So my assumption is that the 35 is the biggest of the small boats and the 38 is the smallest of the big boats ?

Ive wondered about this as well. How much difference is the ride and speed between the 38 small twin step and the 35 single step?

The 2000 and up 35 Lightnings have the 2 big steps.
From what I have seen some of the 2002 38's have the big steps, so maybe when that is when it changed from two step to two bigs step on the 38.


From what I see the 38 looks a little deeper and the nose longer? Not sure though. People have said the 38 is better in big water. I wanna try big water. Never really spent any time on the pacific to speak of.

Haven't been in the 38. The 42 and 35 are early 2000's. What impressed me most was how well the 42 tracked. Like it was on rails! They both seem to ride flat. Only complaint is how shallow they seem.