need advise on 42 footer
 

The time has come that we are ready to move up. I want a big step 42. With that being said are there any year model ranges that seem to be poorly built/sealed. I know a survey is in order but are there any years or range of years that seem prone to untimely transom jobs? My current fountain is an 88 29 fever and it is absolutely rock solid. Not even 1 single stress crack it the gel. I hope that the later years carried the same workmanship as my current boat. Any advice would be appreciated.
Scott

Fountains , leakers , rott go hand in hand , very porous glass work . Dont leave it in the water too long .

I'm with 575. They did not finish my transom like they did any other part of the boat. I've always been partial to the look of Fountains, but their fit and finish is less than desired compared to others like OL, DW, DCB, Skater, etc. I only name those brands because I've seen them up close. I'm close to OCD and some of the things drive me crazy. It's one thing I hoped they've changed in recent years. I've posted this in other threads, but the drain plug housing was never sealed properly and had it fixed as soon as I got my boat when I would see a little water in the bilge and my boat doesn't stay in the water. Fixed the problem.

I have a customer with a 98 42 big step that we rerigged with 572 ci supercharged dual Dominator Carbs number V speedmasters full staggered custom dash that's he wants to sell hasn't run it in about 5 years we pickled the motors a couple of years ago just needs some TLC and a new cockpit interior. Reggie signature series paint job mostly white with red and black stripe.

I noticed you frequently post the same thing over & over about Fountains... they're not all leakers, owner neglect plays a huge roll, you obviously had a bad beak experience.. care to share? ALL boats with wood cores will deteriorate over time in some fashion if leaks are not dealt with, To the OP do your due diligence & have any used boat inspected by an experienced glass guy , there are lots of solid older boats running around My ..02

When I cut the reliefs in the vee near the transom for the main 1.5 water pickup and in the strakes for the intercooler pickups I could not believe the cavities in the glass and water come leaking out you could stick finger or so in there not kidding , as I mentioned a couple years back they would make great drug smuggling boats . there is another guy I know with a 01 47 that had mushrooms starting to grow out from between the transom assemblies and the hull , yes sir . for the time I owned my 42 it stayed inside all the time .I noticed the cabin floor getting soft and I was done with it I was not going to go there .

Between my brother and I, we have had 5 fountains ranging from 1991-2005. No rot on any of them. Clown

ya, i just fixed what looked to be a flake in a customers swim platform up in the corner. after grinding out layers on layers and got past the delam i got it fixed. but that boat was a mint early 2000/s boat....

sounds like my kind of boat... pics? price?

hey scott my name is john i have a friend that has went through a divorce he has a 2002 42ft big step been sitting about four years if u will call me 601-506-2966 trying too help a friend boat is really nice call me i will tell u about the rest thanks John cheap price

Will do taco, thanks

Post some pics here. You can use photobucket to host them.

Just bought a 99 42 Lightning, solid as a rock no issues. My fourth Fountain and the oldest.

Also 98-99 were the big step boats. After that the steps got smaller. Not as small as 95-97 but not as large as 98-99

Any explanation on why they went to smaller steps?

I hav a 98 42 lightning if someone wants a project. It needs power Trans asy tabs an steering. Has nice interior an a trailer

From everything I've read it sounds like older fountains were built better than newer ones.

Yes. They went from the 98-99 step to a smaller version. The 98-99 could easily reach high speeds but supposedly the later versions handled the high speeds better. From my understanding these are speeds above 120 or so. The last revision to the 42 bottom I think was in 04. There is a thread somewhere where Scott shogren explained all the 42 bottoms in detail.

Have an 04, same bottoms as the newer ones. Rides and handles great.

but he's goes and buys another one... lol I have no further questions your honor :evilb:

I know huh .

Another rock solid 42 here. No leaks in water 24, 48 hrs and running all day.

Must be extremely lucky that mine is solid. It's in a well all summer every year since 1999.

575 post a pic, looks like an awesome setup, thx Chris

We have a very clean 98 42 with fresh power, lift stored in summer, kept inside at our place now.

http://performanceboatcenter.busines...lightning.html

Glenn Labor
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