Offshoreonly.com - 32 active thunder or 35 fountain

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- - 32 active thunder or 35 fountain (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/active-thunder/295237-32-active-thunder-35-fountain.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1989mach1 (Post 3913167)

u right j u right....i didnt know they did have one too i knew the sonic's and the fountian's had them but not the AT's. i went on both 2 years ago in search of my new boat and the AT cabin seamed bigger. am i wrong about that too :lolhit:

Cabin? Fountain is way small. AT is ok with a sink and head. PP is biggest but lacks amenities...

my zx is pretty roomy to and i have the head,a/c,fridge,microwave, and a cook top.

its nice having the 9' 3" beam and a really deep hull

IMO we use to own a 38 fountain and the 32 is what sold us on active thunder great boats.

The only Fountain I've beenin was a 42. It rode sweet but my the cockpit in my 28 is probably a foot deeper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vette131 (Post 3913161)

Most of our boating is on a very big lake that can get very rough. my concern is being bored with driving it. I'm coming from a 26 American Offshore that is a blast to drive but requires skill to handle in the rough. I'm looking for something that can handle the rough but you have to drive it not just point & go. I like the deep cockpit of the AT but have never been in one. I've driven a couple 33 powerplays & I love them except for the driving position & somewhat shallow cockpit. There's nothing like running a boat with good balance that responds to the trim & throttles.

One of my WIFE'S biggest concerns with us moving into the 37 AT was whether or not I'd have any fun driving it. Before we bought the Fountain, we test drove a couple 35 Cigs, and while they have great rough water performance, in flat water it was about as fun as driving a dump truck. 2-3 footers in the 35 Beaker is a blast if you wanna drive...in my bud's 42, he can just take his hands off the throttles at 60 mph, while I was launching and DRIVING. I don't have a lot of time behind the wheel of the 37 yet, and NONE on my home waters, but I think Lake Michigan will likely provide enough big water to keep things interesting in the bigger boat and prevent "boredom" (I can't even believe I used that word when refering to these boats! Lol. Spoiled)

Quote:

Originally Posted by vette131 (Post 3913008)

which would you choose & why? talking about single step 35

You can't really go wrong with either boat. Both have classic lines, the 35 with a fairing looks awesome. The 35 will run away from the thunder with the same power. That being said, having driven a 35 for a distance and owning an AT, I personally like the feeling of the AT's deep cockpit, You are really "in the boat" at the helm. It's really a matter of comfort for your choice (deep cockpit,right hand throttles vs. shallower cockpit and left hand throttles), and the difference of having a production boat or one that is more exclusive. Both will hold their value, but I like pulling up somewhere and not seeing three or four of my boat already there.....:cool:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somethin' Sexy (Post 3913424)

I agree, both are great boats, & great looking as well, I had a '99 35 Single step ran MID 80's & was a really fun boat to drive, (my 42 is boring unless your in big water but keeps the wife happy) , I would look for a twin step 35, modern looking & a very fast hull, I personally would not buy a non step hull of any brand, it just does'nt make sense when you can ran same HP & have a 5+ MPH advantage, my .02

There is some skewing here as some people are comparing the 37 AT to the 35 Fountain.

Some facts:
The 32 AT is a deeper boat. You will be more IN the 32 AT, vs. ON the 35 Fountain.
The 32 AT rides like a bigger boat. It's a wave crusher of a hull.
The 35 Fountain will be faster, HP for HP all things equal.
The 35 Fountain will be "wetter." OSO member ActiveShack had a 35 Fountain, and he said in the chop and slop, the boat was always throwing water in the cockpit and over the boat. Those are his words, not mine. I've never seen, or heard this complaint of the 32 AT.
The 32 AT will be a bit easier to work on. Get inside the bilge on both boats and picture yourself changing sparkplugs and impellers.
(Couple good pics of 32 AT access here: http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/a...pic-heavy.html )

Depending on the 32 AT you are looking at... side entry or center entry, the cabin will have a completely different "feel" compared to the Fountain.

Good luck with your decision. You can't go wrong either way--all depends how you want the boat to perform for your needs.

this is an interesting thread and I'm enjoying the info. I'm surprised that people say the Fountain has a small cabin. I always thought that cabin looked really luxurious and roomy (never been in one). My impression of the Powerplay has always been that it looks really low and small. Never been on one of them either! The AT looks very deep and large. I have no valuable insight here, just commenting from a newbie.