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.

The single step 35 Fountain is a great boat, you will not be disappointed in the boat. I would think you should be seeing a little less money on a '95. I would think with some looking the same money could get you into a newer boat. As is the norm, Beware the other mans hot rod motor program.

Good Point. Only thing that has me worried, although I have a complete list of everything. Everything is a risk in this type of purchase. At anytime on any given day in one of these boats the :hitfan:

you want to pay more for a Gun so you can go slower???:grinser010:

Duke
Thats a great looking boat. Good luck with it!

a big poker run on may 3rd?????? it is is louisiana??? waht is the name of it??? or is that the tickfaw 200 ???????

That boat is the cleanest 95 Fountain on the planet by far. My shop has been working on that boat scince the owner bought it. The engines have less than 30 hours on them and dynoed above 600 with a conservitive set up. The owner is a complete neat freak and everything is either painted in imron, powdercoated or polished and clear ceramic coate so no need to ever repolish. The boat gets washed and waxed before and after every time it goes out. Even if you gave the owner full asking price I would be surprized if he got back 40 cents on the dollar. I have pics of the boat from day one and pics of many different steps along the way and would be happy to email you anything you would like to see. Feel free to call me at the shop at 714 369 7410 or email at [email protected]
Thanks Matt

By the way I also own a 35 Fountain and they handle great and are lots of fun to drive. I run mine offshore to Catalina Island every other weekend and it handles rough water great. Also a fun boat at the lake too.

I agree Matt. There isn't any other 35 on this site that comes close to the way this boat has been done. I am looking forward to going out and see it on May 2nd. I would love to see what pics you have. I will send you an email tomorrow about it.

Thx

T

I like the my 35' single step. A very predictable ride and like all Fountains they like to dance across the top of the waves.

I will be seeing you on the 2nd as well. See you then
Matt

That's one hell of a nice "first powerboat" Looks like it moves out . Ask him how much oil it burns . and how often the out drives have been rebuilt. Nice Boat .

cigs are cool just because of the history of cig IMOP . But fountains are nicer IMOP look better and have more luxuries .Just my opinion

Hey there I ran out of Mission bay a few weeks back in my 27. It seemed like it would be trecherous to go to catalina say from oceanside by were we live. It had 8-10' high seas about 20' feet apart.. Is it allway's like that on the catlina run
? The boat I have has maps of the island in the cabin so I think it has been there.. I just wonder ..What do yo think that trip would be like in a 27' ( it holds 108 gallons of fuel) .

Sorry to thread jack.

Depending on the day it should be no problem. I went last weekend and it was flat like a lake. Ran over to the island at 75 or so and never aired it out at all. The fuel capacity on your boat should be fine if I keep my rpms under 4000 I can go round trip from Huntington Beach on 60 gallons 4500 or more its more like 85 and its about 62 miles round trip. But I have two engines drinking the fuel as compared to your one so you should be able to beat my fuel consumption number by about 30% or so.

[QUOTE=mcprodesign;2529771]That's one hell of a nice "first powerboat" Looks like it moves out . Ask him how much oil it burns . and how often the out drives have been rebuilt. Nice Boat .

The engines burn no oil they are dam near brand new and run great. The boat has no problem running in the high 80s with a full load of fuel and people.

That would be the one Fountainguy.

Will you be there?

Sounds Good Matt, looking forward to it.

I also sent you an email but you address isn't working ?

almost 99% sure i will be there.......talk about a great run!!!!!!!!!!!

How did you get that kind of capacity? Did you add an extra tank? My 2000 27 barely gets in 60 gals. I too want to make the trip out to Catalina but have not yet gotten up the nerve. I know 27 foot boats go all the time, just not me - yet.

I got 2 25's mounted n the engine bay. I am worried not about fuel but about 1 motor only . at least w 2 you have a way back if you blow up or something. With your boat ..that would make 2 betwwen the two of us ..We should head out there togather..60 gals should do it no problem from what I figure.
Chad

I also sent you an email but you address isn't working ?[/QUOTE]

Call me tomorrow 714 369 7410

I have a 35 Fountain, Lightening Classic. Absolutely love the boat. I have 525's SC's in her, fastest I've had it is 79.9 gps. Handles the slop at LOTO with ease, cruising around 35 -40 mph. This is my 3rd Fountain, and I really like it. I do think mine could handle more power, she just gets skipping across the water, and there's nothing more to give.
I think it would make you a great first power boat, good luck and let us know how it turns out.

35 Fountain guys... You rock... A 35 Fountain with 525s is my DREAM boat!!!:D

hi! I have had a lot of great boting with a 35 Executioner (same boat). The finish is just as good as on the new boats. I would love to see some pictures of it as it is so good....

Good luck! You can't go wrong with this boat!!!!!

Let me know if you decide to give it a try twards the end of summer, my boat will be in Havasu, and we can definately try it out. I'd likely ask a friend of mine from SCOPE to ride shotgun, for experience sake.

Is there good boating down there in SD out of Mission Bay?

Just got back from Havasu and looking at the boat. It was everything as described and then some. The attention to detail was extremely amazing, and the people were great to deal with. We took the boat out all day on Saturday and probably put over 100 miles on it, that's how you test drive a boat. Just wanted to say another Thank You out to Tom and his wife for opening there arms and treating us like family. We WILL be coming back someday as Lake Havasu is awesome.

So to say the least............... I AM A NEW FOUNTAIN OWNER:cool-smiley-027:

Good for you !!! Doesn't it feel goood:D

Congratulations!

Congrats, and before someone says it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

:worthless_without_p

Thank You. So far it feels great.


I can not attach pics because I am a rookie I guess, you will just have to click on the link on the 1st page to see it for now.

Sorry it took so long to reply. I forgot. Anyway Mission bay is kind small and jet skiis fly out at you from everywhere. It however is a good launch to get to the ocean w some long 5 mph ares. It does have the barefoot bar and grill that has live music and a place to eat. I would think havasu would be more fun..Is it fun to go to havasu w a 27? Chad