Does anyone on this forum have enough seat time in both the stepped and non-stepped versions of the Heat to be able to compare and contrast them in regards to planing, turning and top speed (assuming equivalent HP)? I'm currently looking at some pre-2000 MY Heats and wonder if the stepped boat has enough of a performance edge to warrant the additonal $$$.

Any and all opinions appreciated!

I spend 12 years in a 1998 Heat that had 865hp and the best speed I ever got was 89, it would start to chine walk in the upper 80's but was a great boat, a friend of mine has it now and loves it. Now I have 2010 Heat with a 600sci that has a Whipple stage 2 upgrade witch make's it about 730hp and it run's 89-90 ever time I open it up and handles great with no chine walk, as for the ride I really can't tell any differance the 98 would plane faster because it had a lower drive hiegth, turning is also about the same.
Hope this helps John

I own a step hull Heat. Several friends have the pad vee version. Both seem pretty efficient. As for handling at high speed the step hull is very good. Rough water ride is similar.
One thing to consider is resale value. As you seem to be finding, most vee hull performance guys prefer step hull technology, and that's why they are carrying more resale.
It isn't just Nordics. You'll find similar resales on other companies step vees too. And with companies that are on their 2nd or 3rd version step hulls, the latest generation usually has the highest efficiency and resale value.
The turning "quirks" of most step hulls are exaggerated. Any hull can be spun out with bad driving techniques. These aren't F1 boats, and drivers simply need to use common sense (like slowing down a little, turning gradually) when cornering. Just keeping the drive(s) parallel to the hull or slightly tucked in will make most step hulls react like a straight deep V.
Regards,
Steve

Great input guys. No substitute for seat time and experience.

I had a Scandia (pre-Rage non-step 25') & now have a Rage (stepped). It's smaller than the Heat, but I can tell the difference from non-stepped. Stepped seems slower out of the hole, turns about the same, and seems to handle wave better than non-stepped. Speed can't be compared because I have double the power on my stepped Rage. Chine walk is much less on stepped hull at high speeds. I probably wouldn't be alive if I went @ 90 mph in the old hull.
I regularly boat with a 1998 Magic 29' non-stepped. He's 800+HP & heavier, but runs close to me. We've noticed a huge decrease in prop slip on non-stepped hulls, but that isn't performance enhancing. He turns a 28p & I turn a 32p at equal rpm & nearly same mph. That equates to he's slipping lots less because his prop is not aerated like a stepped hull.