32 active thunder or 35 fountain
 

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

Active Thunder all the way!! I owned one so yes I am going to say Active thunder but better ruff water ride more cabin space like how you have room in the engine compartment. The last thing is Pat the owner is always a phone call away goes out of his way no matter what it is and for that reason alone I'll be looking to purchase a used 37 next year. I'm not knocking fountains one bit just giving my 2 cents that's all. Look at it this way if your on the water all is good!!!

I have a friend with a 1997 32 AT and another friend with a 98 35 Fountain. Not knocking the Fountain but AT all the way...

I would pick the Active Thunder Also. Love the body lines. Also not knocking the Fountain. But the Active Thunder may also cost less? I could be wrong? Just depends on what's offered.

Active Thunder, no question.

AT becouse i think the fountion's r to narrow for my likeing with the walk around. IMO

AT has a walk around too. :evilb:

I honestly dont know if I would go back to a boat without one...

.??? What is this?

Not sure what the proper term is but it is a walkway around the cockpit and up to the bow. No climbing up over the dash/fairing or windshield. Great for docking or anchoring. I'm hoping to run into you this summer. Maybe one of Chips runs when I get her back together.

As a previous owner of a single step 35 Fountain, I'd have to qualify my answer with "What type of boating to you do?" Do you want speed? Do you overnight? Do you run on a big lake or ocean? Or do you run on a river or small lake?

We overnighted all the time on our 35, but it was TIGHT. Fortunately, my wife and I aren't big people, but still, only one person could move at a time below deck...and there are not many cabin ammenities in a Fountain. As for rough water ride...people will bag on Fountain vs a "bigger" boat, but really, its all in how you drive. Get a Fountain, even a 35, up on top of the waves and you will LOVE it. Just be prepared to DRIVE the boat...the 35 is super-responsive to tab and trim, and is a total blast to drive. You'll probably get a little more on the big end out of similar power in the Fountain, and, depending upon setup, it might be a little easier on drives as the AT is likely heavier.

If you want a wave-crusher that you can just chill out and steer around and then have a nice big space below deck for sleeping at night, the AT all the way.

Thunder all way around. Not that the Fountain is a bad boat but I don't like feeling as though I am going to fall out when I stand at the helm.
One of my best friends had a 35 and now has a 42 great boat but I would take a 32 Thunder over both of them. The 32 is the best all round hull out there, does it all in one package.

I understand....I hate that climb over myself.

Yea it would be nice to meet ya. I'm going to Boyne Thunder with Chip, Mark (38zr w/600s), and Matt (32 fountain)....are you going?

We are also doing Tres Martin June 1 and 2

I spend a ton of time at the DYC, my wife and I are members there and my daughter likes the pool. I have a well there too but rack store at Miller.

Sorry for the hijack.

I have to agree with you. Both the 35 and my other buddies 42 feel more like a sitdown boat. I am not tall (5'11") and I can't get that comfy spot in the bolster. One thing the 32 AT has for me is the perfect helm/bolster setup, better than my PP. Perfect comfort zone in any conditions. I have been up to 116 in V hulls and the Fountain is pretty sweet. The 42 is a monster and tracks like it is on rails. The 35 is almost as nice. One thing with the 32 AT I have noticed is a lil bow steer unless you have it trimmed out well.

I have plenty of time in both. If I could have the AT cockpit with the handling of the Powerplay and the Fountains speed it would be the PERFECT boat in that size...

You should start a thread on the fountain forum as well just to keep it fair;)

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.

No not going to make it. I do know those guys. Matt with the silver 32 XRT? We go back a lil haha. We also spend a bit of time at DYC. Hope to see ya soon.

100% agree...

I bet that most of the people that doubt the ride of a Fountain have never been on a Fountain...

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:

done :)

oh and j i am trying to put together a fun run on aug. 3rd that will be starting in the sandusky bay buy ceder point and going to ether pib or middle bass then ending up at kelleys at the one and only casino.... u should try to make it if i can get it to go down as planed.

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.

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)

your choice
 

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:

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.

Obviously, I would and did choose the 32 AT.
The 32 cabin is bigger than a 35 Fountain.
The cockpit is a LOT deeper and you always feel safe and secure in the boat.
The 32 AT is a WAVE CRUSHER as seen in pic. Those are honest 3-5's from all directions with the ocassional 6' hole and I was running 40-50mph.

thanks for all the help guys!! The biggest problem with the AT is finding one!

Yup. Few and far between. Griffs is for sale and there's 1 other 32 with 496s. Only 2 that I know of.

hmmmmmm,,,A/T has 34 replies and Fountain only 6....
must be that the Fountain guys dont have to pat themselves on the back on what boat they choose to own...

maybe the're too busy replacing rotten stringers!!

Know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run...:whistle:

hmmmm........ probably the AT.

rotten or broken???;)

Good Luck on finding your A/T

that only holds true if he was asking Fountain or PowerPlay..because if he was then Fountain would have to fold em

He left out the P word to give the other two a fighting chance, duh. :evilb: