35 vs 38 lightning's
 

All right you knowledgeable people. I know I have aske d this before and I have to ask it again. The wife and I bought a 29 fever this year and already I want a bigger boat. Problem is I'm not sure what actually to get. Please pass on your thoughts:
1- Is the ride of a 38 worth the extra efforts compared to a 35 (efforts are in trailing, docking, cleaning, etc")? Both boats will at least have 500 EFI's and overall speed is not the most important thing. I would say ride is the ultimate thing we are wanting. We went to the LCR PR this year in our boat and we were getting beat up and I'm not sure if a 35 would have fared any better but I do believe a 38 min would have been the ticket for that weekend but is a 38 ft woth the toruble only for 2-4 PR's a year? We will be doing a few PR's in it; Ky Lake, Cumberland Lake and hopefully at least one a year around the country (SOW, CBPR, Ohio River, Lake Havasu, etc). We boat mostly on Ky Lake / Barkely Lake and it is realtivity smooth waters.

I just can not make my mind up on what to do.. I saw a 35 at P-57 that I really liked but they sold it about a week ago :(

Any and all comments will be appreciated. :D

PS
overall cost of boat is not a concern :eek:

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

Then go 38, 42 if money is no prob.

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

What he said!

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

The half staggered engines make the 38 the way to go. Unless you need the space to store the bimini top like the 35 offers. Trailering and docking can be a pain but if it was easy, anyone could do it.

I too had a 29 before the 38.

F

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

Fountainclimber,

Did you go from a 29 straight to a 38?

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

Yes,

Couldn't afford that two (or three) foot itis. But I wouldn't mind moving up to a 42.

We were trailer boaters and kept the 29 in the driveway. We started boating on Lake Michigan and half the time it was too rough for the 29. When the waves come over the bow, it's too rough.

I keep the 38 at the marina and just trailer it a few times a year. The down side is that gas is more expensive and I can't go and tinker any time I want but it is so much easier to drive to the marina and hop in.

I think the 35 is a sharp boat but every little bit helps on the Big Pond (except for docking). I have been in 35's, 38's and 42's. The front end seems to get heavier as you go up, especially compared to the 29. Of course the ride in rough water gets better.

I am sure you'll enjoy either one!

F

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

No question, the ride in the 38 is way better. Especially if you are doing Poker Runs.

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

Owned a 2002 35 Lightning, and currently own a 2006 38 Lightning. Either one will ride better than your 29. To me the 38 drives like a 35, dont really notice the difference between the boats from the drivers seat. I think the 38 with staggered motors is a better balanced boat. The 38 also has the edge in rough water. Docking trailering, docking, if you can do it with a 35, you can do it better in a 38. You really dont notice the extra 3 feet until you get into rough water. With 525's the 35 is running high 80's low 90's. The 38 is running close in the high 80's, just takes a little longer to get their. If I boated on the Great Lakes, I would be looking 38 or 42. The 42 is the ulitimate wave crusher. I have heard the 42 is hard on Bravo drives, dont know from first hand experience, maybe someone else will chime in about that.

good luck with whatever you get!!!

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

The 38 is a great balance between speed, size and stability on a big lake. With a side by side config, the 35 will walk the 38 hands down, but the 38 stag is faster than both the 35 and the 42. The cabin seems much bigger than the 35 and the same as the 42. But,personally I would prefer the 42 only because I can lay out on the sun pad without my feet hanging over. :D

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

to me it was 35 no brainer// it s fast, accelerates, with some power stuffed in the stern u can run it pretty glued in and not get pounded,, running xr drives weight is a factor, with going 38 and 42,
i have not been beat by any 38 on a p run rough or not. the 42 diff animal,, a 42 with 6;s and 1000 + per side staggered that would be the obvious choice but i didnt want to tie myself into a boat loan, especially in the 250k+ range...
the 35 is a whole lot diff than a 29
the 38 staggered is awsome but need some snorting 575's whippled etc to get it rolling, get something fast so u wont start messing with it in a yr as u get bored trying to push the throttles thru the dash//
pull up the thread maverick had going on his 38,, i saw the boat at KW last yr sweet 38 with power like mine,, seemed it drove him up a wall trying to get it to break 100.
I must just say could not have been happier with my boat,..
2002 35 that rocks...
you need some of these in the boat 700 hp 575's turn key idles nice starts easy, hauls tail for a v bottom :D

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

If you get a 38 you should to get 2000 or newer, older tham that the boats looked dated, just sold my 98 32, came very close to deal with 98 38, with 500's backed out last min., because steps are still same as 95 and still has dated air vents in motar compartment, doen't get me wrong still nice boat but if I am to move up in size I think you should go for the latest hull. I am leaning twords a 35 98 or 99 because of step

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

The 35 Lighting does it for me

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

go for the big step like mine if you want i will sell u mine...
it roars,,, its seen 106+ on gps!!

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

Hey Jonas is your boat red and gold? And did you by it from Rod at Honker Cut?

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

I tink Fastboats.com...Randy Sweers S FL

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

i think your suggestions from others will be most important if you include the amt. of $ you are willing to spend. i have driven every size fountain there is. (except for the few 65's) personally the 42 is by far a more sought after boat and will only the the dream of many. if comfort is the major issue, then try to get one. otherwise the 38 is my choice for the ride, but the 35 is the better looking boat with the race-fairing.

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

no
see pics above,,
its blues and black silvers
thanks

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

If money isn't a concern but ride is most important then why not a 47 with race faring and a pair of fully staggered 900's or something like that? You not going to have a problem with any water, runs great in calm water easy to get on plain, no more difficult to dock then a 42 (easier in my opinion, more weight). Trailering can be a bit of a hastly but well worth it if you do not have to move very often and you can have it delivered to where you want it too. Just a thought, my ultimate would be the new 47 vacuum packed hull with staggered 1075's. :D

Now i need to find the $$$$$$$$$$ :eek:

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

The two people I've known who had 47's hated them. They are wave crushers but they just don't give you the Ferrari sports car feel like the other Fountains. Both people got rid of them fast. These were 1999 and 2001 models - I have no idea if they ride different now.

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

you are correct the 47 deffinately has a more solid in the water ride then the 42 etc. From what i have run and noticed though the 47's with triple 500's etc you get that "crushing" ride but when you have some bigger power you start to get the 42 feeling a bit more.

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

Bigger is alwas better when it comes to ride in rough wator, thats a no brainer but I went from a 29 to a 35 and the differance was huge. I cant see 3 feet making that much of a differance from a 35 to a 38. The power to weight with the same power the 35 will be faster. The staggerd 38 may be close but I bet the 35 would run through any thing the 38 would. Also the 35 will handle a little better ,trailer a little better and dock a little better .(gas and resale time!] Or just get it over with and get a staggerd 42 if you can, the cost between a 38 and 42 is worth it if you are willing to pay for the extra gas ect, ect,ect... GOOD LUCK!

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

Welcome Hammer... :D

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

I have the boat and I will take your trade.

Re: 35 vs 38 lightning's
 

As someone who has gone from a 35 to a 38, I can tell you that the difference in rough water ride between the two boats is huge. The 35 is a great boat but hands down the 38 will go thru much rough water.