Is there any truth to the rumor that the 1999 42 ft bottom is not the best one compared to the later models? I have read here on OSO that they are all the same from 98 on but maybe someone knows the actual tweeks that the factory has done on the 42 from 1998 until now. I am specifically referring to handling/performance with 525HP/bravos, not big power.

I can't imagine Reggie not tweeking the bottom each and every year. Some years from 1998 to 2004 must be better than others.

I am considering such a boat and would like to flush out any first hand knowledge regarding this issue.

I am sure the 1999's work fine, I am trying to find out if the 2000 and later model works a little better with stock power.

I had a 99 42ft Lightning and loved it.

I'm sure you'll love it!

The new bottoms are flat at the steps, I think you have more aggressive lift, not sure. Your rear step sits higher than the front step. Mine are same height flat.

If it runs and drives , looks good then you're in.

Thats a good question...I know I like the 97 steps and the 05's.

i think the bottoms changed quite a bit in the early step years 95-97 mid to late 98 they went to the big steps and i think they stayed the same until mid to late 04. then early to mid 05 they changed the bottom quite abit to reflect what they learned in the fastest v bottom persuit the steps on mid to present 05s are different then the 98-04 boats they seem to be placed firther back and the notch at transom is larger, and boats with big power seem to have a different step placement, i dont know any of this to be true just observation, also in 98 they changed the way the strakes end into the bottom of the boat and know they have gone back to the way they were in the early and mid 90s

later

RUN HER...you'll love it..they all work good