I am shopping for a 38 and am looking for some history on the hull....I know 07 was full staggered but the info I need is when did the latest technology hull go into production ?

How's is the previous model ? Was there a previous lightning ? Or is the current one the only lightning ?

This is what I know:
I want a 38 Fountain
Myco aluminum trailer
I'm going to be using the boat in ocean conditions and very little freshwater.
I do not want a blower motor , I'm looking for 525efis , maxium range and reliability.

Cruising speed 40-60 mph

Going over 100 mph isn't important, I have 3 boats that do that now.

What should I stay away from ?
What should I be looking for ?

I've bought 20 fast freshwater boats in the last 25 years but now I need to get educated on the next chapter.

Thanks for everyone's help

I say go 42 if you are going ocean. But that's just me. I have a firstload aluminum and I love it. 525's and 496's have closed cooling system
Chad

07 first year of full staggered motors in a fountain- no other factory mods came after that design. 07 first year ITS,XR, shorties came as a package on 525's making it the fastest 38 stock 525 boat fountain ever made. Good luck w/your search.

The latest hull went into production in 02 I believe, the easiest way to tell is the size of the step cut outs on the bottom. An 02 plus can be offered in a side by side or semi staggered option, the full staggered came in 07 along with a new cockpit interior.

I don't think you can go wrong with an 07 plus, and personally I prefer my 38 to a 42 because of the fun factor. Big enough for rough, but still fun and nimble on chop days, when a 42 might put you to sleep. Faster with the same power/set up. Also the 38 is hard for me to launch local because of dock length, the 42 would make it near impossible for me.

I have a myco trailer and couldn't be happier. Tows like it is not there, boat always falls into place when pulling out, and the quality is amazing. If you do go with Myco swap out the bunk nuts to nyloc ones.

Thank you very much for the information it's very helpful , I needed to know the year or the latest changes came into play so I don't shop for the wrong hull. Not that there is a wrong choice I just want to make the best choice.

I also believe the 38 will be the best fit for me.

Alll of your information you guys of been giving me is much appreciated thanks again !!!!

I meant to say I don't think you can go wrong with an 02 plus, not 07

Good luck with your search, some nice deals out there right now

I agree the full staggered is not the way to go for me.

I have a few good candidates.

Thank you

If I was buying a boat today.... It would be this one

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o45351-en.html

But no blowers this one looks good...
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o41719-en.html

Only thing though about that blown boat. ( i know you don't want blown) It should go 140 w those power setups I would think. It would be hard to idle around quietly too.. Lol

Nice hardware with #6 drives, however that boat is a 2000 and is right on the cusp of not being able to finance using the 12 year rule, that will kill resale. 100k+ for a 12 year old boat is crazy IMO

This one has all the creature comforts, newer style dash, big step bottom, TAOD paint, semi staggered, and with shorty's and the right props should run a reliable 90 mph all day long. http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o45949-en.html

And if you want to get out of it, overall it is more desirable to the general public