Thinking about getting a performance boat.
 

I used to be a frequent boated with a 20 foot craft. This was 18 years ago. Think about getting back into boating and have always wanted a performance boat. I am looking at older (early 90s) Fountains in the 32 to 38 foot range. Any insight you veterans can provide would be appreciated. Specific concerns / questions:

I have a 3500 Silverado with the Duramax diesel in it, will it tow a 35 or 38 Fountain safely and legally?

How big of a PITA is it to trailer a boat that big? I have towed many car trailers and many years ago I worked in the boat business and would tow two 20 foot Ranges from the factory to the dealership but that was a long time ago and this is a different game.

How difficult are these boats to launch from and load onto a trailer?

The lake I am going to use the boat on the most only sells what they call enhanced 89 octane fuel. Will a 93 with stock 525 HP SC motors run on this?

Any particular issues to watch for on these older Fountains?

The shorter the boat the newer I can afford, are there major changes in the mid 90s through early 2000s that are strong advantages that I should consider?

Any general tips, suggestions, pearls of wisdom from experience you can provide would be great.

Thank you.

i am sure you are experienced enough towing and launching a boat like you already know it takes practice with anything new . i have had a few diffrent boats over the years and have only gotten better at operating and trailering each one . it takes me no longer than a minute to put the boat on the trailer and less to take off ( yes i do get bored and time myself ) . i love fountain boats with a passion because of how they ride , handle and are made not to mention going faster with stock power than everyone else . i would be a little scared to run not great gas in 525's but 525's are proably the best go fast motor out there when it comes to turn key and drive . i have a 93 and it has been used alot but looks and works wonderful , don't forget b o a t break out another thousand cause its true but if thats your passion who cares . where i live i see people with all diffrent sizes of boats up to 38 feet launch at public launches with out issue , if i were you i would talk to people who have larger boats where you want to use yours and ask them questions like where they launch and what not . i have no idea where you want to use this boat but for me a 27 foot is a relatively large run about which works great for windy days or weather that sucks i would love to have something bigger but checkbook is just not there yet ! lastly make sure you have someone who knows boats check out the boat and trailer before you buy and if repairs need to be made put everything in writing before hand . most trailers work really well for the size of boat they trailer if they are maintained like the brakes , bearings and tires if a trailer is in good working your truck will work well i think .

FYI - only run 89 in 525's. Thats what they are designed for and run best that way

what lake and whats ur budget?

Bill that is the newer 525's.........Is it the same on the older carb'd 525 SC's?


Be careful on the older carb'd motors and ethanol laced fuel. The ethanol is causing the valves to unseat or something due to heat buildup from what I remember.....

Thats the newer 525's Jup. The sc's are supercharged so they need the octane boost. Sorry I didnt clarify

Will mainly run on Table Rock Lake in Missouri. We may also see some time on Lake of the Ozarks and a couple of the smaller lakes closer to home (KC area) for afternoon trips.

Budget, good question as I could spend a lot more than I want to. I am currently looking in the $50,000 - $70,000 range. I have found a real nice boat with 500 hours on 525 carbureted SC motors for $50,000. The boat is in excellent condition, no dock rash, kept in doors, sparkling clean engines and bilge, good interior. The color choice is not the best but if I am going to sacrifice something I would rather it be that than condition. I am going to look considerably more before buying and obviously I will lake test "the one" before any deal is made.

Thank you.

I don't know what a 38 Fountain weighs on the trailer but go here for your truck's towing specs;

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/t...er-thread.html

You'll need to leave more space between your rig and the vehicle ahead of you. Right turns will require wider arcs. Launching and retrieving will be different from what you're used to but you have a good strong truck for it. Getting the boat on the trailer will be easy with twin engines to counter wind and currents.

can get WAY more boat than that for 50-70k

fo sho

You can buy newer/much lower hours for that same 50K!

Go take a ride in a 496 HO powered 30-35 ft. boat and you will think that is a screamer! The 525 SC shouldn't be confused with the 525 EFI. The 32 Fountains have an issue with sinking at the dock (due to low profile taking wakes/waves over the transom) so if you plan on leaving it in the water that needs to be taken into account.

You could probably buy a 2003-2004 35 Fountain Executioner for 60-70K, they were only 125K new!

It seems these boats can vary greatly in price based on options, most of which I know and understand but some of which I don't; Latham steering, halon, cockpit/mooring covers, Gaffrig guages and controls, sea strainers, engine sync, shore power, silent choice, trailer, etc.

What do you think this 93 is worth, it is on a Myco trailer?

I won't be leaving it in the water regularly but good to know for the occasional overnight.

What are the differences between the Fever, Lightning and Executioner?

Thanks.

Be careful with options, some of that stuff listed as "options" on used boat value guides are standard. Not sure it has a whole lot of value on a 15-20 year old boat.

Fever/Lightning/Executioner were all trim levels. Some years the bottoms were identical but maybe a different deck, windshield. The Executioner series was brought back into production in 2003 and used for a 35 and 42ft model.

Some of the Fountain guys can chime in with the major differences. As far as value, I would think a 93 w/500+ hours is probably not a 50-70K boat, more like 1/2 that range in today's upside down market.

hell national just sold a MINT 2001 formula 38 fastec on a trailer 500efis 165 hours and stellings ext boxes for 70k!!!

I'm sure you realize that trailering and handling a boat in that size range is a much different prospect than the 20-footer you had 18 yrs. ago. :) The good news is, you should be able to find something nice in this current market...

I had about the same period of time pass before I picked up an older, single engine Formula 242 a couple of years ago -- I quickly realized my skills needed an upgrade, as the boat (actually 26') seemed much bigger than anything I had managed before (it was). Though I can get it launched by myself, it's really all I can handle and the process goes much better with some help.

The idea of a 33, 35 or 38 - ft. boat sounds wonderful, but I can't quite see myself owning one just yet. If you're ready to make the jump, though -- I say go for it....none of us are getting any younger! :drink:

I'm tellin' ya, I got your boat right here. I'll even meet you half way for delivery!;)

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o29987-en.html

Tanks is the boat. Dont waste your time on a fontain. 38's are 34/35. 35's are 31/32 maybe. Ask anyone also no comparison to a Cig.
-Mike