Thoughts on a 382 Fastech
 

I Have had many boats over the years the last few have been fountains 33/35s thinking of a 38 Fastech this time around 2 Im looking at one 97 and one 98 both w/500 hps Looking for opinions of this model resale, ride, . also thoughts on a 35 Fastech as well Thanks Bob.

If a cabin is important then the 382 is for you. A 353 is the better performer and more "agile". The 353 will be 4-5 mph faster with the same power and feels more nimble in turns. The 382 is a wave crusher that still moves well but lets you relax in A/C while pulling beers out of the frig during commercials on the TV.
We overnight a bit and love our 382....it's for sale since our overnighters are often with 3 kids and a 370SS is on the radar.

I would add that the 382 CRUSHES waves because it is HEAVY. Mine is around 15K on a steel trailer and full gas. IMHO a 1 ton diesel duelly is the minimum tow vehicle. You hear from a lot of people that you don't need DRW, and I have seen one 382 towed with a 3/4T Suburban(Big Block) but none of those vehicles are RATED by the manufacture to tow that much weight. I unintentionallly got into a Ford vs Chevy contest on this subject last week. Just so that I don't stir that conversation up again please check the manufactures specs yourself. Specifically the small print that says ""when properly equiped" & conventional hitch vs 5th wheel. You will note that few if any 38's are on a gooseneck trailer.

Bottom line. I cannot imagine a better cruising boat. I believe the fuel economy is about 1 MPG if I am cruising in the low to mid 30's. That's about the same as my friend with a 37' Nordic Tug doing 10 knots

Tow Truck Is Not a issue I have a EXT cab Duramax Dually 4x4 so think I have it covered ,t 500hp What are you asking for yours? the boat on LI im looking at I Had a interesting call w a broker who told me dont bother to look at the boat if The # the customer is asking is not what your prepaired to pay If you get real call me(He said) I will set up a meeting(I know where the boat is and the owners name Tempted to go around the broker.. I think it the Yankee trader in me the boat prices are always asking unless it is perfect (New) .What your saying is what I was picturing for performance How is time to plane and visability on accl? My Fountains were never bow hi and time to plane was good. thanks for the input

I spent a couple of years looking for the right boat. I didn't notice much of a connection between equipment and asking price. In fact asking prices seemed to be based more on what the other guy was asking than what boats were actually selling for
There were a couple on Long Is. that were so over priced I do not think they will ever sell. Not only are they salt water boats, but they were not well equiped. If you are patient the right boat will come along. With gas prices the way they are maybe sooner than you think.

You should Consider:
stepped hull Beginning in 1997 7% more efficient (Faster)
Modern helm (white) starting in 1998 (I think)
Trailer (aluminum preferred for weight)
Generator (mainly so my wife could run her hair dryer and
curling iron.
A/C
Blue motors (the 500's are pretty reliable but they are
expensive)
Canvas all have a cockpit cover some have mooring covers
and a few have the camper canvas
Ext boxes
Vacuflush Head. It's a nice head but takes up space in the engine room right in front of the starboard motor which is aggravating.

I have not had my 38 long enough to offer much advice but I hope this helps.

To much info to re-type so follow the link. If your interested feel free to "call me out" by asking the general population here or on Speedwake what they know about me or the boat. I'm confident you'll hear nothing but good things.

http://www.speedwake.com/newclassifi...hp?product=591

The wife's daily driver is a 3/4 burb and WAS our tow vehicle...soon after stepping up to the 382 I had to go buy a truck. Ended up with a F-350 Lariat 4-door DRW PSD. Now towing is a breeze in comparison...that Burb was s.t.r.u.g.g.l.i.n.g!!!

Just my .02 but t500's boat has everything you are looking for. I forgot the S/S windshield. It's not necessary but they sure look great!

Some of those LI boats are in the same ballpark pricewise for older less well equipped saltwater boats.

I guess ease of towing is a matter of experience. My friend with the "Burb" swears it tows great. I towed my boat home for the first time with a 3/4T PU and knew before I got off the boat ramp that it was going to talke a lot more than that. Yesterday I towed it to the marina with the same rig t500 has. It was smooth as silk. I can't believe that your Chevy will do any worse

Another OSO member, Tarheel, went from a 35 Fountain to a 382, had it about 2 seasons, went back to a 42 Fountain. PM him about his experiences with the Formula. He didnt have any problems with the boat, just a bigger change than he anticipated.:p:p

According to Reggie the 42 Lightening is 1000# heavier than the 382! Add the extra trailer & gas you are probably 16 - 18k. Probably need a gooseneck and an F450 or equivelant to pull that. Did Tarheel say why he switched?

42 lightnings Tow ok with a Dually have pulled several with my truck and they tow fine I think it will do ok with a 382 as well

How about this babied fully loaded 2001 with 3300 whipples?

she looks nice but a little too far away shipping wise I think

I am afraid of Superchargers. The aircraft engines I am familar with are rated for about 30% less hours than the injected versions of the same motor.

Shipping doesn't need to deter you from getting the right boat. In my quest for a 382 I looked at a 1996 w/ 600's near Sacramento CA. I got an estimate of $3500.00 to ship to the East coast.

BTW if that one is still available you might consider it. It looked nearly new.

went back and re-read you original post.....re-sale? Resale on them all suck!!! Your looking at Formulas and Fountains. I don't think resale on one is necessarily better than the other. My opinion is that since Formula makes less boats therefore there will be less of them on the market when you go to sell.....not sure if that really makes a difference in what they will sell for though.

I guess my question more is when one goes up for sale how much interest is there?? My fountains both sold fairly fast when I put them on the market I have been told the fastech market is a lot slower Looks like a great boat just wondering if this is true
Thanks

I am Considering it I, wish my comunication with the broker went better

Blown,

I made the shift from a 2001 35 Classic with 500HPs to a 2004 382 with 525EFI's. The boat was ordered with no Generator. I talked myself into it thinking that the service was going to be better in the DC area since there area few Formula dealers here.

The boat came from the factory under propped with 31 labbed Bravos and ran about 70 mph @ 4900 RPM. I had to work with Throttle Up on my own coin to figure out the props...5 bladed 28's...the boat then ran 81.

Then the boat started leaking anti-freeze from the closed cooling systems. Ends up both motors were overfilled at the factory and they damaged the reliefs in the expansion tanks so the fluid just ran out of the tanks when hot. Took the boat back three times before I figured out that the dealer didn't have a 525 EFI certified mechanic. So the purchase experience was iffy for me. A used boat would have these kinks worked out.

The ride is the thing you'd have to get used to. The 382 is a much heavier boat at 15K lbs loaded so to me it rides like a marshmellow compared to the 35 Fountain. Couldn't really feel the trim, or cavitation when over trimmed. With the Fountain, you know instantaneously that your overtrimmed because you can feel the props.

The other issue was fuel mileage. My standard run down river with the Fountain was 30 miles on about 20 gallons at cruise. The 382 was barely 1MPG...cruise at 45 with no generator...so every outing was 1/4 tank of gas.

Final comment, When i traded the boat with Shogren, their concern was that Formala has not updated the hull in over 5 years so I took a beating on the trade in. Again, that has already been absorbed by previous opwners with a used boat. I'm not trying to steer you from the 382, just MAkE SURE YOU RIDE IN ONE before making the leap...its a completely different ride. Better get a dually too to pull that thing.

Bill Thanks Im doing the same change 35 to this, Thanks For the input My concern is that the ride will be so dramatically different I wont be happy I was however looking forward to the extra room in the cabin I will take your advise and drive one first .The 38 fountain will possibly be my way to go But keeping my eyes open in the mean time Thanks again!
Bob

The only 38 fountain I was in was a straight bottom with #4's on the back. Rode OK, but the Formula does handle rough water better.....that would also explain what Tarheel experienced with less fuel mileage and a "heavier" feel. The prop and engine issues he had were not Formula necessarily but could be the fault of other parties (dealer/ merc, etc???) Since he's in N. VA I would assume the dealer was Full Tilt....and they sucked. (just lost the Formula line too!)

My buddies 38 Foutain had been totally re-done and was a nice boat but I felt his cabin was about the size of the Formula 312 I had at the time.

Speed/performance most important..stay with Fountain
Comfort/ammenities...switch to Formula

Speed/performance most important..stay with Fountain
Comfort/amenities...switch to Formula
Kind of what I was thinking Im going to try to run both boats and look at the cabins in both we are a fountain dealer where I work So the line and the feel of the boat in the Sport line I Have driven them all (also A 38 sc :eek:) so the formulas will be a new Try for me What Bill Was saying is Kind of what I was expecting I did have a older 35 non step and she was a heavy layup and I was thinking (Hoping) the 38 formula would feel about the same The last boat I had was a newer Executioner w a single step and a lot lighter feeling

A straight bottom Fountain would be close to a stepped hull Formula IMO. My 382 will be in the water as soon as I get a 65-70 degree weekend....it's a long haul, but your welcome to come take a ride.

As for that Fountain 38 SC...I could do that (or the Formula 370SS). I'm willing to slow down some to get a stand-up cabin. We had express cruiser for years and guess I'm looking to split the difference between the 2 types now.

Thanks For the invite ! I have a 97 local that I am looking at and we are several weeks from water up here rivers are open but a few before ice out , Im just starting boat get ready season so what little free time I have had is about to evaporate,thanks again! Bob
Ps I could set you up with a test drive of a 38 Fountain(pc) If you ever wanted one We always have 1 new in stock as well as several used units (Broker) at any given time..
No problem Ever to do that !

Yep, I wasn't going to bash them.

Gotta give credit to Formula for the cabin. The convertible mid-berth was at least a queen size bed.

Maybe a 353 gets it done for you. A little lighter but a bigger cabin than your 35 Ex.

Also, think about the silent thunder...that's about 300 lbs of water your draggin around. I ordered my 382 without the box trying to get a little more performance.

Thanks Bill.:drink:.I dont know if Reggie has senced a rift in the force yet that one of his Fathfull was leaning away.. LOL:eek:

Oh say it ain't so :eek:, you leaving the faithful band of beakers.

My 38 off to Winni yet? Give the guy two or three free cans of wax and don't teach him how to work the chitter. Do your absolute best to impress upon him that cleanliness is next to Godliness when it comes to boats. My future is in your hands, don't let me down here, I've been rolling change since November anticipating this. :D

Dam.. Your in the loop I only worked him last weekend and Dan and Rick Solidifyed the deal this week! He is a Great Guy and Verry Picky about His boats and BMW, His Ski Boat looks better than New And im replaceing his speaker grills Cause the tiny fo screws are different colors than the real ones in the grills (Nuff Said) I anticipate it will look as new In as many years as he Owns it ! (Your In Good Shape!) As for Say it aint so ..... It aint over till the Fat lady sings . I still have to ride one to get the Whole Picture Tarheel (Bill) Gave me some good insight going from a Fountain to A 382 so we will see where this goes..The others here have been great also and given me great info as well.. A little like going from BMW to Benz..

Hey I've got to keep track of the future prospects, picky is when you start to worry about the boat before the other guy even gets it. :D Sounds like you guys picked the right guy to protect my interests.


Back to the one I do own...............So who is the "go to guy" at Fountain for prop info? Rick gave me a name before but I can't find it, kept getting the phone shuffle all week. I really didn't need to know that it went out the door with 32 Bravos.

Do you know if you can put the Fountain bolt back lit units in this boat where the speakers are in the cockpit? Don't really like the looks of the speakers and thought I might move them.

As far as the 382, try it out and see if it's where you want to be right now. I'm sure it's not going to handle like a go cart but they are a roomy wave crusher.

the Name is Brian Forhand At Fountain
Thanks For the input!! I Have been on the water all day at cobalt demo day ! Nice Teaser!

Bob you da man! Thanks, I'll try that on monday. What does this guy do at Fountain? If I tell him I'm your best bud will he send me some of those Herrings to try? :D


A Cobalt is not so bad, could have been a used Bayliner. I saw spits of that white chit early this morning.

Brian Is Reggies #2 In charge of most eveything at the plant his Actual job was lead tech before Reggie promoted him

Can you check this deal out for me as well, Thanks !

I Think they will work we have put speakers where they fit..