2007 35 Lightning
 

Was at the LA boat show earlier today. Fountain was represented and they were offering a loaded 07 35 Lightning with staggered 496 Mag HOs, X drives and your choice of paint for $188,000. The same boat with 525s was $230,000.

I understand the 496 boat is good to 93 MPH and the 525 boat does better than 101.

I'm considering taking the plunge - I'm actually showing mine to a friend of a friend from out of town next weekend.

Although I'd love to have the 525s, I'm partial to the 496s because of insurance and maint. costs.

Anyone out there have one of these yet? If so, how about your take on it? Thanks, Rick

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

couple more

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Hi Rick, How is the room (leg room) behind the helm? I do not fit is the 35EX but was wondering if there is more room in the new 35 Lightning.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Do it! That is an awesome boat. Go for the 525s, they are supposed to be much better motors.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Quantify "better" in 42 thousand dollar bill increments would you? :D

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Yea - uh huh - you must know something the rest of us dont know that makes those 525 better motors - like another 8 miles an hour for 42 grand and lets not forget about valve train overhaul and headwork that will have to be done at 200 hours. What are you running anyway?

Rick - Go for it - Either motor - they both have their great points - 496s will be easy and much less expensive to insure - and hell 93 with practically no maintenance while burning 22 gph - where can you go wrong. 525s will give you bragging rights with a 100mph top end. You lucky dog you.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

93 with 496's.....how can ya beat that? Simply awesome!

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Rick,
Awesome boat and with 496's running 93 you can't go wrong. There are also upgraded power packages for the 496's if you decide you want to run north of 100 mph later on.

Post some picks if you get it.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Was in one at the NY boat show and it had a lot of room,but you are taller than me I am 6". going to AC show tomorow I think they will have both an EX and the new 35 so I will let you now the difference

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Hey Mike,

It didn't seem to be any different than my 96. However, I'm 6 foot even (230) and it works ok for me.

The Dealer did say the cabin was 6 inches higher but I couldn't really tell. However, I have all girls and they are happy with the current size so it isn't an issue.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Gotta say either one is a little bit of a stretch. I am looking at financing $100,000 +/- regardless. As such, the 496s just make more sense for me.

They require almost zero maintenance (over and above fluid changes) and my current $300k insurance package on them (in my 96) runs less than $900 a year.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Mike,
where going too the St Louis boat show this coming Friday / Saturday and hopefully Raymond's will have a 35 L there. If they do I'll let you know how the fit is behind the helm.

Eugene

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Thats a great point!

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

I have 496's in my 06 lightning and couldn't be happier. Gas and go! Yes, cheaper to insure, operate, and 5 year warranty baby!

Over 90 in the new staggered setup and so bad. The coin saved over the 525's buys a lot of gas or a really nice trailer for it.

The new boat's interior is significantly smaller than last years 35. Everything is pushed forward but the space behind the helm is about the same. They robbed the space from just about everywhere else. On my boat if feels like you have a lot of nose out front, in the new boat you feel like you are sitting exactly amidship.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Hi Rick,
Congratulations on the new to be Lightning. What dealer are you working with? There isn't any in So-Cal is there? I took mine to Cataling yesterday (Saturday 2-3-07) Had a really fun trip. It was really nice going over, kind of rough on the return, but still fun.
David

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...in005Small.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...in007Small.jpg

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

[QUOTE=Dkahnjob;2015356]Hi Rick,
Congratulations on the new to be Lightning. What dealer are you working with? There isn't any in So-Cal is there? I took mine to Cataling yesterday (Saturday 2-3-07) Had a really fun trip. It was really nice going over, kind of rough on the return, but still fun.
David

David,

Haven't made the decision yet - only considering at this point. (I would really like to make this happen though.....)

Like alot of people looking to move up, It's going to come down to what I can get for my current boat and how quickly I can sell it.

I spoke with Joe Malich at the show. He owns PowerBoatsNW in Washington. Seemed like a pretty straight forward individual.

I go to Catalina quite a bit. Even in the summer it can rough in the late afternoon. We'll have to hook up at some point.

Rick

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

David -

Here's a Catalina shot from last February. Cold, foggy and rough (on the way back), but fun none the less..

Rick

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Rick,
When you go over to Catalina do you go from San Pedro or Marina Del Rey. I am thinking it may be better to go over from San Pedro only because the trip back would be shorter. It was no problem for me, but my wife wasn't along, and she broke her back a couple of years ago, so the rough ride might not be too good for her.
Let me know when you go over next time and I will see if I can run over with you. We are near by, since I am in West Hills.
Dave
818-464-5246 cell
[email protected]

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

David,

If I'm looking to go quickly, I launch from Davies in Long Beach. They have plenty of parking and good wash out facilities. On a good day, it's about a 25 minute run from break water to break water.

However, I like the ride from Marina Del Rey. We head south along the shore line all the way to the Palos Verdes point and then hit a direct heading (I think it's 193) to Avalon. By staying close to the shore for the first segment, you get the protection of the bay - so even if it's rough in the channel, you don't take the full brunt. The whole run takes about an hour on a good day.

Even if you decide not to make the whole trip, you can stop at Redondo Beach before heading back. It's protected by the bay so it's an easy trip.

Here's a shot of my wife and kids from 3 weeks ago (in Redondo). The channel was just too rough to cross to Catalina so we turned around.

The blanket on the sun pad was soaking wet from taking wind whipped white cap spray from over the bow...

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Rick,
Good looking boat and crew.
Your boat looks identical to mine, can you answer a couple of questions for me?
1. Where does the ice chest drain to. Is it the front bilge? When I pour water into it I can't figure out where it is going, doesn't go out on the ground through any of the through hull fittings.
2. There is a small aft facing drain up near the bow down low on the port side, the owners manual says it is a drain for the anchor locker, but I don't think my boat has an anchor locker, not up front anyway. So what is that drain for?

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

That is a GREAT LOOKING BOAT!!!

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Dave.. you have the same setup as I do Curious? what is your hull ID # would be interesting to know How far apart in the build they Were for 2000.. the small drain in the front of the port bow is to vent the area in front of the V birth so condensation does not form.. The cooler drains into the bulge.. Hope this helps answer your Questions.
Bob
My HID# is 35x18c

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

It is 21 damn degrees here in Maryland and you 2 are living it up while I am freezing my nuts off.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

LOL- :D

What did Loraina Bobbit say ?


It won't be long now....

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Hi Bob,
WOW, same boat, I like it. My hull ID # is 35X20C, only two serial numbers apart.
The ice chest drain, is that to the bilge in the cabin under the step, or the rear bilge by the engines?
There always seems to be a little water in the cabin bilge, not sure if it just hasn't had a chance to dry out or if it comes from the ice chest.
Thanks,
Dave

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Possibly identical the boats in this Number run were built as a spring stocking special for Dealers who ordered boats at the fall dealer meeting in 99 there were 3 boats built with patriot graphics in that production run all w/500 carbs Pretty cool!
The drain runs back the stringer under the bulkhead and back to the builge (in my last boat) I have not looked in this one yet but I dont ever have any water in the step locker.. what does your boat run speed wise? in 83-4 at sealevel..
Nice Boat!
Bob

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Dave / Bob -

I get water in the bilge under the step. You can see it through the brass fitting set in the center at the bottom. I always thought it was the result of water traveling from the stern bilge (backwards through the hose) during normal operations. I get it to drain by jacking the bow up fairly high during storage. Water eventually drains out through the rear plug hole. I also leave a tub of d-humidify moisture absorber under the step (and several other places) which picks up the remaining moisture.

I have a drain in the front port bow as well. It does appear to vent the bulk headed areas under the v-birth cushion (I had to look at it). Likewise, I had to look at the cooler drain.

Although I'm not close to your serial numbers, I believe our hulls are similar. The best I've seen is 76 MPH on the GPS and 78 on the Tattletale. I have 496 Mag HOs turning 26 pitch Bravo 1s.

Rick

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Dave/Rick from Fountain the drain to the cooler does run from the cooler to the back of the boat along the stringer and drains out the engine compartment transom drain plug..
Bob

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

look at El Capitan!

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Congrats !

How do you like it - what power are you running?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Hi Bob,
Mine has HP500EFI's and it does run low 80's. I have only had it out 4 times, and the water has never been perfect, but one time I was able to lean on it. I am still learning my way around with it. (New Fountain owner!)
Dave

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Hi Rick,
I have 4 blade Bravo 28 pitch props, I think they may be a little small for the top end, because the one time that I really leaned on it the rpm went over 5600+ maybe 5800 on the port engine. Although I am guessing that I will be proped about right for Havasu in the summer. 115 degrees and 650' elevation.

I have poured water down into the ice chest and watched to see where it goes, I can't see it come out anywhere. It drains very slowly, I tried to blow it out with an air hose and that didn't do anything. When I jack the bow up, as I do when I am storing it about a cup or two of water in under the step, but nothing drains out also a small amount of water under the lockers under the v-berth.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Is that "THE MAN" in your boat? Nice looking boat.
Dave

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Dave - I think you need to check all your drain passages. I'm no expert but I'd try blowing air from the inside at various locations - front to back. I'd also take a blunt rod and run it up the transom drain a few inches as well. I don't know what yours looks like but my transom drain gets clogged with crap from time to time. When it happens, I run a 1/16 inch metal rod into the drain to clear it out. I then use a high pressure hose from the top side and shoot water into the bilge (under the motors - towards the back) until I'm sure it's draining correctly.

Don't know about the ice chest though. I haven't looked but you could probably remove it fairly easily to access the under side to see what's going on...

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Take a cable snake (the kind you use to snake cables through walls) and see were it goes plus it will also help clean out the passages. I had to do this a few times on my 29 Fever.

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

That's a great idea. I'd cut the hook off the end first...

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

Thanks guys, I will do the snake thing this week end, should answer a few questions.
Dave

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

I like it a lot. So far I've driven it 101 MPH with 2 people and a full bag of fuel. It has herrings on it. It will go faster. It is very stable at speeds over 100MPH. The new interior is fabulous. It cruises along at 80 MPH, and at that speed it is like riding on a quiet pond-lol

Re: 2007 35 Lightning
 

You sound overjoyed and rightfully proud and you should be - she is just spactacular!!!