What is the approximate speed of a 38' with 500's? Thanks.

around 82 + or -, from what i have experienced.

Thank you. There is one on the Lake that is interested in racing. Just wondered what to expect.

Going to take a pass through the speed traps? Good for you. And have your way with a woman afterwards.To the victor goes the spoiles.

Good analogy! I have to get my engines back in the boat before I can do anything. Just trying to make the rest of the summer exciting.

I have a 2001 38 w/ stock 500 EFI's, 26" Hydros and with 50 gls it will run 86.3 GPS, with 150 gls, it will do 83.8 GPS

This is from the Fountain adds of the time for 38 Fevers and Lightnings.
38 Fever
LOA: 38' / 11.58 m
Beam: 8'6" / 2.6 m
Weight: 8,200 lbs. / 3,719 kgs
Fuel capacity: 174 gals. / 659 l
Recommended power: twin 500 EFI Mercurys with Bravo One drives
Speed - 81+ MPH

38 Lightning

LOA: 38' / 11.58 m
Beam: 8'6" / 2.6 m
Weight: 8,500 lbs. / 3,856 kgs
Fuel capacity: 190 gals. / 719 l
Recommended power: twin 500 EFI Mercurys with Bravo One drives
Speed - 81+ MPH

Note that those speeds are with one person on board and very light fuel at sea level. For most people they would never have seen even those speeds.

That is a difference in speed. Ranging from 81-86.

Marginmn - are you saying that the posted speeds of 81 was too fast? It seems like the boat would run that fast. They must have changed the hull since 1999. The new 38' is quite fast.

I agree with Marginmn, rarely does the average guy obtain the speed Fountain claims unless the boat is dialed in. My .02
Rebel did you hit the water yet??

Yes Rebel, they changed to 38 hulls in 2002 to the bigger steps. The older smaller stepped hulls are solid running boats but most people with 500's see 81-ish tops. Those speeds were directly from Reggie's brochure - he doesn't make a habit of under-estimating the speed of his boats.

As for 86 with stock 500's and 26 hydros - he either has a faulty gps or a slip rate that the rest of us can only dream of. I've been in several 2000 38's repowered with 575's and they only saw 86-87. My friends 2001 lightning with 500 efi's runs around 78 here on Cumberland. I guess at sea level you might see a couple more mph.

The 2007 38 has a new hull and is a full stagger. It's a fast boat but it has the cockpit room of a 27.