Would you say updated from yours? Do you have the wood accented cabin? What would you change about your cockpit?

100% agree with the cockpit interior needing updating. The boats look so streamline then the interiors are all blocks. Throttle and shifter location just makes me think of a fishing boat being almost vertical. I understand they're put there from the old racing days but still. The cabin/berth however since redesign in '08 is probably one of my favorites.

I'm sure the center consoles have to do with new go fast boat sales, not to mention what seems like crazy inflation...

And the new one for sale others have referred to looks to me like they're trying to get too much alcantara in the boat which looks like an outerlimits, which makes me think of a strictly poker runner, not a real boat.

The fountains along with cigarette if you ask me are the classic go fast. They'll continue to make awesome boats, just need some tweaking.

I ask you the same. What would you change about the 07+ cockpit? I'm just curious. The location of the shift/throttle is loved by many. I prefer it over what my formula had. I keep reading it needs updating and I'm curious what people would do to update it. I understand some would get rid of the analog gauges and do it all with the smart craft type screens. The new 38 has that. Would you change dash shape? Location?

The giant flat dash panel, gauges behind the steering wheel, and throttles. I personally like to rest my arm on my seat and/or against the padded panel in my Baja and push/pull. Cigarette has had the same hull or I should say the basic lines for years, but they've updated they're interiors and they're very sharp.

Everyone has their own opinion that's why I asked. Like I said I have a formula and I prefer my left throttles all day long. They will build either way in that aspect. Funny but if you look at cig dash panels the basic layout/design is very similar from about a flat deck until now. They start very flat and angle up. The newer twin step guns have some gauge pod molds but the basic dash is the same. So basically you'd want it to be more like a cig?

I bring up cigarette because that's the other classic go fast in my eyes. No I do not want them to be more like a cig. For me to get serious about buying a fountain the cockpit would have to match the sleek lines of the hull.

Maybe the very basic lines of a cig dash is the same but they have been modernized a lot, and it matches the rest of the boats lines.

So your Intl suggestion is update it. I'm curious what people would do.

I don't see that cig has changed much but it would be interesting to know what changes people would want.

Is it just the dash or do you not like the shape of the 07 seats?

As for throttles,,,,,, I grew up having right hand. Now I don't want anything but left, weird but true.

Loved the seats and the way the rear seat head rests were molded into the hatches. Seats on that new 38, not so much. Again, this is just the opinion of one guy, one guy that inevitably will be looking for something in the 30-40' range. A 35 lightning has always been on my mind because it is on of the few that size with a staggered setup.

[QUOTE=Wildman_grafix;4513005]I don't see that cig has changed much but it would be interesting to know what changes people would want. /QUOTE]

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...BC2D923B98.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...0C397CC6F3.jpg

Big difference if you ask me, same basic lines yes but much more modern

Ok pull up an 89 fountain dash and 2007. Post side by side. I bet the difference is about the same as the basic dash is the same. I can't post pics or I would.

Id like to know how many Fountain sports boats were built in the last 7-8 years. Compared to a few other brands (ok, use Cigarette as an example) there were so few built its not surprising there is a hole in the used market. The number of used boats on the market is simply dictated by the number they built....... Not very many.

Fountain design has always been individual, lower freeboard, beak and sits stern heavy at rest. Sales didn't slow down because of their design, sales slowed because of the trouble at the factory, Reggie's departure and of course the economy. Trying now to bring back the classic Fountain design is very hard because we've become used to seeing all the other boats on the market and it makes the Fountain seem outdated. It's not outdated, it's just individual.

Take a look at Cigarettes, greats boat but have they really changed much over the last 10 years? Most of what I can see is upholstery and paint. I think we're all liking the cosmetic aspect so much, nobody has noticed that the boats haven't really changed.

Fountain could and should try something with upholstery and paint. Their efforts on the 38' we've seen pictured have come under fire so try something different. I've looked at the pics of that boat a few times and I'm getting used to the paint. If I was a buyer with 400k in my pocket I'd ask the factory to look at a re-trim with some quality marine vinyl in lighter colors to match the exterior.

The lack of Fountains in the last few years is a stumbling point in the new market but I think they can overcome that with new paint work and fresh trimming which is about what some of their opposition have done.

My 2 cents worth. :)

RR

Fountain dash hasn't changed but a splash of color and some shiny bezels makes a worl of difference.

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As for cabin interiors, I think the '08 cabin still looks great.
(I know these are professional brochure shots and make things look even better)

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Sorry, I'm just a Fountain fan.....

RR

I am too but show an 07 lightning dash. None of those are that. Lol

This is a '98 lightning (the cig shots were a '93 and '07 respectively)
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...1EA80C1E04.jpg

'08 lightning
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...AFE6596796.jpg
If anything the flat dash panel has just gotten bigger

Yes, the fountain cabin is hands down one of my favorites

Yes it's larger. Shaped different. Better styling. The same as the cig. They have some molded gauge pods otherwise it's the same as the older one. The fountain also added the gps/smartcraft screen. I've always been a fan of the way fountain does the indicators integrated as opposed to a bolt on piece. I guess that's why it's to each his own


Still no one has said what they would do to update the fountain interior. Lol

[QUOTE=IGetWet;4513016]Excellent point. And Fountain needs to do the same thing - no need to change the hull - AT ALL. No need to change the driver and passenger bulkheads. Or the cabin trim because they nailed it back in '08 with the new tan/wood grain. That said Fountain needs to blend modern appointments with their classic parts.

I love it that new Fountains are being built. But if the price tags are going to be where their at then the product needs to reflect it. I have not seen the new 38 Lightning Big Thunder has so I cannot comment on the fit and finish. If it is like my '08 or my B-I-L '10 Lightnings it needs some polishing. The paint is love it or loathe it - reminds me of stuff Sunsation did 6-8 years ago. The cockpit interior looks disastrous. To be fair that was not done at Fountain - a local shop to LOTO known for high end work did it - and botched it IMO. It has cues from a sit down boat that don't work here. Total rework needed.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the sale of this 38. I would have thought the first new Fountains out of the gate would have been over the top. Over the top paint, interior, etc to make a statement. Make them gotta-have-it boats. Because frankly another $75k to make this one over the top would easily be justified. I don't think this one is anything special. And it's quickly becoming a demo boat at a new boat price. No offense to anyone, especially Eddie.

Uh that's what I've been trying to get across here. I would make the dash layout more modern and sleek. I can't draw you exactly what I think should be done because I don't design boats. Maybe more like a donzi ZR dash, heck even a fastech layout is sleeker. Don't take this thread personally because you own a fountain. If anything it shows that fountain has a following and that there are fans that would like some improvements made to keep them towards the top.

I don't take it personally at all. I keep seeing a few claim they need to update the interior and trying to see what they would do to update it. You think a fastech dash is updated? They are the most plain and hideous dash of all the ones you mentioned. Lol.

I have an 07 38 Lightning with the new style cockpit and old style cabin. Couldn't find a new cabin, new cockpit boat in the condition I required at the time we were looking. First, I have not heard or seen posted too many gripes about the design, finish or feel of the new style cabin. To me it feels current, and has the style of a boutique boat like MTI, Statement or Outerlimits. The vinyl, metal and wood (faux or whatever it is) design combination and colors are a home run. Now take the new style cockpit and incorporate the same exact color and surface components as the new style cabin. Sprinkle the metal, the faux wood and change to cream colored seats with inserts that accent the boat paint. Also, the white gel in the cockpit and under the hatch needs to be kept to a minimum. Use the paintwork from the hull and bring it inside the cockpit to accent the interior. Same with the under the hatches, the engine bay and the stern. Sunsation does a great job with this. The Fountain dash seems to work well but again some updates like Cigarette molding in a few things would add to a more high end feel versus a flat panel at a tilt with a bunch of stuff bolted to it. We enjoy our Fountain, favorite boat we have owned up to this point. Times have changed and to get buyers to drop 1/2 a million, by the time its all said and done, the boat better look and feel the part.

I'm no computer genius so I can't design anything with Photoshop and other programs but I can put a few ideas together and post the photos.....

See second post for pics......

RR

Before shot, old style Fountain

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Tweak things up a little, very small Garmin and a bit of bling, I think it's a big improvement

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I agree with Rob. The updated cabin which for the record should have been used in the new 38 is excellent. I could see maybe molding some gauge pods on the dash. I have a similar discussion on Facebook and someone mentioned steps to the sliding cabin door. If you do that you could delete the walkaround and make the cockpit a little wider like the old 38 fevers. Interesting idea but I do like the look of the lightning with the walk around also so it's a tough one

^^^^ The walk around is the one key component my wife really does use and makes our boat more user friendly for us at the launch/docks. The cabin door with the steps would be so nice to have versus going around the bolsters and exiting from the rear seats to get to the bow. BUT the walk around helps to make that move as painless as possible. Good problem to have.
This is a good discussion to have, no bashing but constructive critiques from owners and observers. I don't know a Fountain owner that wishes anything but success to the factory.

Agreed. I always liked how the lightning vents and even my lightning(executioner in newer years) had the forward facing vents. That's only possible because of the walkaround. It's a minimal styling cue and obviously the fevers don't have it but I always liked it. Another option would be to incorporate or mold somehow some steps in the corner by passenger bolster. Nortech has something similar.

The glass windshield lightning top cap is almost perfect and I really like the vents on those. Love the split hatches and how the headrests are molded into them.

Line 2=My vote for post of the year. Lmfao!

Just do what Cigarette does. Add some additional logos and call it a remodel.

Its good to know that someone still has a sense of humor on OSO and doesn't need a safe space to go to, or a kitten to pet.

Even something like the ZR uses.

Definitely keep the split hatches. That makes engine work sooo much easier.

How about an exclusive steering wheel. Some indication of exclusiveness. I see them all with a wheel you can buy off oso here. Nothing special.. I put a sea ray wheel in my boat . It's custom in every way. No one has one like it. I did some bondo work to remove the sea ray s etc..

It could be just 2 stairs.. or any surface that will support 200 pounds imo

I think a cool factory offering would be some type of kit to update the cabin entrance on older boats. Make it easier for TRL to haul the skanks to and fro. Without bumping your head. And stuff.

I'm down w that.....

Can you expand on this statement a bit? What sorts of creative financing used to exist? I wasn't interested in performance boats seriously before 2010, and now I'm seeing zero availability of new boats aside from the ultra-custom ones. How did people afford these before?

I love the gold chains and the vicodins are a nice bonus.

Dodd-Frank screwed everything up. President Trump is working on getting rid of. It ties bank's hands.

^^^^ This. In the Boom there was little to no money down, balloon payments at the end, some loans had thru the roof % rates but approved anyone with a pulse, proof of income was laughable at best, loans sometimes included costly add-ons and upgrades way past the value of the boat. Pretty much what happened with the housing market but with boats. Also, home equity loans were as easy as making a phone call, now not so much.

See my post below "thirdchildhood". As far as only ultra-custom boats being available, that is not true. Bajas are being built now, a few Fountains have been built, Powerquest is starting to run again, Sonic, Hustler, Active Thunder, and many more all making boats. You can get a Donzi, just order it. There are good used boats out there also, so no reason to be on the sidelines.