Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

2 questions.

My Scarab is for finally for sale and I'm looking at TG's, but getting confused on the cabin layouts. I want a full cabin, preferably like the one in the pict below that has 2 single seats with a table, a small settee, enclosed head and V-berth. What year was the last where this cabin was available?

Also, what year did the Twin Steps begin? I'm assuming Cig doesn't offer both standard and TS hull.

Thanks in advance!

Example:

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

The last year of a "Full Cabin" was 1999. You could only get the cabin you pictured with a straight bottom Top Gun. They started using that cabin standard in early 90s.

The Twin Step hull began in 2000. They make a Covergirl (half cabin) and extended covergirl (3/4 cabin). Both pictured below.

Hope this helps-
LS JR.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

90s cabin & pre 90s cabin.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

I can't even consider any 2000's or above then. That's great info and helps me narrow it down. Thanks.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Ok, if you are going to look at a straight bottom Gun let me give you some more advice. They made different layups. Carbon Fiber (lightest) Kevlar (less light) Fiberglass (heaviest). If you want to go the fastest with the least amount of power go Carbon Fiber or Kevlar.

For example:
1991 Carbon Fiber Top Gun with 525SC=72 MPH
1989 Fiberglass Top Gun with 650HP=70 MPH

Here is one I would check out.

Top Gun

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

my friend has a great top gun for sale CHEAP..1999 full cabin 130k!!!! act now because its probably going to a wholesaler

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

What is your budget and performance objectives? That will tell you a lot of what you are looking for.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Well . . . just like my 34' Scarab, top speed is about 10th on my priority list. I care more about how the boat has been taken care of, the engines need to be basically "1 to 1" (cubic inch to horsepower), ride like a cadillac in rough water and have a full cabin where I won't mind spending the night. My Scarab cabin is about equivalent to the Covergirl layout and not condusive to overnighters here on the bay. It's a great day boat, but that's about it unless you're 4' 11". :D So I guess I don't want a Kevlar layup.

Budget is flexible to a point, it depends on the boat. You can eat off my current engines and see yourself in the reflection, I would expect same in any boat I would consider. Not interested in high HP engines because they're way over my head in terms of maintenance needs. My first set of Mercs in the Scarab lasted 13 seasons without any work other than changing the oil and tuning it up. I drive at 3200-3500 RPM range 90% of the time.

Looking for something no older than a 1998 model.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

dreamer tried sending you a PM, your PM box is full. Would like some information on the Topgun.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

The last year of the full cabin was actually in 2000. The twin-step hull design did begin in 2000, but there are several conventional bottom, full cabin year 2000 top-guns out there as well...
Regards

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

As far as head room on the Top Gun cabin, I dont think you are going to gain much more than that 4' 11" My 2000 Tiger barely has that

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Buy a SeaRay :eureka:

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Sea Ray?!?!? heheh You guys are a riot!! I still can't get the speed thing out of my system and I don't want to grow up just yet. :D This has been a great learning experience looking at all the brands and models, 38' on up. I love Cigs and Scarabs, but I'm also evaluating priorities including the amenities. Sonics have great cabins & are found everywhere here on the Bay, while Black Thunders are Sea Rays on steroids. It's not an easy decision because prices are all over the map too.

Not complaining, this is a good problem to have right?

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

This is my look on the subject. Sorry if I offend anyone that doesn't own a Cigarette.

As "d-hlaw" says, there are people who own Cigarettes and there are people who WANT to own them.

You either want the boat that is totally different and unique than anyone else's or you want to be a plain Jane. (hehe). I understand people look for amenities. But, a straight bottom Cig cabin has: two benches to sleep on (v-berth), full head, table, and two seats to eat. If you are going to be running 3500-4000 RPM, you aren't going to have time to watch TV and cook food. If you have ever been in one, you'll see it is quite roomy.

Going back to where you said you don't want Kevlar. I don't know why you said that, maybe you misinterpreted what Kevlar is. However, if you buy a straight bottom Top Gun (fiberglass) you are going to need at least 600HP to run 70. Just trying to say that they take some power to run.

My $.02

LS JR.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

No offense taken Lucky Strike. :D Cigs are an awesome boat, I've always admired the look and ride. My real delimma is figuring out the top 5 priorities, and I'm leaning towards the full cabin Cigs (pre-2000 year), or others with the amenities at this point. Hi-Perf engines and doing more than 65MPH just isn't important to me anymore.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

If you decide you want a Cig, I would buy a straight bottom, full cabin, mid 90s Gun, with 502s/415HP. Should get you 63-64.

Make the step to a Cig...You'll never look back. ;)

LS JR.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Everything I own is for sale everyday of the week for the right price. If I was married and had a wife she would be for sale too!

I have a 97 Kevlar TG Hawk 600's. 170 hrs. All fresh custom graphix and paint. Over $30m. Freshened Bravo drives. New Lab finished Bravo II's. New Raised hatch. Has the cabin lay out like you described. She is not cheap but she is like new!

Ran 77+ last year on GPS. Have not tried it out this year with new lab finished props. Cruise at 55-6 @ 3700 rpm.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Hey Dennis,

Sunday we ran in the 3 to 4 foot seas

FULL of fuel and gear

and we saw 75.4 on GPS i was not trimed all the way and i was running 5000RPM

There is 80 MPH there just need to toss out most of the fuel and gear

Cherie' only weighs as much as a bag of chips so she can stay on board

My bet is we se 80 this weekend

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Keith,

Great chatting with you the other day

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Hey Marc, How are you.

Looking forward to seeing you July at SOTW. Still don't know which boat is going to be there. We are wrenching hard on the cat.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Hey Boatme, same here, enjoyed the conversation.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Lucky Strike: I'm confused. Nothing against TGs (I happen to be in the market for one myself), but how can you say that its totally different and unique when there are probably as many Gunners out there as all the other boats combined.

I took a ride in today in a 94 with 900s and #3s on Lake Michigan. 5-6 footers, NE winds. That thing rocked. I love my 42 Sonic but......

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

What are you talking about...............?

I guess what I meant was NO two Cigarettes are the same. Yes, there are a lot of Guns out there becuase they are the most popular boat.

LS JR.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

I'm getting to the point where the amenities are becoming more important, hence the real reason for my initial post. Very few of the newer TG's come with a decent cabin, even fewer with A/C, and I don't know of any with a generator.

To many, buying a Cig is a religious experience, one which I would hope to realize one day. But I have to admit, living in "Sonic Land", aka The Chesapeake Bay, it's not as easy a choice as one would think. Some of those 42's are loaded with goodies, and run very well in the rough stuff. I'm still on the fence, but then again, I still have to sell the Scarab. On the upside, I'm still boating this year. :D

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

We have A/C :D:D:D

LS JR.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

This one is for sale. 97 TG. Look under classifieds. Rapid Transit.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

I just looked this morning, don't see it.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Here is the short add.

1997, Top Gun, Kevlar, 600 SC, Pass nav., new raised engine hatch, bravos, full cabin, $155k ;)

LS JR.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

$155K sounds high for a 97, no?? I have been seeing the same year's give or take a few with more/less power for $120's.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

It all depends on the boat.

Our '91 is for sale. It's $89,500.

We looked for a long time for the Gun we bought. Of course, we found something else we want so it's time for this one to go.

LS JR.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Don't understand why these older Cigarettes are not selling. These are incredible boats for low dollars. A '91 Carbon for $89K is a deal and a 1997 Kevlar with all those updates for $155K is not bad either. Go to BUC Values and check, I'm sure they are listed much higher.

Just my 2 cents.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

How fast will a 2000 top gun with conventional bottom be with 500 efi's?

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

I agree to a point, but those values don't take market swings into account.

I'm trying to sell my boat before buying another. It's definitely not a sellers market. It's a buyers market all the way right now, and probably going to get a whole lot worse with crude jumping to $43/brl.

Next year we all might be sorry we didn't take the low offers we got this season. On the upside, I still have a boat and we'll be out every weekend. :D Good problem to have I suppose.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Enjoy what you got.

L.S.

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

My 99 is for sale New 502's and New Trailer full cabin

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

Scaroll,

Nice boat ... like the graphics on your's. Good luck moving it!

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

How much you looking to get for it?

Re: Looking for a 38' Top Gun
 

150K Buys it