I guess it really comes down to what I want to deal with. I trailer both boats so if it is just me and the wife, the cig is easier. It is less dependent on the tides at the ramp and basically gets off and jumps back on the trailer itself. For the ultimate wave smashing ride, the Scarab is more fun. But it is a bear to trailer, load and unload. It goes a lot better with at least 3 people including myself and you better hit the tide right when pulling her out at the ramp or you are in for a loooooooong wait.

And much to the wife's dismay, there really is a good reason that we need 2 boats. LOL :whistle:

Interesting opinions am enjoying this... Am starting to think it maybe isnt comparing apples to apples I mean a cigarette from the time of the kv scarab would be a mid 80's flat deck or an early top gun.. The mistress ( I suppose this one posted) has a more vintage look with a little shorter nose and and the windshield that stands proud opposed to the looooong nose you could play cricket on the scarab and the tiny race fairing and (arch :party-smiley-004: be it in questionable taste!!) ..the laws of physics would say that if the two were straight bottom vee's than the heavier longer boat would handle better unless cigarette use witchcraft (which i dont doubt for a minute)

I have no idea about the KV's grid but I know the Mistress has bulkheads all over it under the floor, I am pretty sure the early 38 Cig flatdecks did too, does anyone know how the Scarab is under floor?

I know one thing I noticed with mine is the cabin has less frills to break... (plastic doors and refrigerator) not sure what Scarab used there either, just a few things to consider... my cabin door used to rattle like hell on my Baja, was so annoying...

Hoe heavy is a 38 KV? I have not weighed mine but its supposed to be 9800 dry, so with fuel and gear... it can bu up to 11,000...or better... thats a heavy azz 35 footer.

I think the scarab is definetly 10000+ as soon as it isnt dry..
man Full Force its comforting to see you on here as I have console from another addict of this website although you are going to talk me into an old mistress!!

Go with what you like best! I have zero regrets with mine, I fell into it very cheap, I have no experiance with the KV, I love the way they look, wish the deck was compoletely flat but thats me..either boat is gonna give you a ride that makes people look at you like wtf??? that didnt hurt at all... LOL

My 38KV is 9100#'s dry.

When I was looking for a Go Fast...I talked to a lot of people, one thing that stood out and still does to this day is the guys who have owned a 38KV all wish they still had the boat. I just saw another KV that just completed a very $$$$ overhaul---the owner owns many boats (Yachts and other Go Fast Boats) the the 38KV is his favorite by far...thus he just spent some real coin on an very nice overhaul.

Both boats are pure classics. If I didn't have the 38KV I would have a Cigarette Top Gun. The 38KV is the boat that started it all for me one day at the 1987 Tampa Boat show and of course the Miami Vice TV show. I made myself a promise as a 16 year old kid that I would have a Miami Vice 38KV one day. I luckily made it happen.

The boat reminds me of a 65' Corvette. It's a classic with a very notable place in Go Fast boat history. The Arch has to stay on the boat (Its a Miami Vice Edition KV after all) but the KV's without arches look good as well. Boatme on this forum has stated many times that the Scarab 38KV was his favorite boat and wishes he still had it. That speaks volumes.

What KV are you looking at in this moment?

Both such attractive propositions and is such a hard decision..Hell i'd buy both its the same price or less then a new boat of the same or smaller size or even the price of a similar aged boat with big powers, retro fit drives etc... only they are so similar and do the same thing!! Jet Jock and Full Force you are both passionate owners and I am already slipping into the treachery of becoming obsessed! Full Force how do you manage with towing your cig? Is it a big deal what sort of grunt do you need with your truck?

and Jet Jock I am looking at an 86 KV at the moment which seems pretty nice but a quite expensive for what it is (original 454 trs boat...bone stock)

I tow mine with a 2002 F250 CC 4X4 7.3, I use the 100HP tune all the time on it, tows GREAT... never had an issue at all....

I do a decent amount of towing and love it..trailer is a old school Myco, does fine, a trailer and balance can make or break ya too.. so make sure its got a good one..

I think any KV or Mistress over 25,000 with no updating is pushing it for price, if its more it better have at least newer gauges/throttles/exhaust/hydraulic steering and such...

just so many deals out there, I got very lucky finding mine with no power... and I have a rotted Baja for the doner boat...worked out well..I'm in mine CHEAP..