Top speed of 38
 

What speed can be expected on a 38 lightning with 500 efi's?

525's?

Depends on the year, setup, props, x-dim, etc. A friends '04 with 525s showed 89.5mph on the gps tattletale when he got it. He swapped the props for 5 blades Maximus's and is running around 86 now I think. Some of the newer 38s on the river around here are claiming 90+ with 525s.

90 w/Imco 1" short lowers, stock 32p Bravo props, 525's, 04 38 Lightning

2001, twin step, 500 EFIs

83 mph @ WOT on GPS

I assume all these 38's are side by side motors?

The '04 I was talking about is staggered. When did Fountain stop doing side by side on the 38? Maybe '02 or '03?

200o with 500's, imco lowers side by side 38 lightning

low 80s

My 04' is getting 92mph with Imco 2" shorties 33 maiximus prop,and 525's at 5200rpm. I was getting 88mph out of the stock set up 32 bravo's spinning around 5350rpm. My brother had 01' with 500 efi's and was getting 86mph

87.4 (4 x's on my GPS in dead air and light chop) on stock 500 EFI's, non labbed 26" Hydros, B-1 drives-all stock in a 2001 hull. The engines are basically new though.

74 degrees outside and salt water with 60 gals fuel on board and no one else. They will go faster/slower depending on water and outside temp but I have owned this one for 4 years and it runs faster than ever with the fresh motors. Trim to "5". I can bank on 84-86 on most days. Most "claim" 82-86 according to posts.

88 with moderate fuel and the usual load and mufflers. 2004 with 525's. The Reggie report says 91

F

2008 496ho 425hp 83mph

92 mph on 2004?
 

What did the reggie report claim on your boat? Did the imco 2" shorties make a diffrence?

Trying 2" shorter Sportmasters and 31p 6 blade Herring's right now on my 05 38 Lightning. Unfortunately they had 1:34 gears in it so swapping them out for 1:50. Tried it any way and got the best of 85mph at 4500rpm. Gears going in this week so will post results after.

strong 64 on gps with stock 502's and 24 bravo ones....better watch out haha.

with the proper setup , you should see 96-97 out of a late model 38 with full stagger 525's.

05, staggered with 525's, full load of fuel, 93mph today

I take it you've decided to keep it? ;)

BTW, I've got your Fountain Performance Report. Somehow it ended up in my boat.

Send me a fax number and I'll fax it over to you.

I have a 2008 38' lightning with 525's and it runs 96 to 97 on the GPS

John, I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering how the boat is. How are the drums too? Call me sometime!
Mike

Got the right gear ratio now. Hit 89 @ 5400 RPM spinning 6 blade 31p Herings. Gonna try to get a set of 33p and see what happens. The boat feels so much better.

Has anyone tried extension boxes on a 04 or 05 38?? If so please post results.

John what drive do you have on your 38'? I have xr's with sport master lowers. My best speed is 87 on the tattletale. Low fuel and two people in the boat. Mid spring temps. Did you boat start with herrings or was it something else? If so what did you start with and what was the pick up going with herrings? I found your post by searching extension boxes. I to would like to know if extension boxes help a 38'. I have staggered 525's. Thanks

My boat came with regular length XR's and Labed 32 Bravo 1's. Hated how the boat ran. Cruise sucked and only hit 87mph that took forever with the engines at 5600 rpm. The buzzers were going crazy. After the shorties and Hering's felt like a new boat. Cruise, acceleration and top speed are soooo much better. Coming up on plain was a bit tuff though. 1 prop had the defusior ring and other didn't. Just sent them to Hering and got em all cleaned up and defusior ring back on. Can't wait to try them out now. Just gotta wait till the weather gets a bit better up here in Vancouver. But like I said it was hitting 5400rpm. Would like to get it down to 5200rpm. Might try to get a set of 32's.

Top speed
 

[QUOTE=TJ Bart;2259277]05, staggered with 525's, full load of fuel, 93mph today[/QUOTE
What year ?

pretty acurate . Mine ran 87 with hp 500's and no cabin seats or sink.