Just bought a new 05 35X, 496's. Got to run it pretty
good today and noticed some things. First, the stern
feels kind of squirrly at around 45 mph. Especially
when there is a lot of side chop from boat wakes.
Is this normal? This is my first stepped hull boat.
I'm coming out an older 32 fever no step. That
boat felt like it was on rails!
Also this boat seems like it really takes some
time to get on plane. Normal for this boat?
Last, It seems like you really have to keep
working the tabs. Boat wants to lean to, then no
sooner do you have it corrected and your leaning the
other way. It was windy and a lot of boat chop,but
I never did this with my 32. Also mid range acceleration
seems a little weak. I dont know what they are useing
for props,but I know they are 4 blade.

I am interested in this as well....we should be getting our 35 lightning this week. We are having whipples installed on the 525s and I am concerned how it will handle at higher speeds. I am just afraid that the boat will feel a little squirly since it will be lighter than the larger boats running the same power.

my 99 with 500's had none of those issues. I wonder if they raised the engines up too high to raise the X dimension and made her top-heavy - throwing off her CG

I was thinking the same thing. I heard they raised the X dimension.
I might just need some more seat time,but as of now I'm a little
dissapointed.

Would the 05 X and Lightning have diff x-dim numbers.

I really dont know,but when I bought my X the sales
manager said she was at Fountain all week testing
the new boats and said the 35 lightning felt really
loose at high speeds. Then again she admitted that
she has no experience with stepped hulls. ( I really
think she had little boating experience,period.) I
need some more time in mine to get a feel for it.
Maybe stepped hulls are just a totally different
animal. Just takes some time to learn where to
trim & tab it. Lets hope so! After 23 years of running
no step boats maybe there just a learning curve.

We had a 2000 35 lightning, it had 540's with whipples on it. The boat was rock solid, we came out of a 32 with 500 hp's the 35 lightning felt better balanced, but that hull runs better at 50-55 mph. They will get on plane slower, you are pushing more weight. The mid range is a little lazy compared to a 32, thats why we built whippled 540's. Overall if you liked your 32 you will love the 35 its just takes some seat time.

find out what kind of props are on the boat? also which way they spin,in or out? some of the boats with the 496's are running 32 bravo's with a 1.65ratio drive.

Thanks,that makes me feel better,I,m gonna run the
$hit out of it this weekend. Maybe I,ll get a better feel
for the stepped hull.