24 Comp Series questions
 

I tagged along with a good friend of mine yesterday who is looking at a 24 CS to purchase.

Two questions that the current owner couldn't answer:

1) How does the bow water ballast system work? Is this a skiing option? How would it help stability when running in rough conditions (like a race boat water ballast setup)?

2) How big is the fuel tank? With a 502 mpi and "crusing" speeds, what's the range? Or hours of usage?

Thanks,
Brian

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

the ballest tank is a ski opion . doint know a bout rough water 17 deg bottom i jest found my old fountain book 74 gal fuel tank, with the 502 77 75 with black hawk drive 80 + robbie :drink:

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

Thanks guys,

My buddy is looking at this boat for use as an inland lake boat, with water skiing, etc in mind. There is a switch near the open/close dump handle called "fill", so I think someone has added a water pump so it can be filled while underway.

Looks like a fun boat. Yeah, with a 17 degree hull, he's not going to keep up with me in the rough stuff on Lake Erie. But with a Fountain pedigree, he shouldn't have to worry about hurting the boat out there... just his fillings. :D

Thanks for the info, guys.
Brian

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

Hey Guys,

I came close to buying a 24 a year after it came out.. The Fountain pedigree is what caught my interest at the time. After testing the boat with a 502MPI, It got out of control real quick on the bay in Long Island.. I was told it was taken off the market because of the way it handled. I bought a Baja 24 Outlaw same power and over the 7 years that I owned the boat upgraded the power to an MRD 800sc.. The boat ran 90 a lot safer then the Fountain ran in the 70's. I would recommend your friend pass on the pocket Fountain...
For the record I recently traded my Outlaw in for a 29 Fever with the 525hp..
Love the boat, Love the quality of construction, rigging etc. Love the whole Fountain experience..... But I am very happy I didn't go for the Fountain 24 at the time...

Good luck...

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

I was a proud owner of 24 CS for 4 years. I used the boat on an inland lake in TN. I wish I never sold it. It was the best lake boat I ever drove. In fact you can see my old boat on the Pier 57 website, it has been sold. It was a 1994 502 EFI, Bravo One and when I traded it I had 217 hours. It was a 79 mph boat...on GPS with a labbed 3 blade Mirage. I took it on Lake Ontario and it was real rough. The ballast tank works great for rough conditions... I filled on Lake Ontario and it was a different boat, but still a small boat. You will love it. The boat was bulletproof and I ran it everyday for 3.5 years without a problem. When I traded it ( On an 03 29 w/525efi) one cylinder was down on compression and it was rebuilt and it needed a new gimbal. The boat is a blast. I would make sure you get a 502 in it and add trim tabs. The 454 is only a 66 mph boat. If I find another one in great shape I would put a 750-800hp in it and REALLY run it. The entire package is wonderful. Be prepared to be the quickest boat on the lake, and get plenty of looks. They only made 93 or so over the course of 4 years and they are hard to find. I loved it !!!! You should be able to pick one up under 32-35k. Let me know if you find a beauty that you dont buy. I wont pass it up. It is not a Great Lakes or Bay boat. Of course it would be a tough ride in those conditions...anyone knows that... and as far as Bajas are concerned , you will pass them, and as far as running 90 as in the above post, I have NEVER even heard of a 24 Baja that was stable at 80... nevermind 90. The 24 is much more stable at 79 than a Baja. I also owned a 25 Outlaw and I was very unimpressed.

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

PS. On mine the ballast pump was standard and I was able to fill up while in the lake and dump while underway.

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

PPS. The tank is indeed in the 74 gallon range with about 66 useable. I never filled mine (weight) always put in no more than 30 gals.

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

Hey Masher,

How do you like your 29 ??????

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

Love the 29. Had my fuel pump crap out a few weeks ago but other then that she is bulletproof. Great boat. I highly recommend it an anything less than 4 footers.

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

I own a 97 24CS [ordered new from factory] with a 502 MPI. Ballast tank with pump came standard. Boat cruises at 45mph at 3000rpm. I boat on lake water only. Not a bay boat nor rough water boat.

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

ther is a guy on our lake once and a while that . has 454 super charge and he runs the sZ%%%% out of it sure is fast .

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

Thanks for everyone's input. My buddy's going for it! Survey is today.

I hope to get a ride on it this weekend, and I'll post pics soon after. I've also convinced him to join OSO, so we'll be welcoming a new member to the Fountain Owners board shortly.

Cheers,
Brian

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

It's here! My friend picked it up after the survey checked out ok. I took a ride in it last weekend, and it's quite a ride. Took it out to Detroit Light on Lake Erie, then up the river to Winsor and downtown Detroit. We were "putting" at 70 without really getting on it. Still some learning to do on the drive and tab settings.

It's not a 10-Meter, but he should have a lot of fun with it.

Check it out...

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

502 MPI, and bucket seats...

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

it's beautiful love the graphs

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

Nice boat! Congratulations!

Dan

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

sweet ride !!! Makes me miss mine :(

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

Beautiful Boat... She looks as clean as can be..

Good Luck and enjoy it !!!!!

Re: 24 Comp Series questions
 

That is a very nice boat, I am interested in the 24'. Would it be possible to get some pics of the boat from the back showing the bottom. I thought I remember reading that the boat is heavy for its size and it is actually closer to 25' than 24' (24' 9") and with the pedigree it should not be a problem if you happened upon rough water. I remember reading a test in Hot Boat some years ago of the boat w/ the 502" and Stellings headers and they hit some rough water and said that the boat was fine (does anyone know what issue that was as I would like to order it). Good luck and post some more pics if possible, thanks: Matt