Question for you Fountain heads. I am looking to step up in the Fountain line, I've had a 27,32, and still have a 35 looking to get bigger.
My question is, is a 38 enough of a jump up, or should I go to a42 ?
It was a huge move up in ride quality from the 32 to the 35, will the 38 feel the same ?
Pro's Con's what ever you feel like saying I'll listen.

Thanks for your help.
Reggie

Great question..can't wait to hear some feedback.

And why stop there: how much better is a 47?

I'd send a PM to ActiveShack, and get his take.

carcrash, a 47 is out of the budget for now....
Also my dock has perfect room for a 38, a 42 will fit, but it's going to take the whole dock, with the beak hanging over the walkway. The boat will live at LOTO.

If you are on LOTO I'd say go with the 42.

I went from a 32' Sunsation Dominator to a 42" EX. I would recommend it highly. there is no comparision. The ride, handling, and stability is amazing when you make the jump to the bigger boat. There is no substitute for size and horsepower. You will sacrifice a little around the dock, but it just takes some seat time to get used to it. We run in rougher water in Galveston Bay and this boat handles everything. You no longer get beat up towards the end of a long day at a poker run. You no longer worry about what kind of condititons are out there. We looked at 35 -38 and would not change a thing. Well maybe whipples on the 525's. We just got back from Destin which is around a 1000 mile round trip and she towed and launched with no problems. Go for the biggest boat you can afford. You will not regret it.

Good advice from Gerritm. The $$$ difference between the two when buying them used is nothing. If you ever decide to sell the boat, it'll be alot easier to sell the 42 than the 38.

Drive a 38, then drive a 42, and tell us what you think. Before you buy, you need to drive them both, or you'll always be wondering.

Frank

By your location, you are in Iowa. Give Scott or Greg at Shogren Performance Marine a call. They are in Northern Illinois. They are an excellent dealer to do business with and will give you an honest answer on your questions. They usually have a selection of Fountains from 32 to 47 in stock and you can do a test ride in Lake Michigan and make your decision. If they can handle Lake Michigan they can handle LOTO or anything wlse. Try to pick a day when the wind is from the NE--E--SE and they have 3-4 footers kicking up. That is where we purchased our 42' EX. and it was worth the 2200 mile round trip twice to find the right boat.

42