Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

I have a deposit on a 1997 35 Lighting. It has some nice options and is set up with carb 500Hp's, full hydro steering etc.. There are about 300 hours on it.

My current boat is a 2000 29 Baja Outlaw. There are obvious upsides to the switch but one thing I will say about the Baja is that it rides better in rough water than most boats in its size class. I am going to sea trail this Friday but of course will not have a chance to expirience various sea conditions. Will my Fountain ride better than the Baja due to size and waight or will the Freeboard difference make the Baja seem more stable? Both have full hydro steering.

Any comments or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Regards to all. Dan

Re: Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

Im not a expert but I think that with 300hrs it might be time for springs/lifters. Thats a great boat.

Re: Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

Fountatin is a much better boat than the Baja. Even when you subtract the beak and platform it a bigger boat than the 29 and better investment if you buy right.

Re: Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

I would highly recommend the fountain. The 35 is one of my favorite boats out there.

Re: Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

The day a 29 Baja rides as well as a 35 Lightning Reggie Fountain will eat his toupe. My first two boats were Baja's - I enjoyed them very much for what they are - entry level boats that get you on the water at an affordable price.

But seriously, asking a Fountain owner if a 35 Fountain Lightning will ride as good as a 29 Baja is on par with asking an Italian if his Ferrari GTO will handle a race coure as well as your Chevy Camero.

Re: Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

My dad upgraded from a 29 Outlaw to a 35 Fountain a couple of years ago. As much as I love Baja's the Fountain is a much more solid boat and rides much better. You have to run it a little different that the Baja due to the differences in hull design. Most of the rough water we see is on Lake Ponchartrain (big shallow lake) and the Fountain rides smoother the faster you go.

Re: Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

Dan,

What are they asking for the 35 footer?

Re: Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

[QUOTE=Fountaineer]Dan,

What are they asking for the 35 footer?[They are asking 80K with no trailer and giving me decent money for my boat]

Re: Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

Just a heads up, if the motors have 300 hours and the springs have not been changed, it most likely has a few broken springs. Not a reason not to buy it but get them changed ASAP. Since the boat will be new to you I would go ahead and change the lifters and springs, then you should be good to go for 200-250 hours.

WILL :D

Re: Purchasing 35 Lighting
 

I just purchased a '99 35 Lightning (low 80's) with a Hoss trailer. I've been on 29 Outlaws & recently sold my 32 Sunsation Dominator - the Fountain has impressed me very solid smooth level ride - very well constructed - I love it