1997 35 Lightning speed
 

I have come across a smokin deal on a 1997 35' Lightning single step. The only sticking point is that it has 454 MPI Mags (385 HP). How fast can I realistically expect this boat to do? I also have a line on a 99 32' fever, with newly rebuilt 502s. I have read on here that the 32 feels like a lot less boat on the water, vs the 35. Also, I already have a 3/4 ton diesel, so towing either of them wouldn't be an issue.
I boat in North Texas mostly, Lake Lewisville, Possum Kingdom, and Texoma occasionally, so i really don't see much "big water" outside of cruiser wakes. I am leaning towards the 35, just curious if it's going to be a dog getting on plane, and what I'm looking at for top speed. I would be happy in the low 70s, just not sure it's going to get there with that setup. Thanks in advance for the help!

Absolutely it will run in the low 70s. Candyman here on the board has the same setup on a 97...I've ridden with him and driven the boat...you will not notice the difference getting on plane, for certain, and the boat was only 2-3 mph slower than mine with 502 EFIs.

I agree 100 percent. Kills me how the 502 makes everyone think the 454 is garbage. Both mag engines are great! 30 hp per side and you are worried? if someone had changed the stickers on the intake to 502 mag I bet you wouldn't even know the difference.


The 32 is a good boat. But the 35 has much better resale, sits better in the water. I can't speak for the ride, but I can tell you my 38 is worlds over a 35 in rough so I imagine the 35 would have that advantage on the 32.

I completely agree with you on the 454 vs the 502. I currently have a 502 in my boat now, and it power seems to flatten out on the top end, and I've read several people feel the same, that the last few hundred RPMs don't seem to make much difference in speed. I know the 454 doesn't do that, I didn't think it would be that big of a difference, i just wanted to make sure before I pulled the trigger on the purchase. Thanks for the reply guys!

go for the 35. you won't know the defference . low 70 , no problem

I owned a 32 before my 35, the 32 was a great boat, my first with twin engines, but I really liked the ride of the 35 over the 32 worlds apart.
I had 525's SC in my 35 and it ran 80 MPH with one person light on fuel.
The 32 had 454 mags, and it ran 74 MPH, same deal.

I've got Reggies old 35 here for sale, maintained with an open checkbook, motors refreshed by our shop, blowers sent off to the blower shop, drives gone through all this spring, maybe 15-20hrs on boat since this work done. Upgraded JL stereo w/ dash remote. Here's a link with info and pics.

http://www.performanceboatcenter.com...sp?boat_id=602

Glenn

Glenn.. what will this boat run top end?

Is it me or does everyone have problems seeing " Scrolling through" the pics at PBC? they disappear on me when scrolling.

80 mph, but she's a strong strong runner, she'll hang with the big boys. Hated getting rid of that boat, had her for 9 years, longest I've ever owned a boat. We traded for longer Beak. This boat is worth look, for a 1997, she's a solid 9 out of 10.

It's an awesome looking boat. It's hard to find a late 90s fountain that doesn't have a paint job straight out of Miami vice. I like the color combo on it. I think it's going to be just a touch out of my price range though.

Are you guys able to get financing? I would love to buy this boat, I've had a hell of a time getting financed so I gave up. Was able to buy another house though so go figure!

Reggie, im not to experienced with the 525sc motor..... any feedback would be appreciated?

525sc

454CI
177 Weiand Supercharger
Holley 1050 Dominator carb
Under 8:1 Static compression
about 5lbs of boost stock
35* total timing
Forged crank, rods, and pistons
Crane Roller rockers
crane cam

Very reliable engines. Sound cool at WOT. Very easily upgraded to 600-700HP with a larger supercharger, and a roller cam install if desired.

That's what they are, they were Mercury's hot motors in their day. Always maintained with whatever,whenever they needed anything, they got it. Lots of acceleration with this boat and set up, very strong runner, rock solid set up, Fountain hit a home run with this package.

Had a lot of luck with Bank of The West(even though I don't bank there)....bought a 10 year old boat and they had no problem with it. There are some states they don't service as I moved back and forth to Texas and they will not work with Texas customers. Just sold my Baja and will go through them again if I find the right deal on a larger go fast.

well I guess that just about sums it up. I am all about the reliability factor. I have a friend who has whipples on his 525 efi's and its bin broken most of the summer. I really like these late 90's single step 35 fountains. I like the race farring on the sides. Don't know much about them though, as far as how they handle and things of that nature.

Very fun to drive, sensitive to drive's and trim tabs. You can set her up to run fast and free, or little negative trim for a rock solid drive and ride.
One of the best running Fountains I've been in straight from the Factory, reliability and speed wise.
Fast enough to to thrill you, but safe not to scare you.

:D that is my line, fountains are half way between the super safe wave crushers and the ultra light dancers.

Safety at speed that can't be challenged IMO. Mine is amazing in rough water with the tabs and drives in neutral, fast and stable in chop with drives up and no tab.

Pure and simple, simply the fastest and safest V - Bottom in the world.....
Reggie is and will always be the "KING OF SPEED"

I was never a huge fountain fan, I think because he couple of fountain owners turned me off when I owned my sonic, and there is literally hundreds of fountains on the chesapeake bay. On any given day at a popular dock bar you could easily see 12-15 of them. Then the sexy lines on the 32-35 beaks grew on me. Also I hated the way my sonic performed all the way across the board. Dragging the trim tabs to keep her stable, slowest of all my go fast friends. So I started to say to myself that maybe theres a real good reason why theres a ton of fountains around! I absolutely love the 35 lightning whether it be an older single step or a newer twin step. But the lines on the single step with the race fairing is a timeless look for me that will probably look great forever.

A couple

i too have had them all! Scarabs bajas etc,, nothing compares w/fountains! you aim straight they go straight at any speed! none better- get a 38 if you go over 90 mph in rough water

:D did my fall run this weekend and held it wide open 90 mph +/- in various conditions through out the day. My co pilot was so impressed he was checking 2 diff gps because he could not believe we were going that fast in those conditions (big windshield also makes it deceptive) at every stop it was the same 2 38 fountains, 1 42 number 6 fountain, and two skater cats ther first. Boat is amazingly stable at speed, I still can't figure out how that loto driver spun that ship!

Since Ive owned my old 38, Ive been becoming a bigger and bigger fan of Fountains. My hull is 22 years old, not a stress crack anywhere. Well, there are a couple hairline cracks in the GEL in the upper corners where the glove box is, but minor and strictly cosmetic. Compared to some other boats around here that been on lake michigan, they have structural cracks, from the hull flexing and bending. Ive seen it from bajas to cigarettes to scarabs. Talking older boats mainly, but again im comparing my 1990 to other boats of that era.

So structurally, Im impressed with Fountain. Performance wise, I was out a couple days ago, running along at 85mph. No tabs, drives trimmed a little positive. I was running against a 1ft chop, with a occasional 2ft'er on lake michigan. Stable as can be, no chine walking, no bow flutter, no listing, just motoring along, running true

Having been out many times in heavy seas, and Im not talking about that "get on top of it and run hard", but seas that send a 41 apache airborne. The Fountain does well for what it is, and the hull feels solid when you land hard. It does not have that shuddering, dash is gonna fall off kind of landing. Does it ride a little harder than say a top gun, probably. But doesnt a corvette ride a little harder than a town car? And isnt a corvette a heck of a lot more fun to drive than a town car?

To sum it up, you get solid constructed hull, good speed, good handling. For the most part, whether it be a 35, 38, or 42, if 500's arent enough, upgrading to 800's, 900's, 1000's, are always a option in a fountain. Not many boats can upgrade horspower and accept the new high speed levels as well as a Fountain. Their hulls accept it with a smile.

I know of several 10 Meter and 35's with big power. 100+ is common. These guys go out, and continually run 100+ weekend after weekend. Some may say a 35 is a 31ft boat. Ok, show me some 31ft V bottoms that run as good at 100+. Most of them after 90 you better have you're big boy balls strapped on and a depends undergarment because you just might let out a little pee when that sucker starts getting out of sort.

What Joe is trying to say here is that you should buy my boat. Lol.

Your boat is beautiful.... I sold a strait v though, hen I purchase again it will be a step hull boat for sure. Love the 35 fountain and 32 sunsation.

Ihave a 35 single step with 500HPs its a ROCKET SHIP onthe bay :evilb::party-smiley-004::thankyouthankyou:

Check again dude...mine is a single step. 1995 was the first year. ;)

My apologies, I thought it was 96.... The problem is getting banks to lend on boats of this age. The cash only buyer makes a limited market for these boats. I dont have that kind of money just laying around in a napsack..... The at that you purchased is a remarkable boat by the way. Dude

In my defense as I looked over the pics a second time it is reeeeeeeeeeeeallllllly hard to see that step in the pics mixed in with all that red!!

35 fountain
 

have a 2000 fountain classic w big power, boat is perfect, lots of updates, will make good deal for someone, will run over a 100