What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

I am seriously looking @ the 38 avenger model now to replace my 2002 302 Baja. What and were do I need to look for problems with the boat or hull??? :confused: :confused:

Are extension boxess usefull on this Hull? and what benifits will be seen?what do they do??

Any advice would be Helpful

Thanks

Dave

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Howdy neighbor... we are in Lincolnshire.

What year are you looking at? The PQ 38 changed bottoms (straight to step) in ~1999 and they did not perform too great until 2001 (I beleive). I tested one in 2001 with 525 and it ran very nice in Lake Michigan. It hit 80 mph on GPS with 5 adults and 1/4 tank of gas in a 1-2 chop (perfect water for a big hull).

If you want a bit more room (length and cabin height) take a look at my 40 Hustler for sale :D

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

The ones I found are a 1999(500hp) and a 2001(502mpi)

Can the corrections be made to the hull on the 1999??

how $$$ to correct?

Dave

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Any step issues were corrected by PQ on owner request, most were fine. In 2000 the setps were changes some how, not sure but someone will most likley pipe in on that.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

The first step hull was the 98 model year. I think it is just having the bottom blue printed, money I dont know yet :rolleyes:

Rich.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

All of the modifications made to the hull for 2000 are not possible to do to a 98 or 99 boat.

98/99 models run good but 2000's and later will run better with same power.

On a 98/99 make sure the last 30"-36" of strake are cut off the bottom, and the sharper the edges, the less drag you have, particularly the trailing edge of the hull and notch.

We modified almost every hull out there from 98/99 and most bottoms were straightened and sharpened after being pulled from the mold.

The most important mod to the 2000 was to rocker the back section from the second step back. This provided better bow lift when on plane = less drag = more speed.

Every 38 (modified or not) rides very well, just depends if you are after every last mph or not...

Marc

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

I have a 99 and had the hull blue printed by the factory. As the previous post stated make sure the back 36 inches of the outer strakes are cut off. I replaced my stock 502's mpi's with 500 efi's. I am running 30 pitch lab finish bravo props. The boat runs 82 mph with two people in it with 1/4 tank of gas. The only problem with it is when it gets up to that speed is that it starts chime walking becasue of the pad. Its one of the fastest stock 380's out there.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

I am going to be putting my 95 up for sale in the next couple of weeks. It only has a small single step. Top speed is 66 on gps with new stock 502 efi's (40 hrs). I know it is not as fast as the 1999, to date, but a great ride in lake Mi chop, an easy cruse at 40 mph in 3 ft, and a bit more reasonable to get into. Let me know if anyone may be intereseted :cool:

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Single step on a 95? Never heard of that before, do you have any pics? As far as I've ever heard they built the straight V up until 98-99.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Are you talking about notched transom? Or were there some customized mods to that hull:D

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

There is your ticket Rich. BOW LIFT :D

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Well that says it all :cool:

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Rich - does your boat have Stellings boxes?

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Yes

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Yes 12" boxes, are you familliar with the boat? I was told it was built for Kevin in the fall of 98.


Rich.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

525SC?

I've definitely driven your boat when we had it at the factory.

We built a boat like that with boxes and 525's.

It ran very nice with the boxes.

Did the boat have lettering all over it when you got it?

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

MK,

How well did the 38' with the 525's run with the boxes? I have been thinking of adding some boxes to my 05'. It is the custom Poker run edition that was built for Riverview. I have been told that the hull that it got was different from the other 38's - is that true? I have taken a straight edge to it and it has either been worked or it is darn straight from the factory in the last four feet.

Tim

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

I've ridden in this boat and though it runs good, it seems like it should run better given the HP and the fact it has boxes on it. Nose lays flat in the water even when fully trimmed and tabs all the way up. Needs bow lift BAAAAAD. Hopefully those 5-blades will get the bow up and un-glue this bad boy of Rich's.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Yes it has 525sc in it. Yes it had some extra decals on it (gaffrig guages on the sides below the side clets) I believe it had some others on it at some time from what it looked like, fade before I buffed them out. Anything I should know about this boat? Thanks

Rich.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Did you ever have the bottom straightened and the strakes cut back?

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

I thought it ran good - it did run flat as previously mentioned, but it all 38's run pretty flat. I liked the feel of the drives being back another 12" - it was noticeable in rough water as it made the boat essentially feel a foot longer.

The boat I was referring to was a 1998 so it was before the mold was re-worked. It ran around 80-82mph if I recall correctly. It wasn't much if any faster than without boxes.

I have never driven a 2000 or newer with boxes so I don't know the impact they would have on the new hull. My guess is that you would see more of a gain in top speed on the new hull.

Mounting boxes after the engines are installed may prove to be a major redo. I think we had to lower the engines down more than normal to fit the boxes up under the swim platform. If you have to lower the engines, that means glass and recut the transom. No small job. I would talk with a shop that has installed them before to see what you are up against.

Marc

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

In 1998 we were one of the two pace boats for the world championships down in Biloxi, Mississippi.

I'm pretty sure your boat is the one we built as the pace boat.

It was also in the brochure in 1998 - I'll see if I can find one at home and scan it in.

After we put that boat together, we got orders to build others with the same graphics/colors/decals but without the boxes and motors.

Dennis Backis and I took the boat to Biloxi for the races and paced a number of the races that week.

Marc

Does your boat have McLeod bolsters?

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Yes Marc that would be the boat. Also remember we brought in Mel Riggs and Johnny Bacus from Mercury Racing to put that 38 together for Biloxi.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

MK,

Thanks for the informaiton.

Tim

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Yes it does

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Yes it does have Mcloed int. and I think it is the pace boat but the brocher boat had a windsheild and mine does not.

Rich.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

I could not find a 98 brochure just a 99.

It is on the cover of the 99 brochure, but it is a blurred picture so you cannot see it very well.

I thought we used a picture or 2 of your boat, but maybe we didn't.

Regardless, that is a very nice boat you have.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Thank you, I like it :D

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

And I here the P5s are working out very well. :D

Glad you found the right props for it. I ended up deciding to go with a 30 standard maximus. It will shave off 3 mph top end but the midrange and efficiency is better. Plus I am not sure they have the right labbed prop figured out yet, and I can always get one over the winter after we get a chance to get some more testing done. Maybe we can trade some day and see how that works out.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

I just traded for a 1999 28 twin 500hps 125 hours boat is very very clean dont think it needs any work I can if you are interested I love a good baja trade [email protected] 817-832-8526 cell

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

A twin screw 28? Do you mean 29???
And with 500's no less!! Got any pics?

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

I bet he means 38 not 28

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

One of the fastest :D :rolleyes: :evilb:

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Good bet ;)

http://www.fountaindealer.com/boat_s...ils.asp?id=358

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Here is what to look for on a 38....................
The FOR SALE sign!! And mine has one on it!
All the upgrades, PM me for info!!!
I know everyone says this but I dont think you will find a nicer 2000.
20 inch flat screen, total repaint from Mitcher T, 3 Optimas in billett boxes, big tunes (totaly custom), custom dash and tons more, plus the boat is mint!!

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

How about a Sunsation trade?? How long is the actual berth/bed area in a 38 PQ?

Mitch

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Berth is 6' 8" long, also wide, lots of room. Also great headroom in the entire PQ cabin.

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Thanks!! The headroom and a "real" Head is really the only reason I would look at trading,,we love our 32 Sun and overnite most weekends on it. Mary, can you stand up in the cabin? How tall would you say it is?

Thanks, Mitch

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

The headroom in cabin is 5'6" I cant stand in it but my wife, 5'2" has pleanty of headroom. In addition the cabin is much wider than the Formula's, Fountain's etc. PQ makes the most of the 8'6" beam. I am 6'6" . 240 # and have no problems with space. We overnight almost every time we go out. Also lots of storage.
And still 84 MPH

Re: What to look for on A 38 Avenger?
 

Storage?? That would be a first!! good pic's, thanks.