Bullet vs Fountain
 

OK Cigarette people, I have a question. For years I drove an older 35 Fountain. Loved the boat, hated the ride. Anything over 3 feet was brutal on the back. I moved up to a 41 Apache. Loved the boat, LOVED the ride. What can you really say here? Unfortunately, the size of that boat limits where I can boat, so I'm thinking about going back down in size. I would really like to be in the 30 foot range, and a Bullet would be perfect. Having never been on a Bullet, I need a comparable. Does it ride like an older Fountain (no vents), or more like a Cafe? Will it handle 3-4's OK, or am I just kidding myself?

Let me know what you think....

What apache do you have? What about a Cafe? 35 still to big? Im pretty sure the bullet weighs more then a 35 fountain. Also know a few guys with the bullets that ran in 4's.
-Mike

Current Apache has no name, but was Kageman. It is going to kill me to part with it (plus I am not sure my wife will let me). A 35 is just too big for inland lakes in our area.

Bullet I agree then is the best bet for what it seems you need. KReed just sold his Bullet, He said ran great in some of the bigger water.
-Mike

Great. thanks for the info.

How much does a bullet weigh? Fountain list a current 35 at 9500 lbs dry, I always thought that was heavy for the size boat it is.

I have a friend with a 35 cafe, doesn't seem to big for the lake.

I would think a bullet or a Sutphen would be about your best bet given the criteria. With that said, you'll know it when you're in 3-4's and anything more is pretty punishing IMO...

It's hard to downsize that much if you're use to riding in a 41, but I hear what you're saying about toting a 41 around and tring to use it in the smaller inland lakes.

Good luck and let us know what you do.

How about a an older 38 Top Gun?

ride
 

I have a couple buddies that had bullets and a buddy that had a 89 38 Fever. I have been on both in some nasty water, and I thought the Bullet rode and landed better than the Fountain. Sorry I haven't been on a 35 Fountain to compare the ride.

Wes

He has a 41 now, is looking at a 31, and said a cafe (35) is too big... so you suggest a 38? :lolhit:

I was hoping he'd want a 35 Cafe :coolcowboy:
-Mike

Since you're ready to sell it, you need to add the Cafe to your FS signature. :D

All I can say is we run in the ocean where a calm day is 2-3 foot swells and I never have any trouble keeping up with larger boats. I think my brochure lists mine at 8800# dry, but I think it is much heavier.

On a humerous note, I've done like 3 poker runs with ocean sections, and I don't think a Fountain ever beat me to the Ruddee card stop, even though some of them were like 30mph faster.

Your always good for a whitty comment arnt ya....
Maui Back on track Bullet will be best bet. I have a Factory Owners maule for my Cafe and it listed the Bullet as 8800 dry. Cafe was 9500 and the TG is 10500. Like I said im not sure on the Fountain but they are like my old hustler fast for a reason the dont weigh anything and you get the snot beat out of you on a dingy wake.
-Mike

hey mike,, just to let you know went ang got the cigarette saturday, loved the rides, took it out in 4 footers soon as i got it ,, you convinced me !! but next year theres deff going to be some bigger power in it

Good deal Kid, All 4 footers are to that is a good time. Now go out and beat those waves up and show'em whos boss
-Mike

Hey Guys. my actualy boat is a Café and my buddy drive a bullet. Our area is the baltic sea - really rough water. And what i have to say is, the bullet absolutly do the same great job like the Café in Big waters. Never seen a boat in the 30' range that have this sweet ride in the rough.

thankss mike!!
maui9-- if you are looking for a 31-33 footer i owned a scarab excel that was awesome in the rough water, i ahve bad knees so i needed something good in the water. i also road in a scarab thunder. same ride as a excel. after the scarab i went to a fountain , not good in the rough water but very fast. so my suggestion is to look into a scarab, even the av's arnt bad either

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/boa/2360227373.html
something like this maybe
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...under-96390970
or this

A bullet is hard to beat for it's size. I've been in some pretty nasty water at loto and it did just fine.

Bullet coming out of uphostery shop soon - for sale
 

I hope to have Bullet out of shop in next 3 weeks Will be accepting offers. Bought larger boat that I'm really happy with.

Bvinc, boat looks good. Did you get the interior done?

You'll be fine with a 31, just that on some days you will have to hang out on Pop's boat. BTW, 3-4's aren't much for "wife's" anyway. :D

This is a true statement!..... I cant say enough about the Bullet. Great boat for its size. Mine with 575's ran over 80, not bad for a 10K(loaded) boat..

Apache
 

I wouldn't think 4 extra feet is an issue - The only boat that is going to ride like the king of waves is a 35 Cafe - I want a 41 Apache as my next boat - Your more than welcome to run in my Cafe, bring the wife along too

Capt Greg
www.Fast1Charters.com