If you decide to go smaller/newer/single, this can be had for $50K.

http://yachtauctions.com/listing.php?vessel=3101

Well, does anyone have any nice 35 twins available?

just dive in and buy my 42

Surprised no one chose to touch on this. 27 Fountain, not a chance. 29 Fountain, not a chance. 35 Fountain, boarderline. In fact, I don't know of any closed bow, go-fast style boats that are going to accomodate 5-6 people very well. Just the nature of the beast. Fountains however, probably have the tiniest cockpits (and cabins) out of any go-fast manufacturer. They are a dynamite boat; run fast on modest power, handle well, built well, look great, solid resale......but very small.

Have you actually ever been in a Fountain? The reason I ask is because I lusted over Fountains for years. Last year I decided to start looking for a go-fast (had inboard ski boats for years, wanted to hit the other end of the spectrum) and wanted a Fountain. I had never been in one other than at a boat show. I thought I had found 'the one', drove 5hrs. one way to look at it. Within 2 mins. I realized it wasn't the boat for me. Cockpit WAY to small. The seller asked, "don't you want to take it for a ride?", no thanks. I was sick, I really wanted a Fountain. Are you a big guy....or tall? This miniture layout will be amplified.

Not dissing on Fountains one bit. If there is one piece of advice I could give a potential first time boat buyer; do not shop with tunnel vision and there is a much less likely chance of you being unhappy down the road.

Use this forum, ask questions, and be open minded. Good luck!

If a big cockpit is important to you, then I suggest you look at 38 Fevers. Compared to the cockpits in the new 35's and 38's they are enormous. But what you lose in room in the newer models you make up in speed because of the full stagger. If you are looking for both room and performance in a 38ish, I suggest you look at the 39 Top Guns. Beautiful boats and a steal at $300 - 400K - used

I have this discussion a lot with my Formula "Pals", cockpit space, cabin space, beach friendly, bla bla. My take here is that if you are looking to buy a "Performance Boat" then shop for one that meets your criteria in terms of performance. Buy a boat that fits YOU and your wants. Forget the friends that might be along for a ride because the reality is you will spend the majority of your time in the boat without them. You are the one that is paying for the boat, buy one that makes YOU happy.

Last season I had five of us on the boat for the day, end of the day we also picked up my buddy's god-son and two of his friends, now we have five adults and three teenagers, little tight? A little! But everyone of them had a chit eating grin and had a ball running 90 mph. Never heard a complaint!

Certainly use these forums to gather some info. Base your buy on what YOU want, not what someone else wants and attempts to convince you that you also need. Buy a boat that you can afford to own and use. Nothing worse than having a great boat that you can't afford to use as much as you would like to because you can't shell out the gas money. I've seen people sit at the dock cause they were short on bucks, they were saving their gas.

Good luck in your search, buy something that puts that chit eating grin on your face every time you run it! It really is all about YOU.

You already know your budget and you want a Fountain, go find some and put your a$$ in the seat to see how much room you need and what you can handle. The 35 Ex is hard to beat. Good size and manageable. Stock power will be best to deal with as far as repairs and maint. Good Luck.

If you want a Fountain with comfortable room for 6+ you should look at my Fountain 38TE with triple 275 Verado's. Fast and extremely reliable!

Take a look at my Fountain 35', it is perfect inside and out, has 500 EFI engines, and a new Aluminum trailer with tripple axels and stainless steel brakes. $77,500 or offer.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o28682-en.html

Dave Kahn
[email protected]
818-464-5246 cell

Most accurate post yet.