considering purchasing a fountain
09-08-2011, 11:14 AM
#11
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Why would you own a Fountain? There are alot cheaper, slower, more comfortable boats out there if speed is not important. Sounds like you are in the wrong forum. Again!
09-08-2011, 01:36 PM
#12
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Most Fountains will do 80+ but that doesn't mean you have to drive it balls out. My boats best fuel economy is 70mph and that is where I operate it while cruising.
09-08-2011, 06:33 PM
#14
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96 will be faster but will suck more gas and cost more on insurance. Are you concerned with speed or not. My 29 does 70 but i rarely even do above 50-55, so why have a boat that does 80? Just depends on what you want. If the 96 is in worse shape I would take the older one. Stepped hulls depending on how many steps are not as good in rough water either
09-09-2011, 07:17 AM
#17
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You cant tell me even with a step the twin 502's will be better on gas, they wont and once you get above 80mph or 83 your insurance goes up. I have been reading where steps are better for going faster but actually are better in rough water. The 96 sounds like a better boat that doesn't mean it's better for somebody. We always like to think bigger and faster is better but not always because it may be more than what somebody wants or wants to spend on it. Like I said the 91 still going to do 60-65, whats the problem
09-09-2011, 09:27 AM
#18
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Where are you getting these "FACTS" because they are not what Ive seen in reality. My boat does over 80 and my insurance is no more because of it. Again, why do you own a fountain?
09-09-2011, 05:13 PM
#19
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Mine is a 2000 32 sportfish cruiser, so it has the single stepped bottom. With twin 454 magnums, a T top, and eisen glass enclosure, I can hit the rev limiters at 5K and 55 knots (70 mph) on GPS in salt water.
I almost never do that, however. 20 to 25 knots is really all the Pacific Ocean will allow a little boat to go, most days.
Personally, I found the twin engines to be far too much weight for this size boat, so I've taken the twins out. I'm still trying to decide if I want to put a single big block back in (I've done the stringer work, had the transom filled in, so I can do that tomorrow if I decide). Or, perhaps I'll go with single or twin outboards and have a big cockpit, which would be nice.
Not only was the weight a problem, but I am now totally against the idea of twin engines in a side-by-side installation. Staggered, OK. This side-by-side arrangement makes service and inspections very painful. The result is I've been ripped off by all three mechanics who worked on the boat. They claimed they did stuff that, when I had the engines taken out, its very clear they did not do. They got away with it because its impossible to inspect without taking them out.
I almost never do that, however. 20 to 25 knots is really all the Pacific Ocean will allow a little boat to go, most days.
Personally, I found the twin engines to be far too much weight for this size boat, so I've taken the twins out. I'm still trying to decide if I want to put a single big block back in (I've done the stringer work, had the transom filled in, so I can do that tomorrow if I decide). Or, perhaps I'll go with single or twin outboards and have a big cockpit, which would be nice.
Not only was the weight a problem, but I am now totally against the idea of twin engines in a side-by-side installation. Staggered, OK. This side-by-side arrangement makes service and inspections very painful. The result is I've been ripped off by all three mechanics who worked on the boat. They claimed they did stuff that, when I had the engines taken out, its very clear they did not do. They got away with it because its impossible to inspect without taking them out.
09-09-2011, 09:52 PM
#20
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A 502 in a stepped hull will get better mileage the a 454 in a non-stepped hull at the same speed. The difference in insurance would be only if the value was more or it went over 100mph. Why would it be worse in rough water? Buy the boat that does 60 and you will wish you bought the one that does 80.
As said no matter what you buy you will always want more and faster.
I do like the nonstep hull in the rough snotty stuff though I will agree, just my opinion.
