I am a Lake Michigan boater and I have had several Fountains in the past 38 Fever twin,42 Lightning Triple,47 Lightning Triple.
I am in the market again and wanted something more TRAILERABLE this time. I am considering the 35 but not sure if it is worth the extra clams for the Lightning.
I loved my 38 because it was so SOLID. The 42 and 47 were GREAT boats but had a bit more HULL FLEX THAN I LIKED.
I think the 35 will be a really FUN boat that we can use on Lake Michigan and tow it elsewhere for a vacation as well.
Let me know your thoughts as I have NEVER even been in a 35 before.
Jackhammer

35/38 Are My Wepons of Choice! I have a 35 non step And She is awesome in the Rough Stuff.also Like the 38 .. The 42 is a little harder to find dock space on the Lake. so I prefer the 35 or 38..

I've driven both and just prefer the feel of the classic, the looks of it, and the cockpit layout. Both are great boats though

John, I like both models, but I guess I'm a little more favored toward the old school look of the executioner style. There's gonna be a noticable difference in the ride for you going down from a 47 to the 35. But, then again the 35 is much more trailerable.

I was up in Waukegon at Shogren Performance Marine a couple times last week and he has a few new 35's in there that are really sharp. He's also got a few really clean lookin used ones in there too. It seems like Scott gets new boats in there everytime I stop in there.

Frank

I've not been in a twin step 35, but I do love my 35 single step Classic. Guess I'm a purist, I really like the look of the Executioner vs. the newer style Lightning.

I have a single step 35 with 525SC's and have one hell of a good time with it. some of the gas stations are not big enough to get in , but you should see the people look when I manage to get to the pump.

Frank,
Thanks for the advice!! I realize the 35 won't be like my 47 and I don't expect it to be.
Docking,trailering and Rack storing are important to me. The worst part of the 47 was that they could not rack store it.
I have never owned a 35 yet and I have always wanted one. I think it will be a great HANDLING boat. Kind of like a sports car.

John

John, you'll have fun in a 35, PLUS !!! you'll have more "air" time.

The 35 twin step has a much deeper and more roomy cockpit than the 35 Classic. The 35 twin step is also faster and will probably get better gas mileage than a 35 Classic. As far as handling goes...well...from my experiance and knowning some racers the 35 twin step is better in the rough than the 35 Classic. All the F2 teams that ran a 35 ran the 35 twin step.

My 35 works will in heavy stuff. But I did switch to 380 tabs you can push the nose down .