Advice.... Buying a Fountain!
 

Hey Guys and Gals,

I am looking for some advice and thoughts about a Fountain I am looking to buy. It is a 91 Fever with 250 hours on it. Original owner(who is 75) now, says he bought the boat custom ordered and it was not fast enough. He has a 800hp 502 built for it which pushes it along around 90mph. The engine has about 100 hours on it.

Here is my concerns:

The boat has been sitting in storage for the past 7 years, It was winterized (Minnesota thing) and prepped for winter. It is stored in a insulated garage build specifically for it.

The boat is like new minus a lot of dust from sitting.

I can pick it up for $16,000 w/ trailer.

Any thoughts on this? I have a buddy that builds race cars who if I buy it will get it right away to drain fluid and check/replace valve springs along with checking cylinders and so on. The seller told me the engine cost him 32,000 when it was built.

Ok, what do you think??

Hmmmm So where exactly is it?

Gamble and pick it up, you really cannot lose

I agree with ya VooDoo... Since I am new to Fountains just want to make sure there isn't anything I should watch out for. FordF350, I will let you know when I pick it up :)

7 years is a long time. I'd have that engine looked at. $16,000 for a 91 hull and a trailer is alot

Well after getting everything ready to get this fountain last weekend. The seller called me up Sunday night and said the boat sold. Second time this has happened to me, I need to put money down next time UGH!!!

Now I have my eye on a 1998 27 Fever with Stroker 496 (540hp on dyno) under 10 hours on new engine. Boat is in great shape probably pick it up for $20,000 what do you guys think? High? Low?

I dont know I bought my 91 3 years ago for 25 and that was at or below market price then. I think you would have a hard time finding a used running fountain of any age for much less than 20 let alone one in good shape. Try searching all the boat adds, very hard to find fountains really under about 23k.

20k for a 97 seems like a pretty good deal.

Price seems right, but most times you get what you pay for. Being 20+ years old, definitely ask the owner if regular preventive maintenance has been performed (engine/drive servicing, replacement of rubber components; hoses, belts, drive bellows, etc, and if so, does he have maintenance records? Also has the boat been stored in the water for long periods (possible rotten stringers). Assuming it passes a good hull and engine/drive survey, you should be golden. Good luck.

I have mine for sale . take a look . Tom

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o51874-en.html

as long as it was stores properly, i wouldnt be scared of it being stored, I know guys get worried. But if the engine was stored properly, really you would have to worry about dry rot on rubber and plastic stuff, and possible mice and such. I would definitely get a survey done, or at the very minumum have an engine guy check out the engine, listen to it run, check every cubby hole and cabinet. Check the cabin for soft or weak spots on the floor or under the bed, etc.

If hes asking 16, I would even ask him down more if you want it. But even at 16 if you had to throw a couple grand to bring it up to snuff it would still be a good deal. Like I said earlier try finding a fountain period thats 27ft or longer that runs and is in good shape for under 20 grand.

In fact after checking boattrader and over 400 fountains cheapest one was 25k at 16 I would be pulling the trigger http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...ever-101837990

Well the 1998 looks like a good option, I can't see it til Tuesday but I am thinking we will pull the trigger on that one. It has low hours and looks like new from the pictures. I will keep ya posted.

I am still MAD about loosing that 91 Fountain but for a little bit more money I am getting 7 years newer with NO problems and lake ready... So I guess it is worth it :)

good luck. boats are different than cars in that they are not used daily. Sure with time comes issues with water damage and what not and the older it is you must be more careful. But really when you look at it, in the last 20 years specially on fountains the boat its self has not changed beyond color schemes and some small designs like windshields and what not. If it were me Id rather have a 10 year old boat before a 3 years old boat if it had less hours and was well taken care of. Out of all the people that have ever commented on the age the oldest I have ever gotten was a 2001, most think its about 5 years old. So if its taken care of and you take care of it, a boat can last a long time.

Thanks for that info!! I am kinda anal about my boats they get cleaned every time they come out of the water. So I assume this Fountain will last me a long time...

I will post some pics if the deal gets made!! I am very excited!~

Fountains will last a long time if they are cared for properly. Get yourself a certified surveyor and preferably one that specializes in or does a lot of performance boats. And more importantly, can do the appropriate engine tests, ie: compression test, leak down test, etc. it's money we'll spent and you can find out all the little things you might want to know about the boat. Good luck !!

Good luck, hopefully you can pick it up for that price but I will tell you mine is a year older and I wouldn't even return a phone call for 20K. Not even sure 25K. IMO if he is selling it for that much I would take the advice above and get a surveyor to go through it. Good luck, once you get one you will love it. Send us some pics once you can.

I would agree that boats closer to the 30-35k range. But then again with gas prices and the economy the boat market isnt what i once was and some people just need cash. But at 20k thats kind of giving it away. Last years I came across a Fifth wheel market on them was 26-34k. I paid 18, went to the guys house and he was talking about building it himself and noticed his exterior wasnt done, and he kind of hinted at needed cash. Threw down 18 and drove away with it, trailer still had stickers on the sinks and plastic on the cushions at 5 years old. So there are deals out there.

Buying a boat for a "good" price is easy these days. Buying a "good" boat at a "good" price is not so easy.

I agree there are deals out there. And then there is always the real price that will sell it, and the listing price of comps that have been on the market for a year.

Selling any kind of recreation equipment today is painstaking to say the least. Find the one that is free and clear, and show a frustrated seller that you are serious with the means to buy today and you may win a deal.

This time of year is what I always called point of no return for buying or selling. if you live in the north the 4th of july weekend is always considered about the half way point, really only about 8 weekends left maybe a few more after that, but usually after labor day it slows down, shops close etc. But a guy selling at this point either has told himself Im going to use this thing through rest of the summer and dump it in the fall, but fall sales are usually fire sales. Or the guy has a new boat and hes hoping to sell this one to help pay off his loan or he just wants the dang boat gone, sick of looking at it, takes time and money to keep something even if you do not use it.

Well I think I got a good deal on it! 1998 Fountain Fever 27 (496 Stroker 540 Dyno HP 30hrs on engine) 280hrs on boat - $21K + Detail Job and Full tank of gas.... It is in really good condition, couple very small gel coat spots to fix. Engine started right up and ran great. Interior is in really nice condition minus 3 little spots by the seems. It is 2 hours away to pick it up so I am chopping to get out of work to get it for this weekend.

That's a smoking deal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If it's all good. :daz:

I am not sure how to post pics or I would!!

I think you can click the link below and that will show you some pics... If not, I don't know...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98387053@N04/

Looks nice. Watch that windshield and side windows they are fragile and expensive. Don't ask how I know.

Congrats......That is a nice looking boat.... :Score-101010:

Thanks mesh! I agree I am really excited to get in the water today!!

Mayor looking at that design I could see some very costly repairs.. Thanks for the advice! I can see if I did need to replace it you might be a good connection. Haha.

Have a great 4th weekend Fountain Geeks!!!

Wow.. Awesome boat and a great deal. I am looking at 27 fountains now.

Boots.... Im selling my 27, could write paragraph after paragragh how clean it is etc, but you must see it to appreciate it. check her out!
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o53147-en.html