? for fountain owners about driving.
 

Hey guys, got a quick question for you. I've been entertaining upgrading from the Nova and the fountain look is really starting to grow on me. I've riddin in one and liked the ride.

Here's the big question. Is it easy to get used to having the throttles in the left hand instead of the right? I'm a pretty right hand dominate person, and in my head I'm having a hard time picturing if this would work for me or not. To me it seems like switching the brake and gas pedals around in my truck. It must work for some people, cause a lot were made that way! I'm a Lake Michigan boater, so I'll be moving the sticks coming in and out of waves.

Any input would be much appreciated. C'mon guys, you gotta sell me on this one! :drink:

P.S.- I'll be out of town until Saturday. I'll look forward to reading your posts then. Nick

You won't even think about it after a few minutes. My other boat has RH throttles and I prefer LH now. Either way, you just do it w/o thinking about it.

Never owned one but sure seems weird to me....when you jerk-off, do you switch hands? Is it better, worse, or the same???? :coolcowboy:

You'll be used to it in a matter of minutes. Then the RH sticks will feel wierd after a while

You'll be fine, only seems weird for a little bit, then seems normal.
Good luck on your search for a new boat.

Some boats have controls on the right??????????? Why would you do that? Just kidding. I prefer the left controls, now when I drive someone else's ride I keep reaching with my left hand.

If your dominate hand is right, then its perfect, you use your strongest hand to steer, and other to throttle. Just like Reggie planned it. As been said already, after a couple of trips its natural, you wont even think about it.
Have a Center Console that is right hand throttle, I switch back and forth from boat to boat, and dont even think about it.

I had two right hand boats before this we're right on the shore of Lake Ontario, no prob after a few minutes....

After about two weeks, I'm still getting use to it. But I like it.

I did find myself reaching with my right hand a few times and didn't find any a few times when I first got ours. It's not a big deal and was pretty easy to get use to. I was more worried about my drives and tabs, came out of Baja's and they were right at my right hand finger tips. That wasn't an issue either.

I don't "like" it but I tolerate it because I really like my boat. I'm very right handed dominate as well and it doesn't bother me as much as I though it would.

I've had both docking standing up is easier when on the left:op:

Every airline copiolot learns to fly with left hands on the levers and then right hand when he becomes a pilot.
Whys it so had for a boat operator ?

You'll end up liking them on the left....I do.

Ditto

I just switched to a Fountain having driven right hand throttles for 20 years in a variety of boats. I was worried about the switch but after about 10min. it was all good. No problems whatsoever!

Ditto, X2! :drink:

Another vote that you won't think twice.

Nice to manage the tabs, trim, and throttle all with the left hand while a firm right hand stays on the wheel.

I go back and forth between my Fountain & my Grady every weekend and don't think twice about throttle position left vs. right.

Just got my first fountain 27 only took a few min love it

Like most others, getting used to it is quick and easy........not sure I would want to go back to right hand controls!

I agree. I bought my first Fountain two weeks ago, and had the same worries. I have gotten used to it, but i wouldnt suggest going into rough water right away. I am right dom as well, and your reaction time is a little different. You will want to chop the throttles faster than you should. At least i did anyway.

They make boats with throttles on the right side?

No big deal. I thought it would be different at first but like I said no big deal.I have seen a few with it on the right and also with the shifter on the left and the thottles on the right.

I believe the intent was to be able to have a throttleman and a driver. This actually worked great for my wife and I. We got caught in some very big water (one of times away from sedate Lake Powell). My wife from her pro jet-ski racing days in the early 90's can read water like nobody else. I seem to have some feel for throttling. She jumped into the driver's seat, I sort of stabilized myself and actully throttled with my right hand--it absolutly made no difference at all to me. We had a blast---we even took the long way back to the marina--we considered staying out and giving it another go round; but prudence won out and we hit the marina. I think once you get the feel of the fountain throttle it doesn't matter what hand you use.

Duh!!
 

I feel that if you cannot drive or throttle with either hand then you do not possess the skills needed to operate on of these boats in the first place. But that's just me, I could be wrong.....:chimp:

Throttles on the left are much better, especially in rough water. I boat mostly on Lake Michigan. You will get used to it very quickly and if you boat a lot on the Great Lakes, I bet you will prefer it.

My 10 Meter was switched to right hand controls because the original owner had no left arm. Also had dual foot throttle pedals and steering wheel trim buttons installed. Point being if you dont like it just personalize it, not that big of a deal

I am left handed and prefer to have my left hand on the steering wheel. I was worried too when I got my fountain. I went from a 23 Rinker to a 29 Fever. I had more issues with the seperate shifters than going to the left. After a couple times out it was natural. I'm back in right hand throttles now. Makes no difference to me. I like both. I think more of an issue is made of it than needs to be.