Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

What is the approximate speed of a 38' with 500's? Thanks.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

around 82 + or -, from what i have experienced.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Thank you. There is one on the Lake that is interested in racing. Just wondered what to expect.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Going to take a pass through the speed traps? Good for you. And have your way with a woman afterwards.To the victor goes the spoiles.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Good analogy! I have to get my engines back in the boat before I can do anything. Just trying to make the rest of the summer exciting.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

I have a 2001 38 w/ stock 500 EFI's, 26" Hydros and with 50 gls it will run 86.3 GPS, with 150 gls, it will do 83.8 GPS

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

This is from the Fountain adds of the time for 38 Fevers and Lightnings.
38 Fever
LOA: 38' / 11.58 m
Beam: 8'6" / 2.6 m
Weight: 8,200 lbs. / 3,719 kgs
Fuel capacity: 174 gals. / 659 l
Recommended power: twin 500 EFI Mercurys with Bravo One drives
Speed - 81+ MPH

38 Lightning

LOA: 38' / 11.58 m
Beam: 8'6" / 2.6 m
Weight: 8,500 lbs. / 3,856 kgs
Fuel capacity: 190 gals. / 719 l
Recommended power: twin 500 EFI Mercurys with Bravo One drives
Speed - 81+ MPH

Note that those speeds are with one person on board and very light fuel at sea level. For most people they would never have seen even those speeds.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

That is a difference in speed. Ranging from 81-86.

Marginmn - are you saying that the posted speeds of 81 was too fast? It seems like the boat would run that fast. They must have changed the hull since 1999. The new 38' is quite fast.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

I agree with Marginmn, rarely does the average guy obtain the speed Fountain claims unless the boat is dialed in. My .02
Rebel did you hit the water yet??

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Yes Rebel, they changed to 38 hulls in 2002 to the bigger steps. The older smaller stepped hulls are solid running boats but most people with 500's see 81-ish tops. Those speeds were directly from Reggie's brochure - he doesn't make a habit of under-estimating the speed of his boats.

As for 86 with stock 500's and 26 hydros - he either has a faulty gps or a slip rate that the rest of us can only dream of. I've been in several 2000 38's repowered with 575's and they only saw 86-87. My friends 2001 lightning with 500 efi's runs around 78 here on Cumberland. I guess at sea level you might see a couple more mph.

The 2007 38 has a new hull and is a full stagger. It's a fast boat but it has the cockpit room of a 27.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Great information. My 35' 2001 Classic prior to my new engines had an upgrade from Arizona Speed and was running 78 gps. I guess, I must have had about 470 hp with that set up.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Interesting. I have a friend with a 2003 Cigarette twin step Top gun with 575's and he says it runs ~90. Wonder if that's possible?

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Ran Dom - I did hit the water a couple of weeks ago, however, after 2 hours of playing with props, came back to the dock. The next morning, I checked the oil and found milk shake on the dip sticks. In some of my other posts, we've thought that it as a water pressure issue. I will try again next weekend. Also, had a idle problem with one engine, hopefully has been corrected.

What a summer................

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Robert,

my boat 38 ' 1989 was reported by Reggie himself at WOT
67mph the original 365's never saw more than 64 mph !
Any how the rigging is all most done for inter coolers and -2 sport masters , which was all inspired by your feed back on your shorties experiences thanks in advance and will post in near future what has develop

thanks again
Howard

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Good luck Howard, I hope it works out.

Re: Speed of 38 1999 Fountain?
 

Drove a 2000 38 with HP's @ LOTO earlier in about 90 degree heat. I saw about 78 all day on average for "Real speed conditions". Drop load and most fuel and get less humidity 80 at most on that boat.

Just keepin it real. I think most would agree those are real conditions speed.