The wife and I will be looking for a 38 footer this fall. Now most of you guys know I,m a Formula guy, and my little 252 "Family Bowrider" isn't going anywhere. Mans gotta have his toy !

We are looking for a poker run/ big water boat to add to the fleet. MUST have A/C and cabin big enough for at least an over night stay.
My first and only thought was a 382 of course, but want to keep an open mind

Opinions Please !

Sonic 386

Top Gun


First ones that come to mind. Sonic will have a Massive cabin.

Depending on age and budget, Donzi 38ZX for size. Not many around but nice looking boat if you can find one.
Always love Fountains and there's always a few 42's on the market......

RR

Powerquest 380 Avenger. Huge cabin for overnighting, stepped hull can run 80s w/ moderate power. There's a nice one at Shogren's right now 80K. Also a tremendous value boat for what you and your family are wanting to do. We had one at our local lake for a few years (525sc boat). I was always amazed how large and fast that boat was for 38 feet. Have fun shopping!

Flat bottom post 1990 top gun would be my choice if the overnight was really important. If you can stand the more primitive cabins of the newer cigarettes then the 38 TopGun twin step is likely the gold standard of 38 footers

Whats your tow rig?

388 slingshot. It has all of that and still runs in the mid 80 s.

Small and tight cabin...use able but not big by any means

Of course I maybe a little partial but if your looking to do Poker Runs with a large cabin and a true 37' of length (no intergrated swim platform) you may want to check out the Outerlimits 37 Stiletto.

What are your performance expectations? 70mph, 80mph, 90mph +? What about handling?

Do you want a boat that porpoises like a dolphin at cruise speed? One that flys with the bow pointing at the sky off of waves?

Do you mind chine walking at top speed?

How about bilge room? Do you do your own maintainance? Do you mind working in a bilge that has only enough room for a 6 year old Asian boy?

How about cabin size? do you want to stand up in the cabin, and flip pancakes in the morning, and put on a crock pot of chili for the day? Or are you looking for a place for you and your life partner to crash after a night of drinking chardonnay?

Do you prefer a vessel with a decent windshield to keep your wig in place during a poker run, or a race style fairing that will require you to wear speedy gonzales type goggles and race intercoms while heading to the sandbar?

What kind of engine package do you prefer? Some station wagon style big blocks, that remind you of a 1984 suburban with a hole in the muffler, or some all out race engines, that sound like a top fuel dragster at the launch ramp, and generally will leave you with broken drives and an empty wallet?

Drive package? Do you mind driving and working the throttles as if the sticks are made from flourescent light tubes, or do you want to drive like Bob Saccenti in the Miami to bimini offshore challenge working those things over like your using a plastic butterknife to saw thru a chunk of stainless steel?

We need details man.