Finally got it... **Pics Posted**
 

I have waited a long time but I have finally been able to purchase a 2008 35 Lightning with 496's. I always dreamed of having a powerboat of some sort as I grew up in the outer banks of NC close to the Fountain factory.:drink:
I have been viewing this board for a long time but never really posted much. I boat around the Destin Florida area, so if there are any other Fountain owners here I am sure I will see you around.:ernaehrung004: Thanks.
Also anyone have opinions on etops from CMI??

Congratulations on the new boat.

welcome to the family

welcome

good choice enjoy the ride.

Enjoy the new ride.

I would also look at the Dana Headers for the 496. Based on test results they are as good as the CMI's but cost half the price.

:worthless_without_p

Do you know what it will run yet?

:ernaehrung004:

CMI tubulars look GREAT!

... but exhaust manifolds really don't do anything for performance until your engines are very wild. They hurt fuel efficiency until then.

For example, on a Fountain with 575SCI that was fitted with silent choice, there was NO observable performance difference between thru-transom open exhaust and thru-hub. ZERO. Not a tenth of a mile per hour when flat out.

Also, people who have to fix stuff often recommend against the tubular headers, and recommend cast aluminum ones (such as the Dana or Stainless Marine) because the tubular ones have a reputation for failing at the welds that can lead to destroying your engine due to water getting into the cylinders.

But those tubular CMI headers sure look GREAT!

Congrats on the boat. I run with a similar '08 -- 35 with 496's and he runs in the upper 80's, can just tweak 90, in the right water, with the headers. The boat is fast and gets great fuel mileage.

Really? You're making me worry! :eek:
Is there any way to prevent that, or at least to spot it before major damages occur?
And is that a problem just with salt water, or also fresh?

Pics Posted!! Sorry I had to figure out how to post pics. Easiest way was to buy the Platinum membership.

Boat runs 89 according to Fountain, in the real world with fuel and friends that means 85 all day. Cruises at 60 burning 34 an hour. I boat in Destin FL and it rides great in the gulf. Really stable feeling.

Great to hear!! Has he had any issues that I need to keep an eye out for. Also what props is he running? Thanks:drink:

Thanks good looking boat. I didn't know they put the 496's in the new 35's, sounds like a nice package.

No real issues. Typical maintenance stuff. He is running 5B Maximus props with shorties. I am not sure what pitch. His boat looks very simialr to yours, but without the silver backround in the paint. His graphics are red, too.

I just found several cracks in my CMI's. They have about 200 hours on them. Most of us here just have our mechanic's pressure test them when they do our annual maintenance. Keep an eye out for any ununual steam coming out of the exhaust. That was how we picked up the problem. My wife noticed the large amount of steam when I was flushing the engines. It turned out the port header on the port motor had a couple of good sized cracks at the collector. I don't think I have any damage, but it pays to keep an eye on them. We had a local guy re-weld them and they are fine.

Great boat! Congratulations!

Interesting, thanks for your suggestions. I never flush my engine (496 HO with CMI sport tubes) 'cause I use the boat just in fresh water.
Should I empty the cooling circuit anyway after each usage, or do anything else to prevent cracks/leaks?
And those cracks at the collector you're mentioning, were they visible from outside, or just after removing them and looking inside?

nice very nice congrats . robbie

very cool ride.......congrats

I love that grey white & Red combo good luck with her great set up!

Thanks for all of your congrats and support!!! I hope to see some of you all here in Destin for the Emerald Coast Poker Run. Its a great area to boat in. :circle:

Not to hijack your thread, sorry.:drink:No way to tell without pressure testing them. It can be done on the boat, without removing the header. I am not sure of his set up to do this. We flush them cause we run in salt water. I don't think it has anything to do with fresh or salt water, I think it is the vibration and heat that causes them to expand and contract. One of the other headers actually had a pinhole in the outside SS tube on the top and was spraying against my engine hatch. I don't think the sport tube headers are an issue. Just the long ones and having staggered engines it seems to be worse on the front or port motor.

Yep, me too, apologies!
And congrats for the boat, she looks and surely runs sweet. :coolcowboy: