Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I am seriously considering jumping up this month and getting another new ride.

I know the Gladiator talk is usually bad, but I love 'em!

However, I am curious how those that have/do own them feel about the usefulness of one vs. a T/S 'Gun.

I also would like to hear about your thoughts if your have/do own a T/S 'Gun.

I do a lot of different kinds of boating. I race a Cat in SBI so I get my adrenaline fix there.

I am also interested in the speeds of both w/525's-ITS combo.

For those w/a TopGun, how much do you use your cabin?
For those w/a Gladiator do you miss a cabin?

Thanks for the help! I will owe you all a beer after I make a purchase.

Greg

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I'm gonna sound like a jerk for sayin it, but find a dealer with both and test drive both...

Since i don't own either thats the best advice i can give, must say tho, i don't think theres any other boat out there that can match the looks of a gladiator.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Forgot to mention theres a member up in Jacksonville, NC who just bought a new Gladiator and is looking to trade it for a TG so he has a cabin for his wife. Might be a boat to look into. Can't remember the name but I don't think it would be that hard to track him down, he might be at the races this weekend.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Thanks JT, That member is MacRaymond.

I've spoken to him about his boat. I'm interested, but I'm lookin' to go new right now.

I will see Mat at the race and Maybe we will put somthing together.

I am just comparing the new rigs for now though.

Greg

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

mcraymond3 very nice guy. his name is mat and this is true. looking to trade gald for a topgun. get a hold of him. his family owns sanders ford in jacksonville nc. just call information, get the number and ask for little mat raymond. there is a few there, so makes it easier to get him on the horn. good luck... dave

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I was ready to move into a Gladiator after my Cafe Racer. I ended up with a Top Gun without a finished cabin ... go figure.

During the 4 years of owning the Cafe, I never overnighted although the cabin was nice around the docks or rafting together with others.

The one thing I questioned about owning a Gladiator was storage ... readily available storage. With the empty cabin in my TG, it works perfect for throwing fenders and day bags. I'm still not sure I would like sitting all the time ... I know I like standing while running and maneuvering around docks.

I'm sure with enough seat time, one could get comfortable with the sitting and the styling of the Gladiator is stunning. But, still the question of accessible storage has me.

G

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Yeah those are the 2 things that kinda make me think...even with a small bowrider atleast you can throw a cooler up front or something. I also wonder about sitting down as to how it beats you up, I know I always prefer to be standing to let my knees absorb any shock. I've recently learned what its like to have back troubles and I don't know that I'll ever get back to the point where sitting is much fun.

I also know of a Brand new 04' Top Gun thats for sale local here. Theres a pic of it at the top of the Cig. Graphics thread. The owner of this boat passed away before it was finished when his old T/G flipped during a test-drive. His brother has put a few hours on it but it is basically a brand new boat.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

A buddy of mine had a 2003 38 tg with the 525 ITS package and it ran 88. I brought it to Phil a little bit ago to be sold and I thinck it has, but it would be worth a call. She is supper clean and loaded with optoins.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

whatever you get Greg, it better be fast, otherwise you'll have a hard time keeping up with me in my new ride... :eek: :D :D :D

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I got a 02 TG w/575's and love the ride and handling characteristics. I did the same thing your doing and decided on the TG. More versatile, better resale and I can sit or stand :D :D Besides I'd be freaked to leave a gladiator with no rub rails rafted or docked anywhere.

Regardless, both are sweet but having a cabin whether you actually sleep in it (which we don't) or not is a very, very handy feature my friend. Never know when ya' might find ya' a Georgia PEACH :eek: :eek:

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Thanks guys! I will be thinkin' long and hard about this. The more opinions the more I can learn. I love my 'Gun but i want newer and nicer w/steps.

greg

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Cash if you think u might be interested in this one I can get in touch with the owner and get the details on it for you, he just got it brand new...the story behind the boat is here:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=77030

This is the new boat:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=79441

very first one shown.

Good luck man, if you want me to get some more details on that boat so you have them, please let me know. Might be able to save a few $ over new when the boat only has just a handful of hours.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Greg, that didnt take you to long to get the itch for a new boat,

Good luck on your search

I would go with a t/s Gun with a cover girl cabin for the storage and to "take care of Business" when you have company. A Gladiator would be the perfect 2nd boat for Poker Runs IMOP.


Bob

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I wish I had your problems!!!!

Bobby

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I had the same trouble trying to decide.After researching and talking to countless people,I went with the Gladiator.I do not miss the cabin,love sitting versus standing and have no regrets.I had several Topguns prior,and hoped I was not making a mistake.They are both awesome boats,but my vote has to go with the Gladiator.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I've also noticed the gladiator is about 100k less than a TG, just a ballpark roundabout number...but a big one at that.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Greg.... There is something wrong with you you know!! You havent even had the current gun for a year yet and you are looking to get rid of it. I have got to get a job like yours..... :D:D:D

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Hey Dano,
how did that swim platform work for you?? Do you have any pics??

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Or u could ask one of those rich lawyer guys who owned both a TS TG and a Glad. at the same time...caugh caugh :D just messin with u man

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I love my T/S Gun. It runs low to mid 80's with 500's depending on conditions and will run through some nasty water.

I also like the Gladiators and I came real close to buying one. My only concern with the Gladiator would be dry storage. I owned cats before the Gun so the issue of standing versus sitting would not be an issue imo.

If I were to go with a Gladiator I would have to have something under the deck for storage. I thought about the idea of a net secured to the under side of the deck. Something to think about.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

When you buy a Gladiator from Phil,he puts in
fender holders, a storage box ,and gelcoats and finishes that portion of the boat.Sitdown boats are the future!

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Dude, sitdowns are the past. What do you think we had before stand up bolsters?

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Dont knock it till you try it.I thought sitting down was ridiculous,now I think standing up is ridiculous.Everyone who owns a sitdown boat used to tell me this,and I did not beleive them.Ask Philly from Lipship,who knows more than the Cig factory about Cigs or Mike Fiore whats better and they will tell you to SITDOWN.Even Reggie is rumored to be working on one.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Thanks even more! I'm still not sure what, but something new is definitely on the horizon.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Oh yeah, SOMEBODY said the comparison is like a sports car vs. an SUV.

I keep thinkin' thats true if the SUV is a twin-turbo Cayanne or ML55!!!

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Wahoo! :D

LS JR.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

rumor has is that cig is releasing a new 39 on thursday, i believe it is a sit-down like the 45, you can also drive from the center, like the 45. i guess we will have to wait and see!

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I heard some news on the new cig. and the only thing I'm sure of is it will climb right out of my newly raised budget. Doh!

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Greg,
gimme a call and I can give you some input on the 2 boats.

Brett

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

We have a brand new Gladiator in stock. Check out our website or call for more info. Looking to move it!


Pwrbt33
Offshore Performance
1-877-GOFAST1
410-827-0200

www.offshore-performance.com

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Yeah, you and everybody else!!!! Time to scream ole Cash a deal!!!!

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I think sitdown is a new fad, it will pass. Legs make much better shock absorbers than spines do.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Brett,

Platform was fine. Still haven't installed it yet as I think I'm going to carry the color scheme from the swimdeck through the transom and onto the platform. Reasonably complex deal to do but I just can't warm up to the solid color options. That or somebody is gonna' make me an offer on that 37 Outerlimits I have my eye on :D :D :eek:

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I have put 3700 miles (I love GPS stats) on my 32 Skater. By pressing your spine into the Skater high back seat you can distribute the shock to your shoulder blades and the entire length of your back. I just spent 10 hours in a 38 Top gun. I could feel the vertebrae compress every time we landed in the Gun. You legs can take some of the shock but it has to end sometime. The high back seat almost lets you hang by your shoulder blades, letting your disks expand with each landing. Your never really hit the seat bottom. The only problem was if you could not push your feet against the foot bed.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

When I race the Gladiator in rough water the trick is to push of the foot rests so that your ass is out of the seat and your back is pressed into the backrest. This makes like a shock absorber. I have been out in 5-6 footers running 80 and felt pretty good considering...... I like the stand up also but it does not feel as secure as sitting tightly in a bolstered seat.

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

do yourself a favor buy a cat

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

how would brett know what its like to sit tight in a seat he knows what its like to feel lose in the water

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Let me build you one

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

Greg, forget the cabin and the V bottom and buy a Skater.Once you go skater you wont go back!

Re: Upgrading again..New Gladiator or T/S TopGun?
 

I really would go Cat, I race one remember.

I just can't add about 2-3 times as much for insurance.

And I don't want a 80-100k Cat just to afford the insurance.

Greg