35 Lightning with twin 500 EFI's
 

Sorry for so many questions I have looked and looked and looked for a larger performance boat for quite some time and really took a liking to the 35 Lightning with twin 500 EFI's (at least they can be refreshed it seems compared to my HO). Maybe someone can clarify: seems that with 500 EFI's, this boat could run 85mph? Are there problems with the exhaust compared to the 525 CMI's? Is there much of a difference between an Executioner and a Lightning (I love the windshield on the lightning, love the side air intakes as they look more high performance, and the deck seems a little taller? It seems like you could actually change an impeller out on the water compared to a Baja or Sonic with twins (those were two other boats I had been looking at but way way way too cramped in the engine compartment and other quality type issues)? Kind of curious about the ride being a twin step, and kind of nervous about going to left handed throttle and shift controls? This boat seems HUGE to me when coming from a smaller 26ft boat! Is it worth the extra work? I hear a lot of folks saying they wished they had stayed with their smaller single engine boats given the economy and maintenance and such and trailering and docking etc etc etc?

Huge difference between an EX and a lightning. 2 completely different boats. The Lightning will run 85 with the 500s. Expenses are expenses. Twice as much for twins. Lot of trouble with the CMIs rotting out and leaking - much better in fresh water. Compared to a 26 it is a huge boat but the longer you own it the more it shrinks. Left handed throttles took me 2 seasons before they became second nature and I'm a lefty. I had a 29 Baja Outlaw - it tried to kill me on more than one occasion. My next door neighbor has a 35 Sonic that I ve done 2 poker runs on. There is no comparing either a Sonic or a Baja to the Fountain. The Lightning is a great boat. If you can swing it do it. Just my 2 cents

We had a 2000 35 Lightning, and loved it. Whether its worth it to you or not depends on where you boat, how rough it gets and what else you plan on doing with it. Trailering a 35 is a little different than a 26, will your tow vehicle handle the added weight? Yes two motors twice the maintence, but it was definently worth it. Next to the 38 Fountain the 35 Lightning was the best boat we owned.

35
 

Boat in the Florida intercoastal 24/7 except some small ventures to the Gulf in 2-3's, maybe a 4ft once in a blue moon (if it's that rough, nobody is out anyway it seems). Have a 3/4 F-250 4x4 (I presume that would be okay to pull it with?). Are the CMI's on the 500's a problem also with salt water if properly flushed? My only other though is with the economy and such as it is, stay with the 25, put in about 600hp or so and enjoy the sound and the ride for about 15-20k and have some regular EMI exhaust? Thanks for the responses!

It took me very little time to get used to the left hand throttle and to tell you the truth, I don't think I want to go back to a right handed.

As for the truck, same one I have and a 35 would be the max I would tow. The issue is stopping. What kind of brakes does the trailer have?

The Lightning we had had over 300 hrs on it and had no problem with the CMI exhaust. We boated in brackish, salt and fresh water. Mostly brackish. Never flushed them except to winterize at the end of the season. If possible go water test the 35 Fountain. The 25 Outlaw is a nice boat. I really liked the 33 Baja's lines. But if you can get that 35, or any 35 in the water, and test it. I think you will make your mind up very fast which one is more to your liking. Alot would depend on the trailer, hours on the motors, and drives, and overall condition of the boat. Its not fun having a new piece, and waiting on parts, or dumping a bunch of money unexpectedly into the thing. But you already know that......you own a boat. Left hand throttle becomes second nature very quickly, most people by the second or third time out, feel at home.

South Austin Marine has my 2000 38 Lightning with 500efi's, AC/Heat, IMCO -2 shorties and race fairing. It is in great shape. Clean inside and out, very good upholstry, updated rubrail, two covers and chrome dash accents. Runs in the low 80's.

The 500 exhaust is not the same as the 525 exhaust. I have never heard of any problems with the 500 exhaust. The left hand throttle will come natural in now time. The 35 lightning with 500 efi has been a great boat for me and i believe the only thing that could be better is a 42 with 6's.
My boat ran 84 according to the Reggie report.
Allen

35
 

Trailer is a tandem painted MYCO. Boat has been in fresh water its entire life is what I am being told. The amount of room in the engine compartment compared to other brands is just awesome! Can you pull the plugs without pulling the motors? I hear everyone saying refresh at 300 hrs and then others saying that's BS? I had also heard there was a difference in the springs or something on earlier 500EFI's that was a problem? I have no idea how much a set of 500CMI's would be just in case so I will look it up. Wow, you guys that own these larger boats, hats off to ya! A lot to think about for 5 months of boating! (MAY-OCT).

The type of brakes are more important. Surge brakes kind of S*ck. I have a twin axle Myco with surge and want to put electric over hyd on it.

Doing plugs on my 32 isn't bad, the hard part on my boat is getting into the engine compartment, you won't have that problem.

Refresh? You mean springs? Have or do a compression and leak down on the motor, and if good you should at least do the springs around 250 hours, kind of like preventative maintenance. There are people with more hours but the way I figure it a broken spring and dropped valve cost way more then changing them and not have a worry. But then again I tend to be like that, I change my water pump impellers every year.

Had an '01 35 with the 500 efi package and a Myco trailer with elec over hyd brakes very much like the boat you are looking at. It was a great boat and the only thing that made me want to get rid of it was 3-itis... wanted to go bigger and get faster! You will love the left hand throttle if you are right handed. It took me about 15 min to say.. "why doesn't everybody do this?" The 500 efi's are bullet proof and you won't have any problems there if they have been maintained. Mine have had blowers now for two seasons and it honestly gets ran pretty strong both by me and by it's current owner and it has ran for one season stock and two with SC's and no problems... other than a few broken drives from all the power! All the haters make fun of Reggie and Fountain but they are the fastest, safest, best handling boats on the water!

I can tell you first hand I had a 26 scarab and went to a 35 lightning
that was a big step up you will love moving up it is like daylite and dark
35 has a vaccum flush toilet
one of the best moves up u can make
I agree with Allen

I had a 271 Formula and just purchased a 35 Lightning with 500's not too long ago and have only had it out a few of times. I do a lot of boating on Pickwick Lake and the few times I took it out, the difference is unbelievable. It's fast, it rides like a cadillac, and the bow just never ends (compared to my 27') I could only imagine what a 42 or 47 would be like. The left hand throttles dont bother me, it's just getting both drives, and tabs just right and getting the RPM's to match up.. It is definitely alot more to it, but since your just moving up from another, you will have no trouble. I have an 08 F250 Diesel and that 35 is all it wants!!, the trailer is steel and not alum. But it will pull it.. If I was going to a 42, I would definitley not pull it with a 250.

Kinda' like going from a Kia to a Ferrari!!! :lolhit:

No more like from a Go kart on steroids to a porsch

When we went to a 42 my insurance Co. Would not cover the new 700sci
world wide marine found me a new carrier
they sent me a letter and said if we had a accident & were towing with a
auto that was not rated for the 15000 to 16000 lbs they would not cover
so to be sure we went with f450

Left side throttles/shifters are very nice, no problem to get used to, and it allows you to let someone else drive while you do the throttles. I would NEVER let someone drive my boat with right hand throttles!

I think staggered engines are a big improvement for doing anything in the engine compartment.

Twins are definitely twice the cost. TWICE the cost. I wish I had kept my smaller boat when I bought my Fountain, I would have used it a lot this past year.

The trailer is important. I strongly suggest electric-over-hydraulic brakes with stainless discs and calipers. Then your truck should be no problem. Surge brakes are to be avoided at anything near this weight.

The length of the tow isn't much of an issue, you'll get used to it right away.

Very nice ,you'll be happy you did