28ss or bullet
 

I am totally new to the offshore world as far as owning a boat. Have a cottage on Lake Michigan and have driven a 38 top gun once. Thats about it. Anyways I am looking at older 28ss and bullets. Can you give a newbie any insight as far as what to expct with each?? Most of the boating will be on Lake Michigan but we want to trailer to a few inland lakes up north like torch, mullet, higgins, ect. We may even throw a tube out and let the kids ride on that once in a while???? what woud be a better choice 28ss or bullet. Both boats are fully rerigged and ready to go. What do you think???

Tough comparison.

They are very different in their characteristics. One thing they have in common is strength. Either will take the rough stuff with ease.

I think you will be happy with either. There are tons of updated Bullets out there for the taking. You have to look a little harder to find a 28ss that has been properly updated.

What are the diffrences in characteristics as that is what I am most interested in. Thanks,

The Bullet was built years after the 28 was discontinued, so it's a little more modern.

The Bullet is taller and heavier than the 28. In rougher water this can come in handy on a straight bottom.

The Bullet is going to have more cabin features than the 28. The 28's weren't designed for a real "pleasure" config. They have a place to lay down and thats about it. They were meant to run.

I still feel that the two cannot be compared fairly. Also, the Bullet was quite different than most of Cigarettes' core designs.

One big differance is average cost to purchase! 28's are $15,000 to $35,000, some higher , some lower. Tack another 30k on those numbers and your in the bullets neighborhood.

A lot depends on what you can tolerate. If you want to spend time with the wife and kids look for a bullet that has had new power and new guages. Try to find a cig that has had the work already done. It is real easy to get upside down in a boat that needs work. One thing you will find on the bullet or the 28ss is the resale value is excellent.

First thing is how much do you want to spend? Second is what do you want to do with it. If your looking for a day boat then the 28 is great. However, If your looking for something to spend more time on and stay over weekends on then the bullet is your choice. Both are great boats and I would love to own either one.

very good advice above.

the bullet will give you a better ride in rough water and keep you and your passengers drier. It has more freeboard and more cabin space. the engine comparment is more accessable than the 28 regardless of power options. the resale on the bullet will also be better.

the downside(if there really is one :) ) is that you will pay more for the bullet and although it is trailerable, the 28 is just a tad bit easier to move around.

both are great choices and the bottom line probably will be how much you want to spend and what amenites you are looking for.

good luck with yous search!

Right now I have my eyes on the 1990 bullet for $70K in the classifieds. It has been updated and "sounds" like it was done right. I have yet to take a look at it. Does $70K seem like a decent price???

I havent looked at any boats but the wife and I are compiling a shopping list.

Theres also a 1985 cafe with blown 454's, Speedmaster #3's for $49K.

Both of these boats are within a few hours so I will have to check them out.

Without knowing the condition, what do you guys think??

Were cafes made in 1985?

clc900,

Better Check this.

1990 Bullet infomation here

Thought '85 would still be a Flat-Deck :confused:

I posted this in another tread here is all the years and models Manufactured from NADA:

No quantities but Models and year,
This is the compilation of Models according to NADA so any discrepencies email them!!!!


1971
CIGARETTE 24 - 24'
CIGARETTE 36/OS - 36'

1972
CIGARETTE 19 - 19'
CIGARETTE 24 - 23'
CIGARETTE 36/OS - 36'

1973
CIGARETTE - 20'
CIGARETTE - 24'
CIGARETTE 36/OS - 36'

1974
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
28 SS - 28' 28/OS - 28'
35 AWESOME/OS - 35'

1975
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
28 SS - 28' 28/OS - 28'
35 AWESOME/OS - 35'

1976
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
28 SS - 28'
28/OS - 28'
35 AWESOME/OS - 35'

1977
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
28 SS - 28'
28/OS - 28'
35 AWESOME/OS - 35'
35 MISTRESS/OS - 35'

1978
20 - 20'
28 SS - 28'
28/OS - 28'
35 AWESOME/OS - 35'
35 MISTRESS/OS - 35'

1979
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
26/OS - 26'
26/OS - 26'
28 OPEN - 28'
28 SS - 28'
35 AWESOME/OS - 35'
35 AWESOME/OS - 35'
35 MISTRESS/OS - 35'
35 MISTRESS/OS - 35'
36/OS - 36'
36/OS - 36'
39/OS - 39'
SQUADRON X11 33/OS - 33'

1980
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
27/OS - 27'
28/OS - 28'
35/OS - 35'
36/OS - 36'
39/OS - 39'
41/OS - 41'
41/OS - 41'
SQUADRON 33/OS - 33'
SQUADRON XII/OS - 39'

1981
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
28/OS - 28'
35/OS - 35'
36/OS - 36'
41/OS - 41'
SQUADRON X11 27/OS - 27'
SQUADRON XII 24 - 24'
SQUADRON XII/OS - 39'

1982
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
24 SQUADRON XII - 24'
28/OS - 28'
35/OS - 35'
36/OS - 36'
ATTACK 41/OS - 41'
SQUADRON XII 27 - 27'
SQUADRON XII/OS - 39'
SQUADRON XII/OS - 39'
SQUADRON XII/OS - 39'

1983
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
27/OS - 27'
28/OS - 28'
35L/OS - 35'
35S/OS - 35'
36/OS - 36'
38L/OS - 38'
38S/OS - 38'
41/OS - 41'
43F/OS - 43'
SE/OS - 38'

1984
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
28/OS - 28'
35L/OS - 35'
35S/OS - 35'
36S/OS - 36'
38S/OS - 38'
41/OS - 41'
43S/OS - 43'

1985
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
28/OS - 28'
35L/OS - 35'
35S/OS - 35'
36/OS - 36'
36/OS - 36'
38 EXP/OS - 38'
38S/OS - 38'
41/OS - 41'
LTD/OS - 38'

1986
20 - 20'
24 - 24'
28/OS - 28'
35L/OS - 35'
35S/OS - 35'
38/OS - 38'
38S/OS - 38'
41/OS - 41'
42/OS - 42'
CAFE RCR 35/OS - 35'
SE/OS - 38'

1987
21 - 21'
24 - 24'
31 TRI RIG/OS - 31'
31 TWN RIG/OS - 31'
35S/OS - 35'
38/OS - 38'
41/OS - 41'
CAFE RCR 35/OS - 35'
SE 38/OS - 38'

1988
21(*) - 21'
35/OS - 35'
41/OS - 41'
BULLET 31/OS - 31'
CAFE RCR 35/OS - 35'
CLASSIC 35/OS - 35'
DECATH 31/OS - 31'
DECATH 31/OS - 31'
FIREFOX 24 - 24'
TOP GUN 38/OS - 38'

1989
BULLET 31/OS - 31'
CAFE RCR 35/OS - 35'
L 38/OS - 38'
TOP GUN 38/OS - 38'

1990-1992
BULLET 31/OS - 31'
CAFE RCR 35/OS - 35'
REV 188/OS - 42'
TOP GUN 38/OS - 38'

1993-1996
BULLET 31/OS - 31'
CAFE RCR 35/OS - 35'
REV 188 42/OS - 42'
ROUGH RDR 46/OS - 46'
TOP GUN 38/OS - 38'

1997-1998
BULLET 31/OS - 31'
CAFE RCR 35/OS - 35'
REV 42/OS - 42'
ROUGH RDR 46/OS - 46'
TIGER 42/OS - 42'
TOP GUN 38/OS - 38'

1999
20/OS - 20'
AVENTURA/MY - 50'
BULLET 31/OS - 31'
CAFE 33 OPEN/OS - 33'
CAFE RCR 35/OS - 35'
REV 42 188 STAG/OS - 42'
REV 42 188/OS - 42'
ROUGH RDR 46 STAG/OS - 46'
ROUGH RDR 46/OS - 46'
TIGER 42 STAG/OS - 42'
TIGER 42/OS - 42'
TOP GUN 38 STAG/OS - 38'
TOP GUN 38/OS - 38'

2000
MYSTIQUE/OS - 31'
PLAYBOY/OS - 35'
SKATER/OS - 46'
SKATER/OS - 46'
SON OF A GUN/OS - 20'
TIGER 2000/OS - 42'
TOP GUN 2000 TS/OS - 38'
TOP GUN 2000/OS - 38'

2001
MYSTIQUE/OS - 30'
PLAYBOY TS/OS - 35'
ROUGH RDR 46 STAG/OS - 46'
ROUGH RDR 46/OS - 46'
SON OF A GUN/OS - 20'
TIGER 42 TS/OS - 42'
TOP GUN 38 TS/OS - 38'

2002
GLADIATOR/OS - 36'
MYSTIQUE/OS - 30'
PLAYBOY TS/OS - 35'
ROUGH RDR 46 STAG/OS - 46'
ROUGH RDR 46/OS - 46'
SON OF A GUN/OS - 20'
TIGER 42 TS/OS - 42'
TOP GUN 38 TS/OS - 38'

The Bullet has a 8'6" beam.

Since you are new to offshore and may not have a truck yet : The Bullet weights 8,600, so with another 1,000-1,200 pounds on a trailer you will have to have a minimum of a 2500 series truck with a V-10 or diesel to tow it safely/properly. The new V8 1500 series Dodges and Ford's can pull around 9,900 pounds when properly equipped, but thats too borderline.

It depends on what you want to do,if you want a boat for just couple hours with the wife and kids goe with the 28ss but if you want to spend alot of time on the water go with the bullet but then you gotta spend a lot
more which i think its worth it .

85 flatdeck
 

I went and checked out the 1985 cig. Yes it is a flatdeck and not a cafe. Blown 454 that have been overbored, aluminum heads, msd ignition, B&M blowers with an estimated 650HP. Motors have low hours, about 1.5 summers here in Michigan. Speedmaster#3 drives top speed is 80MPH. The speedmasters really help top speed verses the TRS's. The interior has newer vinyl about 3-4 years old. Comes with trailer. there are some updates and touch ups that could be done if I wanted to get picky but are not necessary if I just want to unload it and run it as is.

My question is are these older cigs a desirable boat??? what should I expect to pay for a decent boat with great power that is this old?? The owner says he will take $45K. Geez I started out looking at 28's then bullets, now I realy like this older flatdeck. Do these old boats hold there value well??? The boat looks just like the one Too Old had a few years back. Red, white and black checkers with a big red and black stripe on both sides.

In general, it does take longer to (re)sell the older stuff.

CLC900,
I have had the same questions about used Cig's.
Currently have a 20' Cig. that's an '82. Still solid as a rock and has been a good hull.
Think I've seen the add for the boat you're speaking of.
Seemed like a clean install (form the photo's :rolleyes: )
and the fact that it had the SSM #3's seemed like a bonus (3's or 3a's?).
But the near 50K price for a near 20 year old boat had me wondering too.

Dang....why couldn't I have been born rich instead of increadibly good looking :D

Kind of off topic, but does anyone have side pics of the 28ss bullet? Ive never seen it before and would like to...

A Bullet is a 31.

The 28ss is a 28ss.

28ss

The SS in 28SS is Super Slik, Blake.

This is a 31 Bullet, (Craig223)

LS JR.