ford350 - be safe over there!!

for what it's worth I've spoken to many Baja owners who later went to fountain and all of them said the same thing, they were happy with their decision. As most here have said if its' more of a space issue with family/friends then the Baja, but for ride and performance it's Fountain .

As well I couldn't be more pleased with customer service at Fountain so far!

Having said that, I still personally prefer the lines on a 35' OUTLAW over the Lightning and should the right boat come along down the road I'll jump into an 35' Outlaw for looks and space

I'm not picking a fight. I like both brands. Fountain guys don't jump on my a$$.

Having owned three Bajas and one Fountain. I had more ticky-tac $hit go wrong with the Fountain than all three Bajas put together. And it was the newest at the time. Everyone talks about build quality on Fountain and likes to rip apart Bajas. In my opinion Baja is more boat for the money UNLESS you're only concern is top speed. I by no means agree with the majority of the boating public that Fountain far and away makes a better boat. In 2002 I went from a 1998 29 Fever to a 1999 Baja 302 and it felt like an upgrade...although I did slow down.

I would say prioritize what you're looking for in a boat. Narrow it down to a couple specific models of each brand and you'll be able to get great info from owners of each.

people talk space with babja i mean your at 30+ ft already how much more space do you need. And performance boating is not for luxury and comfort. I just dont go out and see a bunch of Bajas and am like wow. To boot Baja's have such cheesey decals and color schemes. Nice boats and they are just that, but like I said its like a chevy and a Cadi. Fountain will hold its value better as well. Heck I dont think Ive seen a running fountain in good shape up for sale for much less than 25 grand regardless of year, now baja you can buy a lot of them for under 20 grand

I'm with Baja 302 on this one. Prioritize...do you want cabin or speed and handling. The cabin in my buds 36 Outlaw is AWESOME, as is the cockpit space. Parking my 35 next to it, the 35 looks tiny. With equal power, I'm a couple mph faster on the top end...but how often do you run there? Both boats handle big water well...the Fountain gets better gas mileage as it tends to run on top a bit better.

You know for me it comes down to what you want and need in the boat. You need to figure out HOW you will boat.

Without a doubt the Baja will have more space for any given length. I for one don't buy the beak takes away length, if that was the case we would need to start comparing bow angles, but fountain does count in the swim platform (as the Baja BOSS models do, not OL), and they don't seem as wide in the cockpit.

When I was looking that didn't matter, I don't boat with a ton of people on mine, and on the occasions when I do we always end up tying up with cruisers, so if you are not in the water, people end up on them. But if you do like to take a bunch of people with you, the fountain will have less room.

I also wanted full gauges, hydraulic steering, mechanical trim, tab gauges and blue motors. Almost all fountains come standard with that, Baja, maybe, most don’t. But then again a 30 foot Baja will most likely have shore power, separate head and maybe a refrig,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, depends on what you need and want.

Both are pretty good boats for the money, would I rather have an OL or Nortech,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,sure when my numbers hit!

Decide how you will boat first and what you need, that will help you a lot. Then before you buy have it surveyed and make sure there is no transom rot, or hook in the bottom, you don’t want to get stuck with that no matter what.

[QUOTE=Fountain4402;3429708] Its like a chevy and a Cadi. QUOTE]

Ive had 2 beautiful caddys in the past year with major issues. Boats are the same, they will eventually all have issues.

Did Fountain ever build any boats with right hand throttle/shift? Or was it ever an option?

Don't think they ever did a right hand throttle.

Funny when I look at other boats now, I wonder how hard it would be to change them to the left, I like it better.

But I am NOT normal.

you got me there thats one thing I hate is the throttles and trim is on the left. Reggie must have been left handed. I cant think of any other reason for it, maybe to keep your dominate hand on the wheel.

But wildman had some good points. I dont buy the beak thing either. I would be curious to say put up a 30 outlaw and a 29 fever and measure the cockpit spaces and cabin. He said it and I said it you buy a fountain you will not be needding to upgrade all the goodies as it already has it. My thing is if you can buy the better item and can afford it buy, otherwise 2 years down the road your going to be asking yourself why didnt i buy a fountain

I went from a rinker 232 Captiva with a 5.7 to the 29 Fever with a 500. I had more issues with seperate throttle and shifter than I did with it being on the left. After a bit I liked it. Doesn't bother me either way. Regardless Like I said, both make good boats.

Honestly if most Bajas had blue motors, full steering, etc would they be cheaper? Nor is that a build issue between a Fountain and Baja. The blue motor Bajas out there are pretty pricy.

4402, I don't buy the crap about wishing you would have bought a Fountain in a couple of years. I was in a Fountain. Been out of it for 9 years. Never a bit of seller's remorse on that one. Had it on a couple of Bajas though. Just my opinion.

By the way....Fountain had at least a two decades of boring graphics. It took them quite a while to figure out how to paint a boat. Same goes for their vinyl.

Please don't think your $hit don't stink because you're riding around in a 20 year old Fountain.

Everyone has different priorities.

Well said