Agree. There's none to "price check" against.

I agree 1000%. Previous boat was an Advantage 25 Citation so a 35 Lightning will be a massive upgrade in speed, handling, docking, basically everything. Going 100 mph is great when your back at the dock and you can flip the tattle-tale switch but outside of that anything in the 90's is plenty for me. I'm head over heels nuts for that new style cabin/cockpit and the gullwing hatches. Don't much care about it being a two-seater cockpit because it's just me, my wife and our 11yr old boy. Occasional (very occasional) passenger. I guess I've got an itch that I think only a staggered 35 can scratch. Poor $$ me LOL.

I think if I was itching to go stagger, I would look at a 38 before a 35. After being in a 35 for the last 3 years, it's not that much boat. A 38 feels like much more boat to me (buddy has one). The 38 doesn't have as much cockpit space, but the hull sides are deeper and just feels like more boat.

....of course, I'm wanting a 42 now. LOL!

I picked up a 2005 35 lightning during the holidays for a great price from atlanta and I am more than pleased with everything about the boat, would never give that much more money just to have a staggered configuration. Went from 25 baja to 35 lightning so everything is completely different in my situation and couldn't be more in love with it

Good buddy of mine has a 2005 38 (semi stagger) and easyrider is absolutely right - it's a beast - relatively speaking. And that's where I'm torn - just not sure I want a big boat. I trailer everywhere and for the waters I run a 35 seems plenty.

My brother-in-law has a 40 Outlaw and I get a bit intimidated behind the wheel of it. I probably just need more seat time.

If a 38 is in the budget I would go that route. Not much bigger to tow and operate. Don't get me wrong , I love my 35 . I wanted to move up to a 38 but it would have required a new lift , different slip , driving piling , permits etc. so I went 35 to fit my existing lift/slip.