Or here's my old one looking for her 4th OWNER !!!!! ...I purchased new and was "possessed" for over 3 yrs.

http://performanceboatbrokerage.com/...sp?boat_id=421

Wow, didn't that just sell not long ago?

But they want the same price with 300 hours on 525's as the one with AC, gen, and 95 hours. Better paint but I would take the low hours,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,not that I am looking.

We can't have you 42 less forever. You need another boat

What is/was wrong with the these 42's??

+1. This is the first I ever heard somebody say they had problems with a 42. Was it boat or rigging???

Don't get me wrong- we had a lot of fun with the boat and hoped to keep it for 15+yrs. Maybe the Ex vs the Lightning had something to do with it.

Here's the short list-

Drive starboard leaking drive fluid when brought home new 1st day.

15 hrs port header gaskets leaking-replaced starboards as well
Impellor port water pump

80 hrs Re-man XR starboard
94 hrs Port drive main bearing
107 hrs New XR starboard
111 hrs New left drive shaft/couplers inside bilge port engine


Electrical wiring bow light, GPS, pilot lights, and 525 solenoid
Carpet falling off inside cabin - sparse adhesives
Lots of stress/spider cracks - deck, dash, walk around, rear vents, swim platform - This was very disappointing to say the least !!!

Hardware falling off doors, cabinets
Bolster seats - crooked and wouldn't raise level as new
3 coolers- cheap thin plastic kept breaking - after 3rd one just said F--- it and brought a carry on.

Port CMI headers cracked and leaking water in oil

I figured this boat was a Bad Omen from day 1- delivered new boat with no mention of this till we
arrived to sign papers - THANKS !!!

They must have been building the older boats better. My 1990 38 is solid as a rock. No stress cracking, or anything like that. Well, there is just a couple gel crack lines in the deck hatch drain slots, but other than that, its solid. Same goes for my buddy Mike Sommer. His 1995 35 is solid and crack free. Another buddies 2005 42, not so much.

Lake Michigan will separate the good from the bad real fast!!

Agreed.

My 1993 35 I purchased in 1998 from original owner was trouble free for 8 yrs
except port trim pump after 7yrs- NO STRESS CRACKS
Guess that's why the original owner decided he wanted it back. Dumb move on my part !!! LOL

Ok I think I am keeping my 2000 32, at least I know the boat

My 1997 47' Fountain has been an absolute gem. It has only mild power and triples and I don't whip it so the motors and drives have been perfect with just regular maintenance (I also always use full synthetic oil and lubricants whenever available.