2004 38 lighting
 

I have staggered 38 with stb motor fwd and see the newer ones are port fwd...... anyone know why they changed???
Also I am thinking of putting some 2" shorty's on and wondering if I should go with merc's or imco's???

imco's are faster.

what power

525's it does 88mph now stock......fresh water speed

I am currently trying 1" shorter Imcos on an 04 Lightning. I was told 2" was going to be too high and the Imco's were faster although because of the smaller skeg, might get a little loose compared to the 2" sportmaster with a spacer. First try last night, and still breaking in the new drives, but it got up on plane just fine and seemed to be able to pull more prop than the stock 32 Bravo One's. I have recieved two prop reccomendations 30P 6 Blade Herrings and Labbed 30P 5 Blade Maximus's. I will want to try before purchase. One other thing the fuel tanks were full and that will no represent where I will run for top speed.

04 lighting what? power?

you may have been misinformed. i just today ran a 03 38 half stagger with 575's 2" imcos spining 33 hydro p5's. she ran 108.2 and was still climbing. i will be running another with 750 single 4's . although this one is has standard gimbals and trhe first has i.t.s.
either way go for it.

p.s the maximus will be best hole shot, planeing and cruise. you will sacrifice some top end.

Talked to fountain they told me they recoommend 2" shorty sportmasters and Maxumis 35 pitch 5- blades by 15-5/8" as that's the set up they are currently rigging there boats from the factory with and that I should expect speeds around 96mph with my stock 525's. Just ordered the props to try first.....they are very pricey with the lab finish that they recommended........
I was thinking that when I do try the shorty's of trying the imco's on my xr's as it seems everyone thinks they are faster......But are they reliable???

I have 525's w/short stagger, I had to sort through many possible setup opinions, 3 sources came out simular. That will be the first try. I have 2" Sports to try later.

38' question
 

I have an EFI500 powered 38' '01 model with stock everything (B-1's, not staggered. etc) . It runs like a banshee-86.4 GPS in saltwater, 100 gls fuel and 1 person. It is just a quick hulled boat BUT I have been reading all the notes about shorter lowers and want to make the right shorter move and prop move at same time. I would love to hear any experiences with same setup I have. Can't buy 4 sets of props, then 2 different sets of shorter lowers. Would appreciate any assistance and thanks

Viaqua,

What props are you running on your boat?