29 Fever
#12
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Location: Hopkinsville, Ky
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#13
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I looked at a 2006 29' yesterday in Norfolk and I must say I was disappointed. The windshield frame had lots bubbling paint, the rubrail had lots of dings and water was leaking through the hatch. This boat had about 50 hrs on it. What's the deal with the windshield? Have others experienced this problem?
I also looked at a 2007 288 Sunsation. I must say I was impressed and starting to lean towards them. I haven't heard a bad word about Sunsation. Fountain owners care to chime in?
I also looked at a 2007 288 Sunsation. I must say I was impressed and starting to lean towards them. I haven't heard a bad word about Sunsation. Fountain owners care to chime in?
#14
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Sunsations are nice boats. I looked at them too before I bought my 29. In my opinion, I thought you got more for your money with Fountain - better rigging, more standard equipment, a little faster and solid in big water. Some of the nice features you don't see on every Sunsation - fresh water flush, 110V battery charger, jumper cables, sea strainer, hydo steering, etc. Kick the tires version in a boat....tap the sides of the boats - Fountain sounded more solid. Plus I really liked the Patriot graphics that will never go out of style or date the boat. I just felt more secure in the Fountain. Sunsation seemed to be closer to a good lake boat. Can't beat their MCOB version if you want a stylish bowrider.
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I have seen some of the full frame Fountain windshields have bubbling of the powdercoat - doesn't necessarily have to be a saltwater boat to have the bubbling, freshwater boats seem to get it too. The powdercoated breaker panel under the rear seat seems to bubble quite often too. Once you get a breach in the powdercoat, it starts. Another cause may be that they don't get the aluminum quite clean enough prior to powdercoating, sometimes -it doesn't take much. I would think that dings on the rubrail and a leaking hatch would be more owner related, not Fountain's fault. 5 of the 9 boats I've had in the past 12 years have been fountains' and overall, I still think they are a better brand of performance boat, for the money. In that mix of boats, I had a 2002 Formula 292 with twin 6.2's, and went back to Fountain for the last 2 boats. Next boat will be another Fountain, unless I win the lottery!
Last edited by bob_t; 02-01-2009 at 09:14 PM.
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I finally bought a boat and it's not a Fountain. I bought a 2005Sunsation Dominator with twin 496HOs. I found that the Sunsation customer service is unbeatable and that the Dominator is a solid and well built boat. Hope to see you guys on the water this summer.