New Advice on new boat
 

Hello fellow boaters,
I need some help in deciding on a boat and a recommendation on a boat manufacturer. I was a boater in my youth days (13 to 21yrs old). Now I am 40. I have been out of the boating world for almost twenty years. I have lost touch with the quality boat mfg's and the (stay away from ) boat mfg's. The Chicago boat show was here over the weekend. I viewed many boats but I need advice on selecting the best boat. I prefer a gofast boat (Donzi 38ZR or Fountain 38 LIghtning) but my wife is looking for a boat that we can entertain on (Formula 33 Sun Sport or 37 Super Sport). We saw Fountains 38 Express Cruiser. Does anyone know of a boat similar to the Fountain Express Cruiser that we should look at. I prefer speed and my wife wants comfort convinence.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you:rolleyes:

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Cant beat formula for resale and quality.
You might look at Sunseeker also for something thats a cross between speed and a cruiser.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

get a new wife:evilb: :evilb: :evilb:


I personally like Sea Ray:cool:

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

I personally like a 44 magnum for the best of both worlds...
i don't know why no one on these boards talks about them much, especially since it was one of Dons companies.
Could it be cuz a 44mag cost 4-5-6x as much as the other boats mentioned here? :D

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Thank you for the recommendation. Very nice boat and very expensive. Any other ideas? :(

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Does anyone have an opinion on the Fountain 38 Express Cruiser? Is this boat a gas hog? Can you even trailer the boat? Does anyone have a Formula 33SS or 37SS they can share their experience?

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

My folks had a 370ss that I used from time to time. It was an excellent boat all the way around. The boat would run 55mph consistently with 496's.

One of their best friends is on his 3rd 33 and keeps ordering a new one every year. Formula builds some of the best express cruisers for quality, style, and performance all in one.

The Fountain SC's are really cool as well. I've been on/partied on a few of them. All of them will burn up the gas.:D

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Formula's are nice.
I kinda like the new Chris Crafts.
A 33 w/ 496s would move pretty good.
http://chriscraft.com/images/gallery...sair33_L04.jpg


The 36 is nice too... talk about passenger capacity!:eek:
http://chriscraft.com/images/gallery...sair36_L02.jpg

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Did you look at the 343 Cobalt? I understand it runs nice with twin 525s. It is an interesting combination of decent speed and some cabin.

I like the Formulas the best... happy wife=happy life!

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Where do you boat? How fast do you want to go? How big of a boat do you want? This might get a few more ideas to fit your needs.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Storm-Those CCs are pigs.:(

I alwys loved the look of the 33 formula

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

ok... may not be fast, and i'm sure they are not touted as so.
But how good of a rough riding boat are they?
The hull looks like it should be nice and dry.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Go-fast with a cabin.....Black Thunder!!! over 6 ft headroom and it can be trailered, if you have a big enough truck!

I have a Formula 382 and love it! We overnight as many as 5 nights in a row and do a number of weekends with 3 yound kids. (Yes, it's tight with 5!)

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

fountain 38 ex will be my boat after the gofast thing runs its course

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

I rode in amuch smaller one (27?) it had a soft ride but was no rough water boat for its size.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

I had a Gas Nortech 4300, loved it and I felt it was an excellent cross between a cruiser and a go fast. You always think there are other alternatives, but too many compromises. I had looked at getting something better for overnighting and checked out the Fountain 38 at Miami show. I was disappointed in some of their quality issue's, but when I looked at their 48 there was a big improvement. I liked the Formula 370 and 400SS much better vs the 38 Fountain. After spending much time in both 38 Fountain and 370SS Formula, there was not really any more room. The 400ss was perfect for ammenities, but lacked in the speed dept. The 48 Fountain was the best of both worlds, but I couldnt tow it, and it actually was a little to bid and wide for my taste. My relationship with Nortech was great so I ended up with another 4300, but diesel this time. I made it more luxiourious with every immenenty available. The cabin has well over 6' headroom upon entry and 5'6" at the V-birth. Also Over 6' in the head, also has micro, sink, fridge, and 9 bag Ice box. All the conviences of home with a generator for overnighting on the beaches. The quality and sexiness of the design work great, not too big for trailering all at a reasonable price. Good luck in your decision, check all the boats out thouroughly, send me a pm if you have any Q's. Thanks and good luck.:cool: Jeff Jassby

The blue pics are the 07 diesel, the purple pics are the 04 gas.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Another to consider might be 43 or 46 Black Thunder.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Wellcraft 38 Excalibur?

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Go look at a Black Thunder. I had a 311 Formula. As soon as my wife saw a BT @ the Miami show it was a short list of only one brand. You might also want to consider a Sonic.These two boats are similar but have many differences.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

have you looked at a 37 Active Thunder? Very large cabin and cockpit build it the way you want it. They are also building a new 43 that will be huge ck'em out

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

I boat in Chicago -- Lake MIchigan; prefer something around 36 feet. I would like a crusing speed of 50+, not top end. Need to have sleeping capacity for 4. I looked at the Cobalt 343 -- very nice boat but the cabin is a cuddy cabin.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Black Thunder!!! I will look into it. I heard CObalt is coming out with a Cobalt 36. But the boat will not be out until April/May. The Cobalt 36 is replacing the Cobalt 360 that was discontinued in 2005.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

Thank you for the info. The problem I am finding is luxury + speed. The Thunder is too large. There really is not much room on the main deck to entertain. It is a great hi-perf boat. I spoke to a dealer who has a new Fountain 38 EC with t-496 and a lot of options. Asking price is $299K. Is this too much?

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

I looked at the 343. Absolutely a beautiful boat but it lacks sleeping capacity.

Re: New Advice on new boat
 

would you consider used??? Sorry, i just love these boats.
It will top out at 50, but will cruise at 45 since its diesel.

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