35 vs 38
 

Currently in a 26 Velocity, and looking to step up to something a bit bigger and faster. Been looking at the 35 and 38 fountains. We rarely if ever overnight so the cabin space is mostly for storage and escaping the osccasional thunderstorm. See a lot of 496 boats out there but would prefer something with 500 efis if budget permits. Questions are as follows :

• What speed difference are we talking about with black motors vs the blue top?

• Is there a big difference in the ride quality given the small size difference ?

• What price can one realistically look at spending for both motor options ?

• Looking to keep the budget under 80k

Appreciate any feedback.

In a 32 there is about 4-5 mph difference but the acceleration is a lot better with blue.

Plus greater durability and resale.

Speaking for the 35's,

Twin step hull will be 7-10 faster than the single step with the same power.

On either hull a 525 EFI Blue motor will have the Black 496 by an easy 10. From the few Twin step Lightings I have heard numbers on with the 496 Mag HO's run right around the 80 mark, the 525 boats run right at 90 if set up right.

If your Blue motors of choice are the 500 Carb or EFI's the difference will be somewhat less than with the 525's. These, the 525's, are much stronger running motors. Believe me, I have had both. Also have owned both single and twin step 35's.

Not the expert on the 38's. Almost bought one once, they can be faster than the 35's if they are set up right. The 38 twin step hull was worked over more than once to max it out back in the Factory racing days and it can show in how it performs. Real advantage here is a full staggered set up, same will hold with the newest of the 35's, the staggered boats will run far faster than any of the side by side boats. Life is all about choices, Fountain has many to pick from in this size range.

Ragged the black motor single step is 75-77 mph boat. I don't think the twin step is 7-10 mph faster than a single. I'm sure we can find examples but I think as an average that would be high. Naturally set up plays a big part in this also. I know Joe (mild thunder) has a straight bottom 38 that runs very well.

Op what year ranges are you talking as a 38 fever is quite different than a 38 lightning?

Actually Raggeds estimates are right on the money.

I agree with most of it. Just don't think the twin step is power for power 10 mph faster than single. If the twin with black motors runs 80 it's closer to 3 mph difference as the single step runs 78 by a test. My single step test report (I know they aren't exact but generally close form what I've read) claims 80.

Would prefer to stay in the 99 or newer models. Prices seem to be very similar for a twin step 38 and 35s. Would it be fair to assume a 38 with t/s would be faster than a single step 35 with the same power ?

Appreciate everyone's feedback .

my single step 35' runs 78mph with 496 mag ho motors.

Good report here. 2002 38 with 575s ran 91ish. I would imagine that is a little quicker than a single step with similar power. Again set up is a lot to do with speed. If you look around enough you will see similar hulls and power numbers and 10mph speed variances. Some is due to guessed hp vs dyno or dyno correction numbers even. I'd think a single step 35 would 600 to touch 90. So the 38 twin is faster.

https://www.boats.com/reviews/retooled-rocket/

That makes sense. My Reggie report showed 80 for mine with 502 mags. Naturally no fuel/gear and likely a favorable current. Lol. I'm building some carb motors. Hoping for 600+ hp and 90mph when set up right. Lol

I have a 98 35 single step with 585hp a side, stellings ext. box's up 2", and -2 imco shorties. I haven't messed with props yet but with 30p bravo's best I have seen is 89.2mph. I need to get some hydro's on it, but having a tough time finding a set of 28 or 29's to test with a removable hub or a 1.25 solid

I moved from a 27 Checkmate to a 35 Ex and was in heaven with the handling and ride quality vs anything I'd had before. I was a happy camper until a rode in and bought a 38 Fever. After having owned my 38 for a while I hopped in a 35 twin step for a test run and it literally felt like a toy to me. That extra 3 feet does make a big difference in ride quality.

A 2002 Lightning with 575's gets you in the high 90's! :party-smiley-048:

My 2000 38 Lightning twin small step w/ 500 efi's worked a bit runs 84. They make 580hp and 600tq. It could be purchased.....

When i bought my 38 ( before I bought my 38 ) Pete told mey boat would Run 98. Well that's what it ran. 98.0 gps. I think the 35 is the biggest of the small fountains and the 38 is the smallest of the big fountains . Even thought they are very close in size. The 35 is much faster better handeing boat imo

Really? Friend of mine has a late model staggered 38 with 600's and I think it rides great - much better than mine.

The 38 Fever is not known to be fast when comparing to the other fountain hulls. My old straight bottom 38 fever ran 71mph with 420s and TRS on perf report when new. It was then refitted with a pair of 650hp troy dennis supercharged engines, and #4 speedmasters in the late 90s. It ran 82mph after that. When i bought it, i installed 800hp engines, and it ran 90. I know salt is a couple miles an hour faster, so im sure it might do low 90s in salt. The #4s and trannies do eat up quite a bit more power than a #4, so again, im sure with some shorty bravos Id gain a fair amount of speed too , but i would rather not give up the reliability of the speedmasters as i boat in rougher waters usually.

The twin step 38 fevers were a bit faster than the straight bottoms, but not a ton. The steps were small. The 38 Fever has the biggest cockpit Ive seen in a Fountain. Actually bigger than most boats in its size range cockpit and sunpad wise. The cabin suffers a bit due to that. The vee berth is big , im 6'1 and sleep comfortable with my girl in there. The galley area is fairly small, but still quite a bit larger than a 35.

I think the 35 is a bit more of a corvette type of handling/ride, where the 38 is more like a Challenger. Heavier and not as nimble, but does have a better ride.

Joe not to mention the fever didn't have the walk around and gained cockpit width there also.

Yes, thats where it gains a bunch of cockpit width. Getting on the deck of the 38 fever, is a pain, esp if you have the lexan windshield. I have the aluminum fairing, so leaning/steppin on the base of it is no big deal.

That's what the hatch is for. We just use it now.

I want the aluminum fairing for mine.