Staggered vs side by side
 

Mostly curious to hear from guys who have owned both and what are pros and cons of each. I understand it's a weight shift. Is the staggered merely balanced better for getting on plane or does it help handling and top speed also. Are there to side by side over staggered?

No question about it...staggerd is better, faster, easier to work on etc. The only thing a non stagger is good for is docking. I have owned both...

I have knot owned both. A 38 Staggered Has less cockpit space than a side by side or semi staggered

Correct sir...I forgot to mention that one. Ill take speed over space any day...:evilb:

Ok that's what I figured. The docking issue due to the drives being closer together in a staggered?

You wont get into a staggered set up most of the time until you start talking 35 feet and above.

Roger. My next ugrade will be to a 38 lightning. I'm still a ways out but like learning as much as possible along the way. Also like to finish my upgrade to 1600 ton master and the paycheck that comes with it before I step up in boats.

Just like I mentioned in the other thread. Do all research to be as prepared as possible.

Correct....

Awesome. Thanks for all the info. You guys are great. Sold me on staggered. That whole faster word usually works. Lol. I'm sure over time you will see me pop up with more ?s

So would a 38 semi staggard be a good compromise?

doesnt staggered kill a lot of your cockpit space or cabin space?

Yes...I have a good buddy who has an 06 with stock 525's. Runs 87-90 all day. Very nice boat. Im not sure how much it saves on cockpit space. Im going to be riding with him this weekend..since my boat is still being worked on (as usual). I'll try to make an observation as to the difference in cockpit size.

Not really an issue with me. Again, speed over space any day....IMO. Besides, I dont have that many friends...

Wonder why :lolhit::daz:

Full staggered provides many advantages in performance- speed, handling, balance, etc.. Ease of service is soooo much greater.

Speed vs. side by side is about 10 mph faster with same hp.

Rough water handling there is no comparison, full staggered boats have the ability to kill side by sides ( of almost any brand ) due to the better weight distribution.

Don't expect better planing with staggered boats, as most are set with high drive heights to get the big speed numbers.

Sure, cockpit space is limited but stand-up rear bolster options open that space up and keep passengers safer at speed. The sunpads on the staggered boats are huge, that is where most rafting time is spent anyway.

They make a cool rooster tail

I read in Power Boat magazine the staggered advantage is more noticable in bigger boats - 40+ feet. But can't argue with an extra 10 mph in the 35 Lightning. btw I'm a wannabe 35 Lightning owner - still looking for the right deal and can't decide if I should spend more for the 2007+ model.

Definetly has a negative effect on it. Just remember that the one that pays for the boat spends little, if any, time in the back seat. Those that occupy the space are along for the free ride, if not happy, they could just stay on the dock. Knew a guy that was big into the beach friendly aspects of a big cockpit, buy a tooner. Just my take on it. Having spent last saturday on Kelly O's staggered boat doing the TI Poker Run, the space is more than offset by the many advantages!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tpIjCil9kc

Here is some video of Kellys boat, at 8:40 and again at 9:10. That should settle the staggered vs side by side debate.

you can get a sweet side by side for about a hundred grand. Take for instance the 2000 in the classifieds w # 6's. Just needs a shrt winsheild. I bet that thing will smoke every staggered boat in this thread. :D

If you are out on the ocean all the time the staggered would be much better to handle the waves. I would think , I have never owned a staggered. but if you are like me an you spend a lot of time on the lake, any 38 will handle anything just fine. I live right by the pacific and it's pretty choppy and not much fun out there ,unless you get up at 5 in the morning. if I had an extra 50 grand I probably would've gone with the newer bottom staggered'. but the way its it's its for me, my rig is paid for and it's a lot of fun. ps there is quite a bit of room around my engines to work on them.

Easy now....

;D I wish you or I lived closer.. We would have a friggin blast

Have not seen that one, thanks for sharing. Kelly's boat is one very strong performer, not only the speed, it will get over the water as well.

You've been trying forever to get a ride on that boat Forever! Did Sam finally put in a good word for you to seal the deal :lolhit:

Just checked out the video. That is an awesome running boat. Boy does it fly level.

We'd probably both be in jail by now...lol

http://www.youtube.com/embed/zaxO2NET_P4

Cruising around 90.