Soon to be new owner (hopefully)!!!
 

Hi all.. New to the forum!! Been out of boating for about 20 years (life, kids, etc) but now getting back in.

Currently looking at a 2000 Lightning 38 with 500 EFI's with 250 hours on them. Boat is in very good condition and from appearances, looks like its been well kept. Having survey done this week.

Anything particular with this model year on boat or engines that I should really look out for? Appreciate any feedback.

Hope all goes well with the survey. The only thing I can think of is the 500's need valve springs replaced etc every 200 to 300 hrs or so. I replace impellers every season, don't need that problem while being out on the water. Good luck

There are a few cosmetic issues like some pitting around the interior frame of the windshield and it looks like it was painted over a bit. Is there a good way to remove that and restore it?

I had to re-paint my windshield frame on my 06 38EC. Removed windshield, stripped the powder coat with chemical paint remover and took it to a local paint shop to re-paint. I re-painted mine red to match the color of the boat. Came out and went back on very easy. I think the painter used an epoxy primer with a single stage polyurethane paint. No corrosion for about 3 years now on the new paint. Good luck and hope you get the boat.

Thanks, that's helpful. Having my friend who's a performance engine guru check out engines tomorrow morning and if that goes well, full survey and sea trial this Saturday and if that goes well, she'll be mine. Not getting a lot of sleep these days from the excitement and anticipation!!!

If you are going to do the top ends, do the head gaskets as well. Merc ran a single layer head gasket those years, a MLS head gasket is cheap insurance.

I also had my windshield repainted, I color matched it to the boat and it looks 100 times better IMO. For some reason the dark blue gives it a sleeker look.

Besides that, just the normal. Change impellers and housings, filters, oil, gas and go. Let her eat, great bottom and an easy boat to drive fast in any conditions.

Congrats.

Well, new wrinkle... Found another one.. a 2005 with staggered 525 efi's with less than 100 hours on it. Seriously considering this one as well... Aside from the obvious that it's 5 years younger and far fewer hours... it's also twice the price... any 2005 staggered 38 owners out there care to comment???

Only thing I can think of on that model would be to carefully inspect the headers. Leak test those with a fine tooth comb.

That's the latest bottom, like mine. Bigger steps, may have monster gauges. Also has composites in some areas the 2000 did not. The 525 also has XR's, the 2000 most like has B1. Many of the semi stag boats of that year also have ITS, nice options. The 2005 may also have paint/clear vs just gel found on many of the older models.

That 2000 small step boat stock is 80 mph with 500's. The 2005 semi stag with 525 should run 90, and many have reached mid 90's with prop and x changes with imco lowers. I have not witnessed these numbers in person, have only read and heard. Bottom line the 525 is a stout engine. The headers should be sent back to CMI, but not every header fails....we just hear about the ones that do....and it is never good.

Both nice rides, but not an apples to apples comparison, hence the price jump :lolhit:

Personally if you can afford it go newer. You won't depreciate much over the next few years, the 2000 is already a problem to finance which will effect resale if you want out in the near future. Sans the headers the 525s are bulletproof, smart craft compatable, closed cooled, and have better impeller technology. The 2005 hardware alone (engines, drives, transom ass) are $30k more on the used market vs what is on the 2000

+1...have headers checked...spend the extra money..get the 05. MUCH better boat...IMO.

Yeah... I think I'm going with the '05... stay tuned..

I've read a lot about the header issues as well on the 525's. Don't rag on me too much for this, but I'm not likely to be doing 80's on a regular basis. More likely to be cruising in the 50-60 mph range most often with the occasional thrill ride. My question is really do the header problems surface if the engines are pushed hard frequently or is it more a function of the engine design generally?

With those headers, ... "it just is", meaning there is nothing specific that causes failure. Some get lucky ... and some don't. Some say it is the extra unsupported length on the staggered engines, others say salt water, others just say $hitty quality, and others have no problems at all. :pray: There is a merc service bulletin to remove the rear hose, plug that bung and change the flow restrictor bushings. Supposed to put more water flow around the tubes. Supposedly the "pre-cool collar" are worse, but there have been failures of the ones with cool collars, too. Usually it is in the welds where they either develop pinholes, or crack. I started draining mine after every outing ... I couldn't stand the thought of those headers trashing my nice metallic blue and polished stainless steel masterpiece that merc made while I was home, asleep, after a fun day of boating ....

Is it the crazy graphic 38 from LOTO??

It's not that one, but I will glady share once the deal gets done. I am going with the 2005.

The one in Jersey?

In fairness to seller, don't want to identify the boat until after sea trial / survey in case there's a problem and deal doesn't proceed. Promise to share afterwards though!!! I can't seem to upload attachments, anyone know why that would be?

i may be wrong but i think you have to be a paying member to upload pics

Can anyone recommend a GPS unit ? I've been looking at the Lowrance HDS-7M Gen2 and the Garmin GPSMAP 740... Anyone have experience with either one?

Took delivery yesterday!!! 2005 Lightning 38, staggered 525 EFI's..... can't wait until tomorrow!!!

We need PICS and lots of them

Will do! I think I need to upgrade my membership first.

You can host on photo bucket or something similar and just post the links.





http://i.ebayimg.com/t/FOUNTAIN-Flag...6,g~~60_35.JPG

Sweet!! That's one ofy favorite boats!! I'm hoping that's my next boat. Awesome boats! I think you did right by going newer. All the info I've read shows the 525's are awesome motors.

Congrats and looking forward to see the pics.

Congrats! You will not regret the choice to go with a Fountain and the 525's are one awesome power package.

Welcome to the family of boats the others wish they belonged to !!!

Very nice man....congrats. Wise choice.

You don't have to convince me. I've wanted a Fountain since I was in my 20's which is when I had my last boat (88 Chris craft 260 stinger). 20+ years and three kids later, I finally got my Fountain. Had her out today. Simply awe-inspiring. Will post some pics in the next day or so.

Here's a few pics... [ATTACH=CONFIG]501913[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]501914[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]501915[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]501916[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]501917[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]501918[/ATTACH]

Very Nice ......

Nice looking!

Nice boat! I heard the guy that previously owned it took excellent care of it....

Looks sweet!! Congrats!!

Very nice. Congrats!

Yes, he did. Everyone thinks its new. He'll be glad to know its in good hands and is being well cared for.

Amazing boat and congratulations.

I apologize for this question but while looking at your setup questions were running through my head.....
How much closer do the drives get when comparing the standard side by side twin, semi-staggered and full staggered setups? Better balance and CG must improve with bringing drives closer. Prop shaft to water surface has to be very similar in all three setups due to stringer heights. What are the performance affects of moving the drives closer with relation to the deeper part of the V? (What are the affects of prop shaft to bottom of hull ratio here.)

Thanks

Thanks!! Its a great boat in every aspect. In my case, to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I would experience much difference from a performance standpoint. I'm going to be running this boat mainly in the 50-70 mph range. From my experience so far, it's a smooth ride and on the out-of-water situations, the boat comes down nice and tight, so that could be the lower CG. For me, the biggest benefit of the staggered motors is the accessibility. A lot easier to get to stuff than if they were side by side and I think that's worth a LOT!! The one thing I have noticed with the drives being closer together is with respect to docking; need a little more throttle on reverse to spin the boat than I've needed on my previous boat but not an issue at all.

Just curious, what props does it have. Mine has BBlades 15 1/2 X 28 and it takes a little finess to get it on plane, a lot of prop slip getting on plane, (don't know if the sportmaster lowers play a part in this) tops out 88-89 on gps, would love to see 90

Nice - whatca gonna name it??

15 1/4 x 32 P Bravo I's on Bravo XR drives. Mine gets out of the hole pretty quick. Don't know top end yet; still getting used to the boat and being a little conservative. Plus I was seeing low water pressure and I replaced my pumps this week and pressure is much better now. On the sea trial, we hit 83 with three guys on board and full fuel tanks. I have to believe with lighter fuel load and proper trim, I can get upper 80's.

Hy-Five (of course)... my last name starts with HY and I have three kids... hence...