Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

Almost forgot! Add to list 2001 Scarab AVS 575SCi's.

All are within my budget.

Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

Just bought an 2002 382....LOVE IT. We overnight quite a bit and Formula does a great job with fit/ finish. Fountains 42 probably the worst riding of the 3 (although "worst" is relative considering we're talking a 35+ ft boats). Never been in the 36 Baja but they seem to do well for what they cost. Since you own a 33 Baja you can determine if the quality/ build are acceptable (I would own one if the deal was right and considered the 38 Special). Fountains have low decks and narrow cabins. A buddy had a 38 Fountain and my Formula 312 (fastech) seemed to have more cabin space.
The 37 Active Thunder is the only boat I like better than the Formula....If you can find one, jump on it.

Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

If your ready to knock the swin platform on the length of the Fountain, why not the formula too, isn't their swim platform molded on and counted in the overall measurement?

Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

Buy a Cigarette! :drink: :drink:

Ok, ok,

All nice boats. I'd have to say the 42 Fountain is my favorite of the Fountain line and will be the fastest no question about it. Out of all the Fountains the 42 will be the best handling too.

I've ridden in and driven a 38 Fasttech many times. Boat suprised me. Handled big water well and will have the nicest cabin bar none.

The Baja is a great boat. Great lines, handles big water well and is built well for the price tag. You own one, you know.

Now you bring in Scarab? I've spent a lot of time driving and riding in a 38 Scarab too. LOVE IT! I think the 38 Scarab is one of the most underappreciated boats on the market. It handles big water remarkably and is built very well. I think the market took a dump on them because Wellcraft stopped building them. Though you can still get a new Larry Smith Scarab and Eliminator is going to build a 43' using the Larry Smith molds.

Hey, good luck on whatever you get. What year is your 33 Baja?

Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

Will the Scarab be faster than the Fountain with the 575's ?

My vote would be Scarab or Formula.....leaning towards the Scarab because you see Formulas, Fountains, Bajas everywhere.

Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

Where are you going to use it?
Do you want to sleep or entertain on it?
Poker Runs?
Wave size handling?
Speed your looking for?
Trailering?
How long are you going to own it?

Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

The Baja 33 Outlaw is 2004, 496 HO's, 150 hrs., 74 GPS, freshwater only, absolutely immaculate, Polk/MOMO stereo option from Baja, and..... FOR SALE!

Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

Formula does measure the platform like the Fountain....they just don't have the beak! :eek: :D
I'm willing to bet all 3 original boats listed have running surface lengths within a foot of each other.

Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

Both Gulf of Mexico and Lake Travis. We never sleep on the boat, don't need A/C or gen. Yes Poker Runs. Needs to be a good wave handler. Will trailer it. Prob. keep it 3-4 years.

Re: 42 Fountain vs. 382 Formula vs. 36 Baja
 

THESE BOATS ARE SOMEWHAT APPLES, GRAPES, AND ORANGES IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY APPEAL TO, BUT STRAIGHT PERFORMANCE, THE REAL SPEEDS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM ARE MID 80'S, MAYBE 80, AND 70 FOR THE BAJA. THEY RESPOND TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM MY EXPERIENCES IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATER. THE SCARAB SHOULD BE AROUND 80 WITH THE AVS AS WELL. THESE ARE REAL GPS NUMBERS AS SEEN IN LAKE RUNS FROM MY EXPERIENCE. AS SOMEONE ELSE SAID, I THINK YOU SHOULD OPEN UP THE OPTIONS TO INCLUDE SEVERAL OTHERS THAT I THINK ARE GREAT BOATS IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE THIS DIVERSE WITH THE FIRST 4 OPTIONS. I LOVED MY DONZI 38ZX AND I THINK IT WAS MORE BOAT THAN ANY OF THE 4 HERE, BUT IT DEPENDS ON IF YOU WANT PURE SPEED, NO CABIN, BETTER RESELL, MORE BEAM, CABIN SPACE, AMENITIES, ETC. LOTS OF GREAT BUYS OUT THERE, NARROW IT DOWN TO THE AMENITIES AND QUALITIES YOU WANT FROM THE BOAT AND THEN ATTACK THE BRAND AND MODEL. GOOD LUCK. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH FRIENDS WITH EACH OF THESE BOATS AND PRETTY WELL KNOW PROS AND CONS OF EACH HAVING RAN SIDE BY SIDE WITH THEM OVER THE YEARS. PM ME IF INT. IN ANY OF THE INFO. HAMMER