35 Fountain Guys
 

I am flying out to see a 1995 35 Lightning Single Step in a couple weeks and am pretty excited about it. This will be my 1st powerboat but have had many boats in the past, but this is something I have always wanted. Here she is: http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o21411-en.html

Just wanted to hear some feed back on a couple of questions, I appreciate it.

How big is cockpit ? How man people comfortably can you get in ?

Anyone know the History of this 35 ?



Any other comments would be much appreciated.

Thx

Personally

I have owned three 35's and consider them to be a great boat. The only boat out there that I would consider moving to would be a Top Gun, but that would just be preference.

I had a single step 98 Lightning with 500's. Great out of the hole and decent top end speeds in the low to mid 80's.

What kind of power?

I just bought a 29 and love it. I can put 6 people in the cockpit easy (sitting down) and probably 2 more standing if I really wanted to. I have driven a 35 Fountain with (2) 500 EFI's in havasu and it was a great ride, the biggest day for that lake wouldn't phase that boat. I wasn't pushing that boat that hard but think you could get high 70's out of the 35 (depending on power). In the ocean of course it can get too big for my boat, the 35 you're looking at, or any other boat for that matter but I think on average, it would be a great boat. Where do you live and where are you going to be boating at?

Motors were dynoed at around 600HP each. Boat runs mid to high 80's. I would LOVE a Top Gun but can't afford the $$ tag

Will be boating in Lakes only, mostly Conroe & Lake Travis

DukeHD,

I boat the same area. Same reason for me and the Top Gun.

Let me know if you buy this thing. I am orgnally from Louisiana and we are having a big Poker Run May 3. You should make the road trip. I am leaving on Tuesday of that week but others from here are leaving on Wed. and Thursday.

If you point out which boat you are looking at there's a good chance someone on this site knows the boat - and might know if the boat has any issues that you need to be aware of. There are lots of boats on the market now and there will be even more if gas continues to go up. I would be more concerned about buying a lemon than having someone on this site buying the boat out from under you.

I liked my 35 single step a lot. It's a great lake boat but I would want a bigger boat if I were boating in the ocean or great lakes.

It's not very wide, has very little room between the bolsters, and can seat 5 normal-sized adults. If they all get up at the same time you will be bumping into each other - which is why I sold my 35 and bought a 38 fever. But the cockpit in the 35 single is bigger than in the new 35's or even 38's.

All in all they are great boats.

Duke...Same year as I've got. I've only got stock 502s in mine, but have seen 75 on GPS (I have a blueprinted hull and Bravos on IMCO boxes). You can fit 6 in there, but it'd be tight...not a ton of room between the bolsters and the back seat. I run on Lake Michigan, which can be worse than the ocean, and it takes 5 footers to keep me on the dock. Last year's Chicago Poker Run featured solid 4-6s, and the boat ran great (takes a little learning on the sticks, cuz she likes to FLY)...really tracks well and it very stable at speed.

I was considering moving up to a Gun or a Slingshot or an AT this year, but with gas prices going up, I reasoned that I like my boat just fine.

The only problem I have is the small cabin, but hey...it's a Fountain... and my wife and I aren't very big people...so we cope.

Good luck, you will love it from the first time you get behind the wheel.

Awesome Input guys, I appreciate it.

mba1620,

I would love to come out except for I am flying out to Look at the boat on Lake Havasu that weekend.

Marginmn,

Here ya go

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o21411-en.html

After looking through the classifieds there appears to be a couple of twin-step 35 lightnings they are absolute steals.

The 2001 35 is going for 85K - that seems crazy cheap unless it is totally trashed. Being 6 years newer with a newer style hall and having a new Fountain interior with stock Merc engines, I'd and have to say it's a much better buy than a 95 single step with non-factory engines and interior going for 79K.

Just my opinion and only given since you asked for comments.

Here are the links.

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o21065-en.html

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o20539-en.html

They seem like great deals for sure. If I was paying 79K for the boat I wouldn't be looking at it.

I am not a windshield fan or a stars and stripes fan but I do see your point.

Thanks for the advice.