mavrick10

I'm going to try this again to get some more opinions. I'm trying to figure out which one to go with in a 36 gladiator. I originally wanted the Zuls and talked to a couple of guys who said their Zuls ran really strong and had not had any problems with their motors. However, my dealer has access to sterling a little better and can get parts for the sterlings and service them vs not being able to do that with the Zuls. Zuls are what i want.......Sterlings seem to make more sense.

Opinions??
Suggestions??

dhlaw

I would go with the Sterlings just to be different. Quality motors and very few in Gladiators if any.

LEOPAJM

There was 1 36 with the Sterlings and the left hand drive option (don't ask me why I know this ??? ) If you plan on having any service done with your dealer .... and he likes the Sterlings .... then there's your answer ! Where do you like ? Who's your dealer ?

JM

mavrick10

LEOPAJM,
I live in Oklahoma. My dealer is the Performance Group out of Dallas, Tx. I have seen that boat you are talking about. I really didn't like the looks of the sterlings in that boat compared to some of the Zul packages i've seen. I was up at the SOTW run in michigan. Your boat runs good!!.. I was in the 38 lightning w/ the tear away flag graphics w/ hood scoops.

LEOPAJM

Thanks ! We love how she runs !!! Time for her to find a new home though ,... Time for a new one !!! Good luck with your choices !!!

JM

BLee

The Gladiator with the 750 Sterlings ran terrible when it was brought to the marina. Wouldn't idle, burned oil, and ran slower than the comparible Zul Gladiators. Took ALOT of tweaking and work to make the boat usable.

Also, a friend of mine has an 03 Top Gun here has the 750 Sterlings in it. Same problems. Wouldn't run at all when the boat was delivered. Took almost an entire Summer for the boat to run day to day. Couldn't get Sterling to help with much. Again, the performance was slower then the Zul 750 boats.

03 Top Gun w/750 Sterlings runs 96 mph.
03 Top Gun w/750 Zul's runs 105 (Powerboat Magazine, "Out of Control")

I needed some motor work done last Summer. I sent one of mine from Oklahoma to Richie (NY), I was running again in 2 weeks. He always answers the phone, and has answered countless questions of mine whenever I called.

and as far as eye candy, make your own decision.

mavrick10

TwinStepGun,
Thanks for the info. Comparing those two pics is exactly what I'm talking about when it comes to detai!!!!

Jassman

Here are some of TMP's 750 EFI's, 600CI overbuilt, simple paint, but has been extremely reliable, very pleased with the overall product, and they idle at 800 rpms, awesome at the docks. 1 year warranty

List of parts:

599 Dart Block
745hp @ 5500 rpms
763tq @ 4500 rpms

Lunati Pro Race crank
Oliver Billet rods
JE Forged Pistons
Dart Pro 1 fully ported and hand polished heads
Crane Hyd. roller cam and hardware
Cust. 14 qt oil pan
Cust. built multi port fuel inj.
2000 cfm billet throttle body
MSD ign.
Cust. built thermostatic oil system
Billet power steering pump,w/under drive pulleys for all accessories.

twin screws

Are you guys running bravo's with this power? Those Zuls are beautiful.

Semper Fi

I called Zul to talk to him about rebuilding my motors on my 33 Powerplay and he was super nice and took the time to talk to me even though his shop was closing for the day. I haven't quite decided what to do, but he (Zul) was definately a class act.