Thanks for the offer. I've looked at Formulas and have even ridden in them (granted it was a pretty old boat). Just something about them I don't care for. Not saying they are bad in any way, they're great boats, but for me it's just something that doesn't click with me. I looked at a bunch of them at the Chicago boat show this last winter and they really have nice stuff. They had a Formula guy there from the factory and holy cow was he nice. He didn't blow smoke and really took the time to answer my questions and just plain old shooting the **** about boating. I could tell he really had passion and I'm sure that comes out in their boats. Again it isn't anything I can say bad it's just in my mind that something doesn't click about them.

Are the sunnys vacuum bagged? Read through this couldn't tell. (sorry if redundant)
Are they all fully interlined?

Sounds like sunny includes the step in the length.
all agree Fountain length measurements are "generous".

How much of the interiors are inserted after vs part of the hull?

The East coast stuff is all over the place, the sunny seem to be the nicest one in from the right, but I'm not convinced they have their West coast counterparts beat.

The one I got a close look at a year ago had all kinds of screwed on parts not through bolted.

There's a whole other world of stuff over here- lots of super high quality products. Schiada, Laveycraft, Howard, Nordic...



UD

I don't think the Cig/Sunny raft pic is helping. It makes the Sunny look even shorter to me. It's like if you whipped down your BVD's standing next to John Holmes.

I've never been on either, but I do know that the 32 Sunsation that runs at Boyne Thunder always runs strong. What I know almost all Fountains do easily is tend to chine walk easier and/or moreso than other boats. My 32 did when you really started airing it out, so much that you really had to be careful with it. The Sunsation appears it would be similar.

The Sunsation looks to be a great ride for a 32, just like a 33 Powerplay appears to ride well when running next to one. However, you never can tell how much the occupants are being thrashed around compared to another boat. One driver may be more comfortable running harder than another that is trying to smooth out a ride, and that could make it look like a boat rides better or is faster or vice versa.

Fountains like to ride on top, not in wash tub water (they hate that), and they are efficient. I think the early Sunsations were the same, but I'd love to experience a newer SSR ride to see how that hull has changed.

Fasthawk- The only reason I say 35 lightning over 32 Sunny is because I feel they are the same build quality and I prefer the looks of the Fountain. Not real big on all of the added bling on sunsation and I don't feel they are build in accordance with the asking price. I found it interesting you noted in your boat list that the Fountain was really a 32 but did not mention anything about the Sunsation really being a 29. I realize we all like our own brands and there are a lot of back and forth conversations between owners (for example, I think my 33 is a better choice than either of them, but to each their own)...

In reply to your comment about the deck only being bonded to the hull on a sunsation, this is a big reason why I won't own a Sunsation... look at the pictures of all the 32 dominator rolls, how many do you see with the decks still attached to the hull? Not many, they collapse. If I'm paying 100k on a boat, it better damn well be a safe one when the unexpected happens and you hook off a rogue wave or spin on a turn.

I would take a 32 Schiada or a later built 33 Powerplay over either one of these boats. But very hard finds. Possible look at Hustler to.

No matter what you buy - have it very closely inspected by a certified OEM marine tech and if he does glass work to , that is a bonus for you. Do not listen that you need a surveyor to inspect your boat, yes for structural inspections only. Most surveyors do not even own or know how to properly read a scan tool plus most never done a leak down test either. I am not saying all but will say 3/4 's fall in the mix for a surveyor not doing a complete indepth mechanical / engine inspection. Most surveyors are not OEM marine engine trained either. Anyways just my 2 cents.

Agreed. I can not offer any specifics on the boats the original poster is looking at, there are many good ones out there, but one thing that I do want to offer is that you should take the overall condition and maintenance of ANY used vehicle (boat, car, truck) into consideration. When buying used, condition rules, in my opinion. Get it inspected, ask for maintenance records, and choose the one that fits you, and go enjoy!

Have you considered a Donzi 35 Zr.

80mph boat with 496's.

I haven't found any 35s, I've found bunch of 33s and a couple of 38s. Wife and I are REALLY liking Donzi though. Maybe you can give some input but the motors look pretty shoehorned in. All the 33s I've found look they have a really, really skinny engine bay. How easy is it to work on those like that? Changing the water impeller looks like it would be a huge pain. Everyone tells me when spending a big chunk of money on a boat like this to make sure I get exactly what I want, I'm starting to think I can't have everything. LOL

There are a couple different Donzi model lines. Make sure you compare apples to apples.

ZX is a BIG boat, especially the 33 and 38. They are tall, and over 9' wide.
ZR is not as tall, less cabin headroom, and is definitely faster. They 35 ZR might be an ideal boat for you.

Yeah I've been looking at all ZXs. I think you're right in that the 35 ZR looks more like something that would fit me, now I just need to find one in my price range.