I was talking to someone today that ownes a 1996 42' and says his boat was good up 3' waves and after that the 38' guns would walk away from him.His boat has stag. setup and I would liked to know from other 42' owners there feeling on this. Thanks!

It is a matter of ability and commitment when it gets rough.

having owned 2 42's and been in numerous 38's cigs id say the 42 will handle anything the 38 will.

later

We run out in Galveston Bay all the time in 3 footers when the wind blows the right way. We have a varied assortment of boats in our club including Cigs. I have never been out run to a poker run stop by a Cig. due to water conditions unless he has more power and is faster. My 42' handles anything I can through at it. It is a matter of how you run the boat and your commitment to get there first. We have never felt out of control or in a situation the boat won't handle. Throw in huge container ship and cruiser wakes and it can make the ride very interesting. We do slow down for the wakes. It's a matter of learning how to keep the boat level and in control. The ride in the boat is great, very soft.

He needs to go faster to skip over the waves. At medium speeds in rough you will get pounded.

I have driven both and up here on Lake Michigan we get alot worse than just 3' swells . It really all depends on your skill level, a novice will get into trouble no matter what he is driving. I have out run a 38 T/G with an equal top speed in 4-6 footers with our old 30' Scarab.


Its like making breakfast , the chicken is dedicated,,, the Pig is commited

3' would be a bit of an under estimate....About 7' and up you might feel better with the deeper freeboard of a 38 gun.

Absolute BS! that a Top Gun rides better or handles the rough better than a 1996 42 lightning. That boat is and aways will be one of their best riding boats( small steps, low x dim.) That is still a killer hull for the rough. The new lightnings(2003 and up) are a different animal all together with the larger steps and super high x dim. My brother owns an 04 42 and crushes anything you throw at it but not as well as my buddies 96. They are two different rigs. Top Gun? Give me a break. Never once have I seen a Top Gun walk the dog on a 42 Fountain in the rough with the same power. My 2c.


RAF

I have to say that in 3's you can run a 42 WOT all day long and not feel a thing. The T/S Cigarette will have just as good of ride though in my book. You have to get the Fountain movin to have the nice ride. Tell your buddy to slowly start running the boat faster when it gets choppy.

I guess I should have added that we pretty much run at the upper end of the RPM range. You do have to get on top, although 3' waves are really not much of a challenge for a 42' Fountain at any speed once you get on plane. My wife is always telling me" it's not a race. We run with Cigs all the time, very nice riding and handling boats, but I do like my Fountain.