Whats a better rough water boat....
 

35 EX single step....

35 lightning twin step.....

35 lightning twin step staggered


Also I know they are the same total length but the EX looks longer than the lightning. Does it have more running surface?

Thanks

35 no step:thankyouthankyou:

Staggered.

Have to agree staggered. It's all you ever hear about is the balance. I want one just for ease of working on motors.

twin stepped staggered by far, if the same power.

Thanks guys, I actually have my current boat paid down to about what its worth. Still unsure what I want, one nice thing about the EX' s from like 04 to 06 is they are pretty much done dropping in value and if they do drop it will be minor. The staggered lightnings while nicer due to the fact that they are selling for more will see a larger drop. I got hammered on my Formula but I am finally even now just have to decide what I want next.

I am sure any of the three will be much better than what I have now.

I have a problem searching the threads but if I remember most seemed to think that the sides by sides were better in rough, manly due to the high X of the staggered boats.

Hard part is the staggered 35's cost as much as a couple year older 42EX.

RaggedEdge would be a good one to ask, he’s had both EX and side by side twin steps.

There are some great deals on the 42 EX's but all the ramps around me are short. A 42 is going to be a problem at anything but high tide.

You would think i would have a better memory,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, considering I started the thread!
DUH:lolhit:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...step-stag.html

Guess I should have done a search, opps

Owning a '93 35 Lightning for 7yrs and an '05 42 Ex staggered for 3 yrs, primarily on Lake Michigan waters, the 35 will not be a rough water boat. 2 completely different rides. Medium to calm seas-35 will work.

But which did you like better?

I should have kept the 35. Problem free old school quality. :helmet:

Wildman: Save a spot for me down there! :thankyouthankyou:

Answer (D) None of the above. :D

Just kidding Tim. Good luck my friend!

the 42 has been more problematic?

the 2005 42- yes

In this market if you are a buyer and want a 35, get the twin step (either one) and skip the Ex. The twin step hull is a benchmark. The Ex is nice, but basically buying much older tech.

Twin steps...free speed too.

Could that be why this low hour loaded 05 has been for sell what,,,,,,,,,, 6 months?

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o39816-en.html

Or this one, better looking again low hours?

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o39818-en.html

Both nice boats.

Read the title and thought Apache. LOL. But now I see your using the F word. Staggered has the best balance hands down.

Or here's my old one looking for her 4th OWNER !!!!! ...I purchased new and was "possessed" for over 3 yrs. :angry-smiley-038:

http://performanceboatbrokerage.com/...sp?boat_id=421 :daz:

Wow, didn't that just sell not long ago?

But they want the same price with 300 hours on 525's as the one with AC, gen, and 95 hours. Better paint but I would take the low hours,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,not that I am looking.

We can't have you 42 less forever. You need another boat :D

What is/was wrong with the these 42's??

+1. This is the first I ever heard somebody say they had problems with a 42. Was it boat or rigging???

Don't get me wrong- we had a lot of fun with the boat and hoped to keep it for 15+yrs. Maybe the Ex vs the Lightning had something to do with it.

Here's the short list-

Drive starboard leaking drive fluid when brought home new 1st day.

15 hrs port header gaskets leaking-replaced starboards as well
Impellor port water pump

80 hrs Re-man XR starboard
94 hrs Port drive main bearing
107 hrs New XR starboard
111 hrs New left drive shaft/couplers inside bilge port engine


Electrical wiring bow light, GPS, pilot lights, and 525 solenoid
Carpet falling off inside cabin - sparse adhesives
Lots of stress/spider cracks - deck, dash, walk around, rear vents, swim platform - This was very disappointing to say the least !!!

Hardware falling off doors, cabinets
Bolster seats - crooked and wouldn't raise level as new
3 coolers- cheap thin plastic kept breaking - after 3rd one just said F--- it and brought a carry on.

Port CMI headers cracked and leaking water in oil

I figured this boat was a Bad Omen from day 1- delivered new boat with no mention of this till we
arrived to sign papers - THANKS !!! :lolhit:


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...0169Medium.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...0171Medium.jpg

They must have been building the older boats better. My 1990 38 is solid as a rock. No stress cracking, or anything like that. Well, there is just a couple gel crack lines in the deck hatch drain slots, but other than that, its solid. Same goes for my buddy Mike Sommer. His 1995 35 is solid and crack free. Another buddies 2005 42, not so much.

Lake Michigan will separate the good from the bad real fast!!

Agreed.

My 1993 35 I purchased in 1998 from original owner was trouble free for 8 yrs
except port trim pump after 7yrs- NO STRESS CRACKS
Guess that's why the original owner decided he wanted it back. Dumb move on my part !!! LOL :lolhit:

Ok I think I am keeping my 2000 32, at least I know the boat

My 1997 47' Fountain has been an absolute gem. It has only mild power and triples and I don't whip it so the motors and drives have been perfect with just regular maintenance (I also always use full synthetic oil and lubricants whenever available.

If you really want a good big water boat, it might be better to get an older 42 or 47 in good condition with good record. There are lots of great deals out there now.

My friend has a 35 Lightning 25th Anniversary and is one of the smoothest riding fountanins ive been in

Hi Tim how about the 35 that is listed here on OSO 2000 with new 496's less than 2 hours on the entire boat for 65,000
Rich

93lightning
 

Downtown 42, how long ago did you sell you're 93lightning. I bought a 93lightning up there about 4 years ago and would like to get some history on it.

I saw that, looks like a decent deal, because I still don't know what I want and I don't have time to look at boats right know. Extremely busy with work I dropped my Formula off today to have full hydraulic steering installed. Its what I hatted most about my boat so will probably run one more season, and either try this again in six months or just put some decent HP in mine next winter.