Left hand throttle- Adjustment time?
 

Seriously thinking about a Fountain. How much and how long of an adjustment did it take some of you to take to the left hand throttle/ tabs/ drives?

Took me half a day, funny thing is right side now seem awkward. It is really a non issue

IMO you it takes more time adjusting to the drive switches and indicators beign upside down than it does the controls on the left.

Be aware if the engine is at idle and you are not at the helm the sticks are open to others inside the boat (clutz, kids dumb girls) so make sure they know to stay away :D

+1 took no time and I really don't know if I would want to go back.

I also like the shift-throttle-throttle-shift arrangement, it makes docking a breeze.

no issues at all, handled fine with my first drive of the boat. Like the others, would not want to go back.

Like the others have said, it didn't take much time at all for me to get the hang of it either. Throttling with the left will seem normal before you know it.

What year/size range of a Fountain are you thinking about?

It's an 88 29ft. I know it is an oldie but it looks to be in great shape with some newer features and extras.

This was my first year with mine it took about 10 minutes and now it's second nature...

It seems natural, it is different at first, but in no time at all it become natural. I wouldn't want it any other way.

one day and you will like it better. I feel weird now in my other boat.

I would rather steer with my right hand. Left throttle is great but they should be up higher in the back.so you can push forward instead of basically lifting up. JOHN SR

I had a 87 10 Meter ICBM and took to the left hand throttles real fast.

No problem at all

The transition to left controls was not difficult. I have one issue with that arrangement. I always tell passengers to make sure they don't bump into the throttles if they're moving in/out of the left seat or going into the cabin.
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I have had my 47 Lightning for a full year now & I still don't like the left hand throttles BUT it would NOT be a deal breaker for buying a Fountain.:ernaehrung004:

I've driven (calm lake) a sit down boat with throttles on the left and it felt awkward. I always wondered about a Fountain in rough water. Especially with the angle of them not going forward or back. I just think about my stick shift cars and know that I would never be able to power shift with my left hand like I can with my right hand. I'm sure you would get use to it with seat time. Does anyone know the reason Reggie designed the throttles on the left?

Think about the height of the designer! He pushes forward

Every airplane co-pilot in the world has used left hand throttles.

My understanding, most people are right hand dominant and his opinion is/was that your dominant hand should be the one in control of the steering.

I was under the impression it had to do with the race idea where as the passenger could handle throttles when rough. Some of the early fountains I've looked at had side by side helm seat and that would make sense.

You would think it makes sense, except for hull #000001 has divided bolsters

I have heard so much folklore about the controls on the left side it is crazy. Me, I just think it is personal preference and to be different, just like the beak.