I am new to this size boat - 38'.
I presently have a Fountain 29' 1998 Fever with twin 454s
I am looking at moving up to a 38' for boating on the Great Lakes, mainly Lake Ontario and also Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe
Also to do some Poker runs.
I am looking at a 2000 38' twin step Fever with twin side by side 500 EFIs and also a twin step 2004 38' Lightnig with staggered 525s
Both have over 500 hours and the top end (whatever that means) has been done on the Fever and both top and bottom ends (again???) have been done on the Lightning.
Bravo 1s on the Fever and new outdrives on the Lightning
$30k US difference in asking price.
Both look clean in the pictures.
Will see the Fever next week in TN.
Have not yet seen the Lightning but it looks very clean
My questions relate to the differences between the two boats
Handling in Great Lakes water, etc.
Top end speed which is not really a priority for me but for future resale
In general how does a Fever compare to a Lightning in handling, etc.

Any other advice or comments would be great as this will be my first larger (above 29') performance boat.
I had a 36' Cruiser for over 20 years on Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay.
30' + - on other lakes and in Australia (Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne)
Been boating for over 60 years with smaller boats..

Thanks for your help.

The Fever will have a lot more room as its a side by side and the deck doesn't have the walk around, but it is also the small twin step hull. The Lightning is a large step I believe Semi stag in 2004. It will be faster and when you fly the boat it will be more level.

If cost is no issue I would do the lightning, resell will be better, handling will be better, speed will be better. The one downfall will be Whippled 525's will be HARD on the drives,,,,, do yourself a favor and start saving for IMCO's. One other, if I am right the whippled 525 need 93 octane, for us down here that is very hard to find on the water, we have 90 but not 93.

That may not be a issue for you.

A buddy of mine in Nashville has an '07 38 Lightning. Mitcher T paint, drop down bolsters on all 5 seats, intercom headsets, garmin - LOUD stereo.
Factory 600's - complete refresh last year with Stage 4 whipple kits and IMCO's. Boat runs in the teens. Listed on Facebook, as well as here on OSO https://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...ng-o77047.html

Sold new in Canada - go get it and take it home! :-)

I just realized the 525s on the Lightning are not Whippled.
I mixed it up with another boat I was looking at.
I can get 93 octane locally on the water on Lake Ontario in any event
thanks for the info Wildman

ALL IN
your buddy's boat looks great.
A bit over my budget unfortunately.

89 octane is fine for the 500's or 525's dont run 93 in them...........Im not a fountain guy but the newer boat with staggered 525 is what Id go for if its in the budget and insurance will be easier to get on the newer boat

What he said, non whippled 525’s can run 87, wasting money with 93.

Newer model, updated hull, updated deck, updated engines, same hours. If they're in similar condition, a 30k difference sounds sensible.
Go the Lightning if your budget allows for it but do lots of homework on the boat, get expert advice, maybe a leakdown test and survey.

Nice boat to be shopping for, good luck.

RR

P.S. Uluru, I know Port Phillip Bay very well, are your Great Lakes nastier on a typical angry day?

Hey RR
Good to hear from you
I got caught in the RIP one day in my 28' Markline being where I shouldn't have been.
Scared the living hell out of me.
I don't think there is anything like that on any of the Great Lakes that I have ever seen.
Have a good one.

The Rip is no place to be at the end of the outgoing tide. Glad you got home safely.
Enjoy your boat shopping.

Cheers, Jon.