Converted baja Owner . .
 

Ok we have got rid of our 29 outlaw, twin 496 mags.. I realize if I want to go faster its better to go with a builder with faster hulls..

Now I dont have deep pockets and I have found quite a few
32's that "advetised" 80 MPH.. Looking to run mid 90's..

A - how does the 32 handles at 90+
B - Size compared to our 29 outlaw? same size? shorter?
C - How would a 32 ride in rough water compared to a 29 outlaw? We are LOTO boaters and the water there is sloppy to say the least every weekend...

Thanks!!

Overall lenght is about the same at the 29 Outlaw. Less space in the cockpit though. Not sure what you're budget is but I'd be looking for a clean 35 if I was coming out of a 29 Outlaw.

We came out of our Baja 33 Outlaw, which we really liked, a lot I might add, into the 42 Fountain, which is simply no comparison in speed, ride, comfort, looks, and resale. I suggest a 35' or38' Fountain, maybe 3-4 years old. Shop around, there are plenty that are well cared for, don't be afraid to travel, or to have your new boat shipped to you. Get a good boat survey. And then you'll never look back!! :)

Go to a 35. I went from a 29 Powerquest to my 35...you will be impressed with the stability of the hull. I've been in some big water with mine, and while the comfort of a 38 or 42 footer wasn't quite there, I wasn't tied to the dock either...plus it was a bit cheaper. In addition, it'll be tougher to find a 32 as they stopped making them a couple years ago.

I have 1993 35' that I haven't listed yet but will selling at a good price if your interested. It's in storage at Raymonds Marine.

I'd go with a 35 also because of the extra cockpit space and smoother ride. Fuel difference will be non noticable. I have no problem what's so ever trailering my 32. Can't see a 35' being any different for me. Then some people have issues towing 20'ers.

Let's see the list of 32's that have sank.


Maybe you should also look at AT's. :)

I had a 29 Outlaw for 6 years - put 550 hours on it - had the 454 mags 385hp. What a horid little machine. Totally unpredictable and uncontrollable at its top speed of 70 but it was good looking and had excellent resale. Get a 35 X. You can steal them now. Much nicer ride, looks, handleing - totally different world. Real happy with mine.

Go with the 35 if you can, had the 32, rough at LOTO.
The 35 rides great, and sits a lot better than a 32, had friend sink his to the bottom of the ocean, water in the back.
Good luck, and welcome to the 'Reggie side of life' :D

I don't even think FOUNTAIN is making the 32 this year, so that might be something to think for resale......

What about the new 32'? Any news on it?

Go for a 32!
 

The family on here has alot to offer in advice.....I own a 32 with 572's....100+ MPH boat....it rides like it is on rails from 80 on up......I love the way it rides and handles. It is perfect for me and the battleaxe (I mean the wife)....if you can afford it, go with a 35 or bigger, but for me....I specifically wanted a 32..yea, it sits low in the rear but it looks great in the water and no issues with water in the bilge. Would be happy to send you pics if you like.....real sleeper with the big power under the hatch! Welcome to the family and take all of the advice you get in here with heart....lots and lots of experience with various size rides in here and they are all great people....uh...except for 99fever27.....stay away from him......he's into fat chicks! :cool-smiley-011:

Good luck!

I believe the all new Fountain 32 is going to be introduced at the 2008 Miami Boat Show.

Buy a Sonic

Fountains have faster hulls... sorry..:D

Ok so this "sinking" thing has us freaked out now about the 32's.. the price is within our budget for a 32 so the 35's might take another year or two of saving..

Might need to look to another step hull ride..:rolleyes:

Fountain has the fastest hulls so not sure what to do now..

I didn't mean to scare you away, I just wanted to inform you. I had my 32 for 3 years, put 100 trouble free hours on her, and really enjoyed the boat. I had a 27 fever before that, so it was a huge change in ride.
If the 32 is in the budget, get it, enjoy it, then, and if you want you can trade for a 35.
I'm ready for a 42, but it's not in the budget for a few more years........

Two Founains ago, I purchased a 93 - 32' w/ 502s. Never had any of these issues for the three years I owned it. Did not take on any water even with the bow on the beach. Ran 72-73 best I remember. The last year I had it, re-built 502s to 540s, boat ran 88 and was fine, but had to add hydraulic steering.

I've have a 2000- 29' Fountain with Twin 350 Mag small blocks for six years and have never experienced anything listed here and we've boated at LOTO since I bought it.

The rear is low to the water but never low enough to allow water to enter into the bilge.

They just make it a little interesting when tying up to other boats or at a dock when backing in.

You have to make sure the fenders protect it from slipping under some docks at the bars and restaurants.

Mine has been a great boat with no problems other than changing a couple raw water pumps and normal maintenance and will run right at 70 mph with stock power and is pretty easy on the fuel bill...

Sydwayz, don't take anything I say personal or as defensive. I'm here for a good time, just as you. Just making conversation and trying to clear up some misconception. Don't want anyone to think it's a 32, it's going to sink. I appreciate your researching effort. I, with others keep hearing how they sink, but see no proof. 1 or 2 sinkings doesn't worry me. Hell, I see more Fountains in the trees than the number of them sinking. :) But who wants to be the 1 that did loose one? Not me.

Now heres my experince with the water in the bilges.
1st concern:
As in one of the links you posted, Fountain fails to seal the hull/deck joint 100% along the swim platform. Both my boats took on water there, along with a few others I have seen. A couple hrs and a tube of 5200 fixes this problem. We should not have to do this! Because the way the 29's and 32;'s sit in the water, it can be a big problem. My 32's pumps would cycle every several minutes, if I recall correctly. Been a few yrs. Enough of a problem that it was the 1st thing I addressed when I bought my boat. I hate water in the bilge.

2nd concern, rear blower vent tubes

These are not holes that are just above the water line.
They are openings, with tubes sealed to the openings on the inside. The tubes angle up wards right along the underneath side of the gunwall and extend abit forward. For water to pour out the end of those tubes and into the bilge, the back of the hatch will be under water. Probably a good 1 1/2' above water line. Then there's the blower flex hose attached to the end of the tubes. Just regular bouncing up down in the water won't push water up high enough to cause a problem. A rush of water coming up the back can cause water to enter, but it's not much. Any water to make it's way inside, will be pumped out by the 2 pumps. They will pump out the water faster than what can enter thru there. I had made some tips with flappers because I thought that was a conscern at 1st, but I know it isn't as much as I originally thought. Anything to possibly prevent any water issues, even better.

3rd, water over the hatch.
The hatch has a seal between the bottom and the deck. If water is getting past there, the seal is gone. The deck has a step under the hatch that works like a deflector. Again, it's not a straight shot into the bilge.

My boat does not get 1 single drop of water in the bilge now, period. Have had enough people sitting on the back to where their feet are in the water with an occasional wave splashing up on the hatch. The boat simply rolls with the waves.
I had it on Cumberland last yr for the poker run, as a spectator from the side lines. I think we all know how rough the water is then. I will say never had it on LOTO. During the PR. I had the rear facing out with 3-4 of us sitting on the hatch. Some of those waves soaked the hatch pad. Again, never a drop inside. I was actually surprised at that.

I can see if one was anchored from the back, in current or big waves and people sitting on the hatch to cause it to go down if they don't noticed the pumps are kicking on and the back is getting lower and lower. Not paying attention, and/or inoperative pumps.

Is it the good design. Not at all. Is it as bad as percieved. No.
Just a little owner observation goes a long way. The deck joint is more of an issue than anything else... in my opinion.

Now, a boat such as yours can sink too. Just takes a much larger wave and the right conditions.

Hopefully this novel sheds some light to the water in the bilge, sinking for an prospective buyers.

Get the 35 - you are eventually going to do it anyway so do it now so you dont have to pay the depreciation on the 32. 35s are going so cheap that you might find one that is free to a good home with loving family. Im Still looking for that Skater..........

US 1 Fountain,
Well said! I have owned my 1998 32' Fountain for three years and the only water problems I have had was due to the vent tubes not being sealed properly and the thru hull exhaust pipes not being sealed. Once that was corrected we have had minimal water getting into the bilge with the boat sitting still with several people sitting on the swim platform. The old 32' Fever is a great boat. Anyone that hasn't had the pleasure of owning one should keep their opinions and comments to themselves.

is it me or does anyone else notice the need for brand x to inadvertently compare themselves to a fountain by knocking them!
i have driven some of these other brands that knock the beaks and unfortuneately its just the consumer who suffers.

for the starter of this thread i say only, do you summon the yard of what ever or the stick in which it measures itself.

I don't even visit other manufacturer's forum except on a very rare occasion and would never have the nerve to knock the other products. If you purchase the one you want, what difference does it really make? Like I said, had a 32' for 3 years, it was my first Fountian, and I'm now on my third.

Every boat has it's good points and bad points. I had a 32 Sunsation Dominator and it sat as low as the similar sized Fountain. I had to make sure the bumpers were positioned right also to keep it from going under docks and when rafting up. It took some water into the bilge under certain circumstances, too. If the waves were right. It was a great boat. It seems like Fountain is the standard by which all others are measured. I would never bash another brand especially one I have never owned.

Now, my advice. Go as big as you can afford. There is no substitute for size, weight, and power when it comes to rough water.

Here is a side note. This is my third boat in 3 years. My biggest complaint was the ride in rough water. We do a lot of poker runs and run out in Galveston Bay. It can get very rough with the wash off other boats, cruiser wakes, and large commercial ship wakes. My first boat was a 32 Baja it had a very harsh, and unforgiving ride, the next boat was a 32 Sunsation Dominator, it was fast and handled 80% of what we did very well, but we were still beat up at the end of the day. The last and I do mean last boat, we decided to stretch the budget and get the best. The 42 Fountain Ex is great in every situation. We can run at top speed all day long and walk away at the end of the day feeling good. I wish had just bought it the first time around. Would have saved a lot of time and money.

Right on! I've only got water in my bilge from the seal at the rear rub rail at the swim platform. Marine silicone took care of that. LOTS OF FOUNTAINS in Lake Travis in the summertime get 4,5,6-10 people on the huge sundeck. No sinkings.

Happy shopping! Like Gerrit says, go as big as you can afford.

No your not imagining anything, Fountains for some reason a lot of people like to take pot shots at them. As I stated in a earlier post I loved mine and it never gave me any problems and always received very positive comments for other boaters down at our lake.

They are great boats period, are they different than some others sure but that was part of the appeal to me and having been a Powerboat Magazine subscriber since 1980 they have always had positive reviews regarding their construction, handling and appearance.

It seems most of the comments are do to some peoples dislike of Reggie who has at times rubbed the other manufacturers the wrong way but he always seems to be able to back up his statements.

Personally some of the so called super boats don't do anything for me and that's not a knock on them just a personal preference thing.

Now if anyone is looking for a 29' in excellent condition give me a shout, I don't need three boats and since I picked up my cat earlier this year it was something I've always wanted and have it available.

A friend of mine had a 32 with no water problem. It had Prochargers on it and he was afraid of the speed so he sold it. They do sit low in the water and with any boating skills should not be a problem. I have friends with 35's and they love them. Big difference in ride. I have a 40 and then again big difference then the 35"s. I personally would sacrafice the age a couple of years and get the biggest best bought I could find. Like everyone would agree you cannot replace length.

You can buy a lot of boat if you're willing to go as far back as early 90's.

My 27' was 32k a few years ago, it's a '91. the same boat new that year was 120k. The only differences, other than age and wear, are the windshield, the step, the anchor locker, and a swim ladder, as far as I can tell. Go older and go bigger.

i can say i agree to that in some cases,,,,.


but please,,,,,,,,,,,pleeeeeeaaassssssee tell me that doesnt apply to women as well!!!:D

:musik010:

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like a 35 is the way to go. I really want a step hull, from what I have seen to go to a 35 and stay within my budget I would have to go old and prob wouldnt be step hull. Looking to stay around 60k max. have about 25k to put down so it would keep my payment liw enough I could keep gas in her..

Still keep going back to the 32. have seen alot of nice looking boats with 500hp or bigger within the $$ range.

I have been looking at pics of them in the water with the HUGE vent holes sitting about 4 inches from the water line.. still has me a bit spooked.

I keep hearing about the deck leaking water due to poor joining, is this BS?

Also someone said the 32 would be comparable in ride to our 29 outlaw.. I really need toget to LOTO and find one to drive on a big weekend.

Thanks again for all your responses!

Again, those ain't holes. They are openings with tubes that go upwards and forwards. There is no way a 32 will sink by all the water possiblely entering there. Waves aren't constant. IF all of water possible does make it thru and into the bilge, the 2 pumps are more than enough to pump it out before the next rush of water comes in. ONLY way for a constant flow of water to come thru those vents, is if the hatch is under water.
I have seen the newer Fountains use a cover over the openings that is slotted. Don't have a pic, maybe some can post one, but just the slotted cover is enough to break the on rush of water and keep all water from going up into the tubes. Looks like an oval register cover.

The couple if 'reported' 32's that sunk did so because of owner/operator ....error/inexperience. If you can't see water constantly coming up over the hatch, or see that the pumps are running, then maybe another hobby is needed, such as needlepoint. :)

Yes the rubrail can be a problem. But as I said before, it is a 1 hr fix. The hull/deck joint is FG'ed from the inside of the boat all the way around the boat, except right at the swim platform because it is simply unexcessable. At that point, Fountain seals the joint with a sealer from the outside befroe installing the rubrail. My experience has been they don't do a very good job. 1 hr of your time. It's fixed. It's more evident on the 29's and 32's because they sit so low.

Also, in case you haven't been keeeping up, I do not get so much 1 single drop of water in my 32's bilge now that I have resealed the rubrail. Not a drop, dry, nothing, zilch. Your spit has more moisture than my bilge. ;)


Don't cross off a 32 if that fits your requirements best because of a couple issues that can be fixed for next to nothing.

Like I said, I had mine for 100 hrs. always at LOTO, and never had any water in her.
But I did what you're thinking about. I got a bigger boat, with more power, but it was older than my 32, and I have never been sorry for the trade I did.
Good luck

[QUOTE=ikanscuba;2372725]Thanks for all the input. Sounds like a 35 is the way to go. I really want a step hull, from what I have seen to go to a 35 and stay within my budget I would have to go old and prob wouldnt be step hull. Looking to stay around 60k max. have about 25k to put down so it would keep my payment liw enough I could keep gas in her..


Saw a 35 in that price range on ebay that had newer power. Saw it on OSO also ad # 18176. Stepped hull 35. Oops, looking back at your speed requirement, this boat won't get er done for you without different power.

I don't know... early 90's vintage is going to be legal, starting in less than a month! (birth date, not age!)

Although, ain't nothing wrong with a cougar!

Just don't let my girlfriend know I said either of those things...