42 Fountain "Issues"
 

I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE. . .
After reading this forum, I realize that I'm not alone in discust about the quality issues that exist on Fountain boats. This isn't the only manufacturer, I Know, but when you give them a specific list and they can't or will not acknowledge it there's a problem. After 4 visits by me. And 4 attempts by Fountain, each attempt the boat condition gets worse. This gives the buyer of this particular Fountain one course of action to take. I would like to talk to anyone else who was so frustrated, pissed off and ready to light himself on fire like a buddist monk.

Give some details

ISSUES Details
 

I contracted a new 1999. Totally new paint interior of choice., New warranties. etc.
4 visits to factory
1 defect list was written. Cosmetic issues only at this time
Visits were done at my expense so issues would not develop.
Boat delivered and sea trialed. Several cosmetic issues, Several structural issues inc stress cracks in gell coat. Major crack between engines at structural beam. Covered up with a gel coat cap applied recently. Galley fell out. Engines were blowin mor oil than a Russian frieghter. Dirty engine compartment due to grease oil fuel stern drive fluid etc. No serial numbers on one engine. So on an so forth.:mad:

fullthrottle42,

Sorry about the problems you are having, hope everything gets fixed. I want to thank you for telling me about the props. The boat did pick up a couple of MPH on the speedo but not sure about the GPS (I don't have on yet). The new props have it turning less RPMs (4700) and more speed 68-69 MPH on the speedo. Are the guys where we bought our boats being helpful?

lefty

lefty
 

The guys over at performance marine are tring to be concerned. They sold me the boat in New condition and it cant get done. Reggie himself said it would be better than a new boat in front of me and our salesman.

I read that refferal troutly, thanks. The shipping damage story It happened to me too. The snaps ripped off and shredded the interior. That driver, what a dumbFK. Told them to stuff the boat and return it to Fountain. Flew in to Daytona today to pick up the boat so can get it to Miami but further screwups delayed it. Jeff Harris is now calling me back since this going on now since April.

Lefty your RPMs should be around 5100 5200, at least you got a couple of MPH's out of the deal.

Legal Eagles are now retained for some Assistance.

Thanks for the info.
 

So far several of you have PM'd me there "issues". I do appriciate the help. :)

Jus waitin round
 

Called dealer again. No news or call backs. Called Factory, Message Machine again uuuurrrrggh:mad: Certified letter received by both:D from legal eagles. I feel a little better, thanks for ur support. At I know when it comes to this Fountain thing I'm not the Lone Ranger.

Bashing???
 

Some members think that listing fountain factory problems is considered bashing the factory. I consider it very realtime information. Specially since its happening to me. I've owned 3 fountains. I can sing the praises as well as the rasberries. If I had read this site before closure on my boat, I would have done things differently. These problems I'm having are big, real and FACT. Facts experienced by other members here. Shipping problems, Cacking all documented here. Spoke to Wyatt, oh yeah, he sold me the damn boat. Spoke to Reggie Fountain, spoke to everyone at fountain. Betty, Reggie's sec got me the return calls. Thanks Betty. Visited them 4 times times and they blew my list off. They said it was done, closed, handeled. Oh and they had there QC guys on board to generate there own list. One of these guys had a pen in his pocket. You guested it. Allover the new Bolsters, seats everywhere. I sent this crap back to the factory over and over. Nothing was done. Just lip service. Bashing huh. Screwups like mine should be handled without question. I work, you work for our time off. Time is limited for everyone. Its not just biz to me. I'm mad as hell. Madder than I was. Pissed off that this is a common occurance at Fountain, That it happened to other Fountain owners. Its because of this forum, Ive decided to take it legal. Im not going to wait around until November. This is a NEW boat. I rode it once till it broke to S!#t. Not because of abuse because they assembled it by hiding quality issues. My frigging galley fell out in front of my dealer. Bouncing around in the cabin. Bashing? I dont think so. Cracks appearing everywhere because the filler fell out. Bashing, I dont think so. Structural beams cracking because of the Gel cap that was supposed to cover it up fell out. Remember NEW BOAT HERE. Bashing huh!!!

Fullthrottle42,
I don't think your bashing. We on OSO would love to hear all the issues. You are a new member and a lot of us have fell prey to some bogus stuff posted here. One guy even posted his own death. It's hard to decide what is fact or not. This is an explanation of why more people haven't posted on this thread. I would re-post a detailed story on the general discussion page. I'm sorry that the factory is having these kinds of issues. I tried to buy another Fountain back in November and was blown off by the Factory. I guess they didn't need my business. I hope everything works out for you. I look forward to the details so I know what to look out for with future purchases.

Good luck,
Dan

Fullthrottle42,
I just read the main page. I usually read the Fountain section first. I have definitely done my *****ing about the Factory over the last 6 Months. Post like these make me very happy I still have my 35 which doesn’t have any structural problems. Fountain should be bending over backwards to find a solution to your problem. Please give a list of exactly what happened to your boat. What kind of power? Was it a classic or Lightning? Where was the filler that you found? This makes me happy I didn't get to purchase the new boat. I hope everything works out for you.

Dan

candyman
 

42 Lightning, Staggard. Filler was located everywhere. Mainly in the Inlet ducts on the side of the boat. After Factory attempt number three, boat exhibited more filler and repairs around the stern area. Ummph. More self induced damage. Engines are 500efi's. The big cracks are located on the main beam thats between engines. Port to Starboard direction. Jeff said that the cracks were superficial but to me and my surveyer, and due to the black residue inside the crack, yes it was at least 1/8" wide, it was there for awile. Obviously a used and abused hull. They then proceeded to put a gel coat cap on it which cracked off during my sea trial. More filler was found in front of the hull, No cracks just handling damage. Cracks were found around windshield attach points and mainly in corners that weren't radiused properly during finishing.

Fullthrottle42,
I'd tell them to stick their boat. :mad: You purchased a new boat not an abused one. I'd fight for a different hull. You don't want them to just fix this one. I wonder what your emotional distress is worth. I'm sure your lawyer will have a number for that. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Dan

why no dealer recognition
 

I have been reading these posts about fountain service and have yet to read of the dealer that the boat was purchased or ran through. If you sue, you have to sue your dealer and then the dealer sue fountain. You guys can sure bash Fountain and never mention your dealer. Is there a reason for this? Or did you buy a left over photo boat and think it was a "new" one with factory warranty? I am on my fifth fountain and use it in the ocean. I get great factory support. I do purchase through a dealer and not through a rep at a bar. I send some time at the factory when my boat is there for simple cosmetic repair and hear the stories of how some of you bypassed the system and got one direct and consider it "0" hrs new. Correct me it I am wrong.

crybabies
 

After re-reading this, and reguarding you bought your boat from Wyatt, you were in this to buy a fountain and brag you bought one from the factory, Wyatt is the #1 factory whore, and the boat you bought was probably ran through many poker runs by wyatt and photo shoots. You were promised a "new" boat and Wyatt's pocket was padded with the extra's and the dealer was screwed and lend's no support and Wyatt has made 100 promises, he will never uphold, so you could have a "new" boat at 10's of thousands less than dealer net, while he pockets the money. So,,,,you screwed the dealer and got a cheaper price and Wyatt screwed you and said it was a "new" boat. Does this sound familiar to anyone.....? A whore to sell a whore boat, it was cheaper and you could use it a few years and get your money back and only to get burnt by your own ego the company thrives on. Correct me if I am wrong?!?

:eek:

Let me see if I have this right, If you buy a boat from the owners son at the factory, it is ok for the boat to have serious quality problems and for the factory to ignore you.

Good thing to know.

boatsakockn ?
 

You know, you say a lot of crap. Dealer was mentioned. The reason you have so much luck at the factory is because you think just like them. You cant read. Just like Wyatt and Reggie and all of them up there. I put you in the the same catagory. Fifth fountain, yea. And all went well, Right.:confused:

Fullthrotle42: Hang in there man....I think most of us can fiquere this guys "agenda".

2 posts..and both of them directed at you.....hmmmmmm

Post was not on a personal note, I just posted on here. The story just is aways the same if the purchase was a direct one. If not, pardon my interruption.

I don't get it...you say its a new 99?
Or is this a factory demo with new paint and int. of your choice?
I would never buy a factory demo boat...you know they are abused.
Good luck anyway...let us know if FOUNTAIN steps up.

New 99
 

The 42 was supposed to be new. The dealer who floorplaned it died. Bank took over his floorplan. The bank kept in in a stoage yard until Fountain bought it from the bank after the estate cleared. Thats when I stepped in and bought it from my dealer. It was only at Fountain for a couple of weeks.

regardless of were your purchased that boat weather from a dealer the factory or even if purchased used from a individual if there is a warranty the factory should be responsible. i have owned 2 42's a 90 and my present boat which i ordered in 98, and can say that i have never had any structural problems and what few minor problems i have had were handled promptly and without hassle by my dealer! good luck on your situation and i hope it gets resolved

continued issues
 

Got the boat back. Yea. Fountain did fix the exterior paint and cosmetics. Many small issues still exist. Takes on water from wierd places. Windsheild falling apart etc. Bilge area looks ok for brush on paint over dirt. Many, I do mean many electrical connectors missing nuts. Wires are just stuck on. Wierd. Worst is water. its everywhere. Old water. Boat is lightyears ahead of where its been. Many hours of cleanup are still ahead. All in all fountain did a 7 in a 1 to 10 rating. At least I have da boat back. The legal thing is being perSUED.

People can say what they want. I sell a product(New Homes) based on quality and service. If you buy from our company, that is what you get, it is a competitive market (over 250 in my area) and we are a one of the leaders for this reason. If I buy anything of real value that is new, however you clasify new, you better be there to take care of it. I am amazed at these stories. Fountain or any other manufacturer can thank the Lord I A. cant afford a new boat, and B. did not get one that was less than perfect whether intentional or not. I would be at that Factory sitting in the Presidents office until I had resolve. The time money equation has real value. Boats are way to expensive on the New end to expect anybody to except anything less. There are no excuses. I buy used, it is used and not new, that is what you get, that is what you paid for. Which brings me to my next main post. MIdnight

Continued problems. . .
 

Well we finally got the boat back ran it here in Daytona for about an hour. Seemed ok. We dragged the boat up to Savannh for the Polka Run and within the next hour we we were running in with the oso cigarette and we smelled smoke. Shut down and the support bearing that Fountain said they changed was on Fire (grease) along with the main water hose. We single engined back to the Marina (Hogan's/Savannah). Man I was livid when we dissassembled the support housing and found that we were outright lied to by all the Fountain upper management. Had wife and son on board when this happened. Another Polka Run missed. Total run expenses with hotel 1500 bucks shot to S**T. The bearing came apart. Rusty as hell. This was supposed to be new. Man Im so sick of this Fountain Crap.

:mad: My out drive was also repaired by factory and lasted 4 Hours!! lost 2 more weekends This is also a new Fountain

Fullthrottle42a & Daryl,
You guys are making me happy I didn't buy another Fountain. All there advertising dollars can't make up for the fact that they are delivering less than perfect products. The word gets around and sways potential buyers to go somewhere else. Especially to have a boat fail at a Poker Run. In the current state of the economy I would think the high performance boat companies would need all the business they can get. Bad press definitely doesn’t help that. Take those boats to a qualified Mercury dealer for Merc issues. Only deal with Fountain if you have to. It's sad to see posts like this. I had planned to move up to a 42' one day. If I do it will probably be used. A used boat you expect to have some problems, not on a top quality new boat.
Good luck to both of you. Let us know what happens.
Dan

Old Damage , New Boat
 

Here is a pic of the New bearing that the folks at Fountain said they took care of. The bearing friction was so severe that it caused a fire. Upon disassembly the input shaft was twisted 180 out. The Merc rep in Savannah said the damage on my input shaft was old. Thanks Fountain factory guys, your Number one in my book. 4th Run missed. This fountain fever is a FOUNTAIN TUMOR.

How many hours are on it?

They told me they took care of it. It should have been a NEW bearing. Ive been in this boat 3 1/2 hours since I owned it and it broke every time. This is a new boat. We found all kinds of hidden damage on this new boat. Input drive shaft has sudden stop damage. I'm already sueing my dealer now its Fountains turn.

Fullthrottle,
Just finished reading the horror story. Man dude, I hope things start going your way real soon! It will be interesting to continue reading your thread in regards of the legal issues! Something needs done!

Hang in there! Best of luck to ya!!!!!!

Lake X Rigging
 

We finally cut Fountain Factory out of the picture. The salesman who sold me the damn boat made a couple calls to Steve Schroderer from Merc Cruiser and made an arrangement with Don Long mgr of Lake X. We delivered the boat today to Lake X and explained the main issues to Don. He has assured us that they will go through the drive train with a fine tooth comb so that the boat would run perfectly. This is an improvement over the treatment I've been receiving from fountain. What a great facility Lake X is. The folks there seem professional as hell. Light years above the clowns I've been dealing with. Hopefully at the end of next week I will have the mechanics of thye boat worked out. The rest of the issues, like the destroyed windsheield, etc. will have to wait. I hope Reggie took a picture because this boat will never see the factory again until my lawyer makes them buy it back.

Fullthrottle42a,
I'm glad Mercury is helping you out. Maybe they'll even find a couple of mph for you. You are way to patient. I would have driven it through the showroom window by now.
Good luck,
Dan


Daryl,
What’s the good or bad word on your boat?

Dan

The boat has been running like a top! I still get nervous every time I go out wondering if I will come back on 2. Got about 15 hours and no problems knock on wood. I did buy an extended warranty for 6 years though. :eek: Keep the beek. Daryl

Daryl
 

Thats great the boat runs. Man I've been going nuts. The last time 1st time and last time I ran that boat was at the Daytona races. Fountain really slipped one to me. I have to fix it in order to sell it. Im sueing the dealer as you know. After the problems in Savannah, Im going after Fountain. See you soon

fullthrottle42a

I enjoyed talking to you on Sunday in Savannah. Hope everything works out with the Lake X guys. I have only heard goods thing about the crew at Lake X!

Man I feel for you Fullthrottle!! After you spend that much money on a boat you shouldn't get treated like that!!

Hope everything works out for the best!

Boat is still at Lake X. Those guys down there are great. They went though the drives and confirmed how screwed up they were. Both drives had bent shafts. In fact all the shafts were bent. They are still waiting for calls to put the boat back together. Fountain or the dealer aren't any help. I had to put the new type prop shafts on my account. Fountain or my dealer are not following any of the Lake recomedations. The guys down there are fed up with waiting. I did speak to Steve Harrelson at fountain. Another Zero in the fountain line up. I dont know what title his Biz card says he has but basically he has no authority. Anything I need to relay has to go through Betty, Fountains Sec. My Dealer, Daytona Marine Performance, has really let me down.

Sorry they’re still giving you the run around. What a shame! :( I had issues with my 35 and water pressure being way too high. My selling dealer did what he could do. Fountain gave me advice on how to fix my problems. No financial help for there's and Mercs screw-ups. Merc still contends there was no problem. My problem was 40+ lbs. of block water pressure just in case any Fountain managers are reading this. I spent $11,000.00 to correct this problem. Wyatt, Steve and Jeff all no about this and did not help. I guess you need to buy one of their high dollar cruisers to get a perfect boat. On a good note my boat runs better than ever. :)

Dan

Flew in to pick up my boat from lake X and found out that Fountain did not pay the bill. The guys at Lake X have done a great job. Lake X has been calling Fountain but have not got any call backs yet. We found a load of Hidden damage to my drives that were existing when Fountain assembled the boat. Missalignment. Twisted shafts, you name it. I have never seen such a poorly put together boat. I'll be back next week to pick it up. COD if ness. Thanks again Fountain $#@/!!G A@#@)&%S...