Ed, not sure where it landed.

MAGIC HOW ARE YOU BUDDY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Remember all the party poopers in bed by 1AM ????? hahaha

I've been lurking for a few months....

Please keep in mind when you post a question that opinions are like A.. holes, you know, everybody has one including myself. That's why I ALWAYS tell people to get the unbiased facts. Speedboat magazine, and Powerboat magazine have done tests. I have the last 10 years of these and I am 99.9% sure it's 86 MPH

For one, I don't consider Powerboat to be unbiased. Second, I think I would listen to what Scott Shogren (largest fountain dealer?) and Dowtown42 (former owner of an early 2000s 525 powered 42) have to say about the top speed.

Good times buddy for sure!!!!! Gotta love those tractor parts! If you need a water fix in Chi town, plenty of seats open for ya buddy!!!!!!!

A boating mag would be the last place I looked for unbiased info. The best info is from boating friends seat time or fellow board members. I know first had that a 06 42 EX will run in the low 80's as I have been that fast driving one!!!!

That would be good to know, I would have to change the truck if I went over a 38.

OOOPS, I stand corrected, 03 was before the latest and greatest hull change, low 80's sounds about right. I am disappointed that someone like John Tomlinson or Bob Teague would lie about the tests, they are both highly respected on the racecourse.

My ten year old 42 Lightning with original staggered 500 EFIs will do 78 mph with 3 on board and 1000 lbs of fuel. This was with Bblades loaner five blades at 5200 rpm.

Did that change take place in 04?

The testers don't need to lie , but sometimes the factory will do seceret modifications and spend extra time dialing in the test boat they send . That maybe the reason for not getting the same results as a regular production boat .