When I was boat shopping last time, I specifically stayed away from Fountains. Not because they don't perform well, or that they aren't nice boats.....I just wanted something different. I also personally think the lines on the Sunsations are better than most of the Fountains (my exception is the 42 PR.....so hawt). Can't deny that those Reggie Rafts are fast though....but the Sunnys aren't slouches either.

I've owned a 33 fountain and a 2007 Sunny. Both great boats! I keep my boats in meticulous condition with an open cheque book. I appreciate everyone's non bias opinions. I'm in a decision of purchasing either or. Keep the opinions coming. I'm buying one or the other in 3 weeks.

Being a Fountain owner this comment may seem skewed. But if my retirement fund was to be based on the future value of either of these fiberglass toys ..................... My money would be in the Fountain.

Not that either would be a smart place for ones money. Boats are toys, and as such should be a place where one parks discretionary funds that one neither needs, nor ever expects to get back. Aka..... Funds that one feels one can just pizz away. Feel free to share if you disagree.

Some good points but when you are talking the staggarded 35's those are a bit different then the other 35's they made.

They have been holding their value if not going up. I see them now with 200 hours for sell at the same price you could buy them new when everything was crashing in 08/09.

And I don't believe they made a bunch of them. As for build quality, years ago there was a 32 sunny and a 33 fountain at a show. We went back and forth between the two. At that time I would say the build quality was the same. I did like how half the seat lifted on the sunny but if you are talking stag 35 the split hatches and stag motor wins.

Full staggered 35 Lightnings are NOT a dime a dozen and there were def more 32 Sunny's made than the aforementioned Fountain. A 2007/08/09 35 Lightning will always bring more $$ than a comparable 2007/08/09 32 SS or SSR. And the cabin appointments aren't even close between the two. Not busting on the Sunny - it's just a different boat. More comparable to the 33 Lightning which is very rare with less than 25 total made.

Thank you.

$15k+ for full top end rebuild or valvetrain at the minimum.

Please call me when you are ready for service!

If I'm off base for a pair let me know. I'm just going off memory for what it costs to correctly do the 300hr service.

Blue motors are awesome. But rebuilds and popping drives have me gun shy. I like my black motors and AADS drive simplicity.

I think the number is high. Top ends aren't that extensive. In reality it's mostly springs but even on the high side if you upgraded valves and lifters you're only about $2500 in parts or so. Maybe a few in hundred in machine work to clean up heads if you're all in. Then labor if you don't do your own work.

I will catch some flack for this but if merc didn't use crap springs and mediocre valves I don't think you'd have to even do top ends until 500hrs. I have a friend with blown 454s with 800 hours on stock 454/420 bottom ends. If you read those site very very few bottom ends wear out. Most are rebuilt due to catostrophic failure. Dropping a valve, water ingestion or improper tune/detonation.

Headers are a whole different story. Later models I heard were much better. Stay diligent in pressure checking them. Put drains so water doesn't sit when the motors are off. Or switch to stainless marine manifolds. Lol