38 Express Cruiser - Advice on buying
10-19-2016 | 03:16 PM
#11
Registered
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 356
Likes: 2
From: Clinton, Iowa / LOTO 20MM
I took 525's out of my 38 express s/f. Had Marker 17 design bracket and install 3 300 verado's. Best conversation ever. Plains off ALOT faster. Floats 10 inches higher as well. Still runs 66 mph with all that cabin. Only 38 express that I know of with outboards. Now me & my family can enjoy without me being up-side down in the engine compartment with something leaking or making noise. Can change oil in generator in 10 minutes. Wish I would have done it years ago. There are very good running & handling boats. They are the best of both worlds as family/performance boating. We spend weekends on ours.
10-19-2016 | 03:55 PM
#13
Platinum Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,438
Likes: 3,967
From: Midwest & T-Rock
10-19-2016 | 07:12 PM
#14
21 and 42 footers
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,207
Likes: 146
From: Richmond VA
I took 525's out of my 38 express s/f. Had Marker 17 design bracket and install 3 300 verado's. Best conversation ever. Plains off ALOT faster. Floats 10 inches higher as well. Still runs 66 mph with all that cabin. Only 38 express that I know of with outboards. Now me & my family can enjoy without me being up-side down in the engine compartment with something leaking or making noise. Can change oil in generator in 10 minutes. Wish I would have done it years ago. There are very good running & handling boats. They are the best of both worlds as family/performance boating. We spend weekends on ours.
10-20-2016 | 07:11 AM
#15
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Yes. Brain did the rigging and bracket design on Matt's 48 and my 38. He knows these Fountains very well. I filled in the notch in the transom and Brian had an aluminum tray built that is used for storage in the bilge (a lot of room down there with inboards out). After driving & riding on Matt's boat when it had diesel's then outboards it was a no brainer for me. My 38 handles, docks, plains, and EXCELLERATES a lot better. Fuel economy is better as well. Doesn't feel heavy anymore. It's unbelievable how well it plans out. Don't even have to use tabs. Jumps out like a CC. I am trying to figure out how to transfer pics from my phone. There was a lot done to this boat last winter. Came with a soft top and was converted to a hard top.
10-20-2016 | 01:00 PM
#16
Registered
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 393
From: Indianapolis, Lake Cumberland
Yes. Brain did the rigging and bracket design on Matt's 48 and my 38. He knows these Fountains very well. I filled in the notch in the transom and Brian had an aluminum tray built that is used for storage in the bilge (a lot of room down there with inboards out). After driving & riding on Matt's boat when it had diesel's then outboards it was a no brainer for me. My 38 handles, docks, plains, and EXCELLERATES a lot better. Fuel economy is better as well. Doesn't feel heavy anymore. It's unbelievable how well it plans out. Don't even have to use tabs. Jumps out like a CC. I am trying to figure out how to transfer pics from my phone. There was a lot done to this boat last winter. Came with a soft top and was converted to a hard top.
10-20-2016 | 01:18 PM
#18
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 24,215
Likes: 1,613
From: Worldwide
I took 525's out of my 38 express s/f. Had Marker 17 design bracket and install 3 300 verado's. Best conversation ever. Plains off ALOT faster. Floats 10 inches higher as well. Still runs 66 mph with all that cabin. Only 38 express that I know of with outboards. Now me & my family can enjoy without me being up-side down in the engine compartment with something leaking or making noise. Can change oil in generator in 10 minutes. Wish I would have done it years ago. There are very good running & handling boats. They are the best of both worlds as family/performance boating. We spend weekends on ours.
10-20-2016 | 01:27 PM
#19
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
