just kind of looking around, and don't want to spend a too much money. But I found a 96 42 ft. Lightening with 500's in it. She's a twin stepped boat. What's this boat like ? No bashing, just the plus's and minus's.
I have a 35 lightening classic, and love the boat, a little more length is always good on the LOTO water.
Speed is not a big consideration, as long as it moves pretty good, but I like to cut through the slop.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
~~ Reggie

35 to a 42! Just don't see how you can go wrong here.

42' handles the slop the best!35&38 do pretty well also!just takes some HP to get big MPH 100+ with the 42'which your not concerened so grab it!

Is there a big difference in the hull design, from 96 to now ?

Yes. Id say pretty big!

Is there any big drawbacks in the 96 hull ?
Like the steps are different, bigger, longer, deeper, etc...

'96 were "1st generation steps" and very small. They increased in '97 and again in '98. A '98 Lightning bottom looks similar from the side to a new boat. There have been additional changes in the position and depth of the steps, chines, etc. but they look very similar at a glance from '98 to 2009. The '96 Fountain steps are clearly '96 steps. I don't think it matters at the speeds you'll be going, but there is a visible diffenerence.

Faster means more efficient, means you use less fuel every day. Newer are faster.

Is the 96 staggered?

Yes twin stepped. I understand that, I have one step on my 35, but in 98 the step changed a lot from 97, and that's kind of what I was wondering.

I mean staggered engines.

I am not sure which year the 42 always had staggered engines, and i think for awhile, some were side-by-side with a big cockpit, and others were staggered with a smaller cockpit.

I know that some with the side-by-side engines are very happy to have the big cockpit -- its about the same size as a 47 cockpit.

For me, I really would MUCH prefer staggered engines so its easier to service stuff back there.