GUN ?
 

I 'am looking to buy a new Top Gun or Gladiator.With 525's and ITS,But coming out of a Tiger with 750's and 3a's I'am wondering which boat is better for ride and comfort in all boating conditions ? I don't care about cabin or storage,It will be for Poker Run Fun. But with out all the cost of a big powered boat,turn key run for ever,thats the way!! feed back!!!

Read the thread where Jeffrey compares his gladiator to is old TS race boat. Good information on that thread.

I did compare my 2000 38 Top Gun TS to my new 2002 Gladiator under the topic "Gladiator and 575's."

To give you a brief recap ... the two boats have only one real thing in common. They both are light in weight and are extremely well-balanced. They "fly" perfectly. Other than that ... they are two completely different boats.

The most obvious difference is the "stand up" versus "sit down" approach to boating. For those of you who have never actually rode in one of the sit down offshore powerboats have no idea of what it is like. Your perception of sitting down and the effect it will have on your back in the event of a hard landing is incorrect. One would normally assume that it would be rough on your back and uncomfortable without your legs and knees to absorb shock.

When you are sitting with your legs outstretched your weight is distributed over a larger surface area. Couple that fact with an excellent seat design and you have the makings for a ride that is extremely comfortable and secure. Today was a good example. I took a female friend out who is notoriously a "nervous boater." She is the one that screams at 50 and panics at 60. She had been in my Top Gun before and anything above 65 or 70 would throw her into a panic attack. Needless to say I was apprehensive about her riding in the Gladiator.

After about 10 minutes of cruising she decided that she felt so safe and comfortable sitting down that she told me it was okay to run faster. 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80+ and she was screaming for more! Unbelievable! She told me that she loved the boat and that she felt so secure sitting down and loved every moment of it. This is coming from a very objective point of view considering the fact that she is NOT a seasoned boater and can only draw a comparison based on her feeling of safety.

This is not to say that there is anything wrong with the Top Gun. My twin step was a ton of fun! I loved every moment of operating it. The two boats are simply different. The cockpit is tight in the Gladiator and you need to get used to throttling with your left hand and climbing over the seats. But what it lacks in ergonomics it makes up in design. The dash is awesome, the lines are "Ferrari-like" and the compliments abound! It's all give and take and comes down to personal preference.

If you need a cabin, want cockpit space, or feel better standing up ... buy a Top Gun. If you like the awesome design, no rub rail, "airplane-like" dash, and want to try something new .... buy the Gladiator. They both perform incredibly. Either one will bring you an incredible amount of joy!

Feel free to ask any questions you may have on either boat!

Jeffrey

When can I go?

Always nice to ear...

Jeffrey,Thanks for the info.Boating in Ocean City,Md. the water gets a little rough 2-4ft. all day,every day.How does the Gladiator do?

guess who dude ???

Give Brett a call at Offshore Performance 410/825/7853. I just bought a boat from them and they had a new gladiator and TS Top Gun in the showroom. You could swing by and compare the difference side by side.

I know who Rob. :D

It handles the rough stuff extremely well. Again ... you would expect to experience trauma to your back when landing hard. It just doesn't happen. If anyone would know Tres Martin would be an excellent person to ask. He raced the Virgin Gladiator in some nasty water.

top gun... you can always take more passengers if nessecary.. if not needed then a gladiator is great... what do you need?

I think the Gladiator is the choice.Thanks for everybody's thoughts in this matter,it did help.

Also ... check the two side by side in the water ... very little diff. in length over all !?!?!?!??

JM

Seven inches to be exact. Top Gun is 37'6". Gladiator is 36'11".

If you want i will have the 2002 Gladiator in Cambridge MD on 9/28 for the boat races.
Mine is the Team Virgin F-2 National & World Champion boat for APBA 2001.
Boat is mint and has every option and custom built accessory oni it. down to the $35,000 custom Dave Hunter paint job.
Boat is for sale so call me before you buy a 2003 and you will save over $100,000.
Also comes with a triple axle 6 tool box custom trailer.
Boat is a piece of history but i have a new son and a new lambo being delivered in a couple of weeks so i am willing to sacrifice since i also have other race boats.
Let me know!
Dave
732-803-1121
:D :D :D

Dave - Price you are asking? If you prefer not to disclose it publicly send me a PM. Thanks.

The Gladiator and the Top Gun come from the same hull mold. the Gladiator deck is cut down 6-8 inches therefore making the transom and the point at the bow closer which makes for the 36 instead of 38 measurement. The running surface of the boat in the water is the same. They both fit on the same trailer. The Gladiator is a sports car, the Top Gun is a sport SUV. If you purchase I highly recommend the ITS option. Also keep in mind that the staggered configuration and the shorter cockpit look nice but makes it a lot harder around the dock if your boat is full of non-boaters that are not rushing for the stern line. That means the driver is leaving the drivers seat to go to the stern (tripping over the passengers feet), after all it has no rub rail... The ride in 3-5 is fine, larger that 6's and I am staying home anyway. I did the crossing to the Bahamas in mine in 10-12's running on top at 55, that is where she likes to ride, on top, especially in the rough. I bought mine because it looked like a piece of artwork. If you ask any professional racer that has done it all they will tell you they prefer to sit down. If your looking for a family boat then the Top Gun is the answer, if your looking for a good bachelor guy boat, then the Gladiator. If your a poodle, either would suffice. :D

Hmmmm..how many Poodles do we know?

I spent Saturday in a Gladiator (it was the one painted for the Miami Boat Show) and all I can say is "wow" !!!
The 525's were pushing a pair of 34's to a top speed of around 93 and it ate up any rough water we ran into.
Sitting down takes a little getting used to but you adapt rather quickly.
No question...its not a family boat but it is an awesome ride.

Emperor Poodle - DMAN
King Poodle - Jeffrey
Queen Poodle - Phantom Chaos

On second thought that doesn't sound so good. Don't want someone to accuse the King and Queen poodles of getting together or something ... :D:D

Jeffrey,
I will let my Galdiator go for about 185000.
And mine is a piece of history. Hull #2 and custom built by Tres.
Who could ask for anything more.
Just did the SBI race in NYC and finished 1st for all of P class.
Rough waters of NYC made it so we were in an element of our own.
If anyone interested in purchasing it will be in CAmbridge Maryland on 9/27-9/28 for the OPA Race
Let me Know!!!!

David
732-803-1121

In the Gladiator with 525's-How much room do you lose with a staggered set-up or go side by side for comfort ?

Rob - All the newer Gladiators (late '02 +) have the "staggered" setup hull. This means a significantly reduced cockpit area. Even though some '02's have side by side motors - the engine room is still configured for staggered motors. The earlier Gladiators like the OSO Gladiator ('01) have quite a bit more cockpit room. Not sure if Cigarette would build one like the '01 with side by sides in a new ('04) boat. Maybe one of the dealers ordered one that way. The difference between the two configurations is significant. If you're tall (6'2+) the Gladiator may prove to be "confining" for you. It seems to set up for smaller framed guys (under 6').

Yes...........I guess I am a "poodle" riding in the back seat of a DEATH TRAP running out the Miami cut with a single screw secured hand-rail and couple of friggin nutcases in control!!!!!! I was ready to jump out of the friggin boat if I didn't fall out!!!!!!!! :D :D :eek: :eek: :D

Some people have no sense of adventure. Others have no common sense and buy boats with tv, vcrs, refrigerators, and a/c and then complain when it all falls apart. And still ... others scream like a baby in water bigger than a 2' chop :D

Sounds like the same person to me :D

Hey ... you're right. It has CHAOS written all over it!! :D

Jeffrey,

What was that comment about some people having no common sense and buying boats with tv's, vcr's, refrigerators, and a/c? Remember the 382 Poker Run Special Formula you sold to some guy from Ohio? You BAD BOY!

I had to give you a hard time about this one!

Seriously, the 382 is an awesome ride. Running 83-84 mph with the baby Sterlings and unlabbed 28 Bravo's (already did a "cool" 69 in the cabin sitting at the dock with the A/C running, too).

Be careful what you say behind closed doors in the Cig forum ... I'll be checking up on you now and then!

Ha ha ... busted! I always comment about Formulas because my two closest buddies in SCOPE have 382's and I am ALWAYS busting their chops!! One of them is PhantomChaos (Nort) and I am relentless with him when it comes to his 382! Glad you are enjoying the boat!

Jeffrey,

Always enjoy a little harrassment and good humor from the cigarette guys. I have to admit that the TV/VCR was recently "lost at sea". You won't hear me complaining about it, though. I guess I'll have to check with Formula tech on better ways to secure the replacement.

My only complaint is about the three boats passing me on LEOPA's recent fall poker run:

- a Lipship 42 Tiger with Zul 900's
- a Lipship 38 TS Top Gun with Zul 700's
- a Lipship Gladiator with something(?)

I guess I shouldn't have been down below mixing up a new blender full of rita's for the crew!

In case you guys on the West Coast didn't hear about it, Phil L. brought a 42 Tiger and a 38 Gun to LEOPA's summer poker run, won the top hand, and donated the purse ($2,500) to the charity (Special Olympics of Michigan).

He and the boats he builds are definately a CLASS ACT!