32' Fountain Fever
 

One of my clients is looking to move into a 98 32'Fever with twin 502's. Origonally he wanted a mid 90's 35'Cafe. Let me here the pro's and Con's ofeachfrom the owners. Thanks for the feedback.
Matthew DeLisio
Coastal Marine

The 32 will be alot quicker.
Other than that, I can't think of anything else.
:D

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: BACK 4 MORE ]

My friends have both boats, one has a 99 32 fountian with the 502 mags and bravo's. and another has a 87 cafe racer 35 cigarette, 540's ssm3a's Hands, down cigarette, the cockpit has room where as the fountian is really cramped in comparison to the fountian, The cabin same story, the rough water driveability is no comparison at all, hands down cigarette all the way, as far as what gets more looks, cigarette again as fountians are really overpopulated in this area, And both boats run about the same speeds, unless there are waves, then the cigarette keeps the speed and the fountian has to slow down to keep from major launches off the waves thet the cigarette blasts thru. They are both great boats, but having spent alot of time on both, I'd take the cig hands down, but an older cig will probably cost ALOT more than a newer fountian.

Rob,
Thats what we are running into. I have found a few quality 35' Cig's but they all run between 85-105K. These are mid 1990'boats. I have driven both Cigarette and Fountain in the rough and have come to my own conclusions. As a sales person for both boats I try to give all the information on both boats and let the customer decide. Ill point him to OSO before buying and have him read the repleys. This way he has a first hand account of what he is getting into. Thanks again for all of the input.

Matthew W. DeLisio
Coastal Marine

I like my 32' Fountain with 502's, happy with the boat.

Your client probably needs to assess their boating style.

The Fountain has smaller cabin, but will be faster with same power. Stepped hull also.

If you'r always in big water and spending lots of nights on the boat, I'd go with the Cigarette. Your speed will be a concern. If it is no big deal, fine, but if it is, you'll have to balance the reliability vs. speed vs. cost issues. You can go as fast as you want in the Cigarette, as long as your budget allows, and you don't mind being towed in :D :D

If you are on flatter water, never overnight and want reliable speed, I'd buy the Fountain.

In my experience, we spend a lot of nights on ours, but compared to a 27 Baja, we have more room than we did, so we're okay..for now. But, if the water gets much above 3-4', we'd rather stay at the docks (ie, 5-6 footers on Lake MI, and long trips in a group of boats get put off usually). I might run around for a while and play, but it takes 30 minutes to go anywhere on Lake MI, so it's just not fun for my wife and for others in our boating group. I could have a 41' Apache and still stay at the docks. Problem with big water is, not matter how great your boat handles it moving, none of them do worth a crap when you stop and anchor :D Just stating this because sometimes you don't need a 42' rough water wave smasher if you either don't get into that type of water, or wouldn't utilize what you have.

Resale will be good with both, with he edge to the Cigarette probably, but it depends on so many things. That's when big power can hurt you. I'd rather buy a stock 502 boat than one with built motors, unless you know who did the work.

It's a great decision to have to make, though. Both are great boats. Good luck to your client.

Mark

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: 32fever ]

What a great idea for a boat salesman. Instant references and advice for buyers. :cool:

Yeah, I'm sorry Mark, I didn't mention the speeds were similar between the fountian's stock, reliable 415hp 502mag EFI's vs. occasionally popping lifters, bending pushrods, blowing transmissions, ect... 600hp 540's in the Cig. The exact reason my 502 mags are still stock.

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: advantage_ROB ]

Oh, and if your client does read this, and they want to email me with specifics on the 32 Fountain, feel free to do so. It might be a day or so for me to reply as that is my home email, but I will answer what I can.

PS...I just saw a 98 I think Fountain with 502 whippled and they say 96 gps. Man oh man does that get me thinking.

What was that you said about reliablity Rob? LOL! I like mine cause they are so reliable, but 96......hmmmmmmm.......

Niuhi, This site actually does serve as a great tool for the trade. I have been able to supply clients with first hand accouts of how a boat will perform in many conditions. I can call the factory and get a sales pitch myself or post a question and get real answers. I have learned not to do the "Which is a better boat" mistake. It makes the forum less of a tool and more of a mud throwing contest. We are lucky we have a place like this to go to for advice and feedback. Jeff has done many in the industry a service with this page. It also helps us keep up on Nickslick endless search for a sence of humor and Audeofn's Relationship extravaganza. Thank you again to all who gave feedback.
Matthew W.DeLisio
Coastal Marine

I know, I know, I've got that bug too, but that's a whole new story...

These boats are two different animals ... one is a low freeboard 30' boat with a pad bottom ... one is a true 35' conventional bottom offshore boat.

If your buyer thinks they are different by only looks, he's confused.

:cool:

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: Cigarette 1 **** Original Member ]

Don't have any facts, but 32 is discontinued, I think it might be more than the model being stuck between a 29 and 35 :confused:

Cig#1,
My client knows his boats and has done his homework. now it is a matter of how to spend over 70K on a boat. Do you buy a 32' as a first twin Go-Fast and wait a year to get the 35' or do you wait without a boat untill you can afford a 35'. I think with the right conditions he can get the 32' for a great deal and re-sell it next year to move into a 35'. A mid 1990's 70MPH+ Cafe will be the final result. But we have a 25K gap to fill in the meantime. The asking on the 32' is still in the 90's but we are looking to make a deal. Start with the 32' and move up. Too big too fast has broken alot of checkbooks and bumped many people out of the boating world. This guy has a good head on his shoulders. Baby steps to a 46 Rough Rider!!!

Matt,

It sounded like it was an either/or ... but it sounds like he has a plan ...

If he can be sure to get the 32' at a price that he can recover in a year, then it doesn't sound like a bad move ... or else, it may delay the the NEXT move (not good).

Who knows .. maybe in a year, you can sell him mine ;)

Have had a 98 32 Fever for 2 seasons. Excellent boat. There's something to be said for a nearly 80mph boat that is ready to go when you are. It's a trade off as far as the ride in rough water goes...I prefer the extra speed when it's not rough. I'm ready for a 38 Fountain. Anyone want a 32 Fountain and a Dodge Viper (2000 w/3100miles) in trade for a 38 Fountain?

Thanks for all the advice and thank you Matt for the hard work & effort.
Anyone have a good Cafe in our budget ?
If not i might have to settle for the 32'Cafe

A Bullet wouldn't be so bad either :cool:

There's a 1990 33 Fountain in the for sale section with 454 mags for 50K. If he just wants something to pass the time until he gets the Cig, this might be a cheaper way to go.

The 1990 33 is actually the 35 now isn't it? I have been beating this same subject over the head.

I have been considering a 32 and (33) 35 Fountains and a 31 and 35 Cigs. The 35 Fountain has a lot more room than the 32.

Some quality test ride time I think is in order to make that decision.

I noticed in this month's Powerboat the 32 Fever is not included in the Fountain two page ad of all models. Discontinued? Does Reggie want one to step from a 29 Fever single to a 35 Lightning?

Cigarette 1, I was just going to mention that. The Bullet would be a great choice. A true 31 ft.

I was looking at the same two boats except for the years. The cabin in the 32 Fountain was the biggest turnoff for me. Unless you are shorter than Reggie, it's tight. I went with the 35 Cafe Racer. I found an 87 within my budget. I'll never have the fastest V around with boats like "Rock-it" in the neighborhood, so I'm not gonna try, but it'll sure eat up the big water at around 70+ dependable (fingers crossed) mph. And when I get there, almost 8 foot of V-berth to sleep in and generous head room.

Can't forget about the enclosed head that the ladies really like. :D

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: NW_Jim ]

Vonbongo - yes the early 33 (10 meter) is a 35, Reggie just started including the swim step. There is one here in cinci 90 or 91, original owner, 365 mags, outstanding shape for year/ triple axle/ $50K will probably take it.

Bryan, I hear the 32 is no more ;)

I owned an 89 33'Fountain for several years and liked the speed for the size of the boat but in rough water it really beat me up.It was very well made though.
It was a fun boat to go out with the guys and tear it up but for just cruising around it wasn`t very efficient.
My next boat will be a nice clean Top Gun

Looking at three boats two are fountains a 32 Fever and a 33 Lightning (whats the differance becides the deck)also a 35 SS Sonic which is a better boat and why. speed isn't my main concern any more 70 to 80 is ok
but I like to get home when it gets rough. I dont mind runing 3 to 5 footers in my Sunsation Agressor but passengers do.