Cig experts,

I am looking into purchasing a Top Gun. What are the variables at play for purchasing a straight bottom Gun? Do these boats have any wood in the hull? Most of the boats do not have the stock power that they came with. How do you assess the drives and engines? Paint also seems a big question that dates the boat positively or negatively, do prices reflect this?

The boat will mostly be used at my cottage on Lake Simcoe, Georgian Bay and possibly a few trips to South Florida during the winters.

I currently have a Mastercraft x45. The Cig will be a new edition. I am hoping to find a good and cheap Top Gun if possible. What I really mean is a reliable boat.....the season is too short for dealing with break downs.

Thanks for your comments.

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/30898

problem solved

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/c...onna-move.html
This is what you need right here. It doesn't get any more reliable than this and I think it's the best deal out there for the money. Good luck with your search.

There's definitely some things you'll want to consider before you make your purchase. Prices on straight bottom guns are all over the map. Some thing to consider:
Guns began to be built in 87, they pretty much all has speed master drives or TRS's. Bravos came out in late 80's and started showing up on guns in 89/90. The thing about TRS, is they haven't been made in a loooooong time and parts are eventually going to get scarce. Thing about bravo drives is guns are heavy and tend to eat them. Also the guns CG was set up to have transmissions and since bravos don't have them it messed with the CG a little. Not a huge deal but it is what it is.

The guns cabin changed from the typical two beeches, an enclosed head and a bed to (in my opinion) the best cabin layout in the history of performance boats in 1990. They also changed the bolsters from the low back style to the style with a "head rest" and the grab handles/life lines from the round stainless style to the flat low profile style in the early 90's. This was the setup from the early 90's to 2000 when they changed the bottom to stepped and changed the interior to "half cabin" cover girl layout (crappy cabin my .02).

Cigarette does use balsa coring so there is wood in the transom, stringers, etc. You can test the transom prior to buying with a moisture reader to see if it's wet or should I say how wet it'll be

Some common motors used on flat bottom guns were the 420, 454, 502 hawk 525 and the merc 525s /600's to name a few. Most straight guns have had the motors replaced or rebuilt because a) they're up to 25 years old b)high hours or c) owners wanted more power so they were built up.

A lot of guns have been re-done with new interior gauges, paint, drives motors etc. Like the boat jbraun posted.

When buying you get a leak down and survey to confirm the condition of the boat/motors but there's always a chance there's unseen issues when buying a used boat. It just is what it is.

I'm a pretty firm believer in the theory you get what you pay for when it comes to buying used boats. With that said, There's a couple deals out there right now on decent boats. I actually think my old gun Jason re-did is a great deal for how he basically re did every nut and bolt. It's more money than some but again, you're getting what you pay for.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o58142-en.html

Anyway, hopefully that helps a little.

Good & cheap don't really go together especially when it comes to a speed boat

If you want Cheap----Find another Hobby!!

88bullet, love the paint
Jbraun, looks cheap and reliable to me
Tank, thanks, the info is very helpful
LS & Q see Jbraun

sent you a private message

Blue dog where on Simcoe is your cottage , I am in Jackson's Point . I keep my Flat Deck at Bonnie Boats . Simcoe is a Great Lake for a Cig .
Rick G.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o57683-en.html

Boat has good power, fairly low hours & closed cooling for your Florida boating. Boat is in great shape.