Looking to buy a 32-35 something. Few questions
07-10-2015 | 10:04 AM
#82
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From: IL
If I had an issue with your comments I'd let you know. Don't get too hot on your keyboard. The OP is researching which is awesome. However, there are threads upon threads of bashing and wave crushing talk. Read my original post. I wasn't directing anything towards anyone here.
and no I do not get too hot with my key board,,none of this $hit is of any importance to me,,,
07-10-2015 | 10:20 AM
#83
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Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Thailand
(sorry, couldn't resist)
Good engine access is always a plus regardless of what power you choose. Anyone know if you could do the same in a Sunny?
RR
07-10-2015 | 11:09 AM
#84
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Cincinnati , Oh
If I had an issue with your comments I'd let you know. Don't get too hot on your keyboard. The OP is researching which is awesome. However, there are threads upon threads of bashing and wave crushing talk. Read my original post. I wasn't directing anything towards anyone here.
Fountain ( pad bottom )
Sunsation (pad bottom pre 06)
Sunsation ( 06,07 and the 04 and up innovators deep v )
Sunsation ( 08 and up small pad )
Cig (Deep V )
Last edited by fasthawk6; 07-10-2015 at 11:15 AM.
07-10-2015 | 12:58 PM
#86
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From: Indian Lake, Ohio
Yeah that for sure is something I'm looking at. I just did my current boat and it was a major hassle standing on my head and reaching down and under the motor. That sucked.
07-10-2015 | 01:24 PM
#87
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Henderson, KY
Lot of opinions on this thread, but for what it's worth.
We upgraded from a 27' Fountain Fever (502MPI) that ran about 70mph on a good day. ...to a 35' Fountain Lightning (twin 575 sci's) that runs about 100mph. Generally speaking, we still run about 60~70mph 90% of the time. Just knowing it will do a lot more makes me happy.
The 35' Lightning cockpit is much larger than the 27' and the cabin is huge compared to the 27'. 90+% of the time, it's just my wife and I on the boat - and that's the way we want it, it's our time. The 35' Lightning is plenty big enough, fast enough, and fit/finish is good enough for us. The only reason we would consider selling it is if we wanted a 42' Lightning or switched/stopped our boating lifestyle.
Good luck with your search.
We upgraded from a 27' Fountain Fever (502MPI) that ran about 70mph on a good day. ...to a 35' Fountain Lightning (twin 575 sci's) that runs about 100mph. Generally speaking, we still run about 60~70mph 90% of the time. Just knowing it will do a lot more makes me happy.
The 35' Lightning cockpit is much larger than the 27' and the cabin is huge compared to the 27'. 90+% of the time, it's just my wife and I on the boat - and that's the way we want it, it's our time. The 35' Lightning is plenty big enough, fast enough, and fit/finish is good enough for us. The only reason we would consider selling it is if we wanted a 42' Lightning or switched/stopped our boating lifestyle.
Good luck with your search.
Just joined the group. I've been boating all my life but only owned smaller runabout boats. I do have some experience on bigger powerboats that friends and family have owned and I'm ready to step up to one myself.
I've been looking at a couple of 35 Fountain Executioners and a couple of Sunsation 32 Dominators. They all fall into the 2005 - 2007 range. I've ridden in a smaller Fountain and really liked it and I've always and still am partial to Fountain but I've been reading a lot of good things about Sunsations. I've never ridden in a Sunsation but have heard the 32 has as much room as a 35 Fountain. Anyone have any comments about the two I'm all ears. I do plan to drive a few hours to look at a Sunny in person but just looking to see what anyone has to say about each brand. Like I said I love Fountains but it seems like on paper the wiser choice would be a Sunny. They're customer service and parts availability is awesome. Anyone have any comments on what getting stuff for Fountains is like these days? Will it only get harder in the future to find parts? I know the company isn't done done, but seems like they aren't what they used to be say 5+ years ago. I'd like to hear otherwise if you have recent personal experience.
I'm leaning towards the 496 HOs because a few people have me spooked about blue motors and all the extra maintenance. Anyone have experience on say a 525 vs a 496 HO cost of ownership? I would say I boat about 75 - 100 hours a year. I don't always have a ton of time so when I do have it I like to be able to jump in the boat and go. I love to wrench on motors but these days I find myself with less and less time to do things like that. Of course I'd love to have a 525 or other blue motor (more power muhahahaha) but the extra speed isn't worth it if it isn't running half the time and or costs me +$5k a year to fix. Are my concerns on a blue motor vs 496 HO valid?
I've been looking at a couple of 35 Fountain Executioners and a couple of Sunsation 32 Dominators. They all fall into the 2005 - 2007 range. I've ridden in a smaller Fountain and really liked it and I've always and still am partial to Fountain but I've been reading a lot of good things about Sunsations. I've never ridden in a Sunsation but have heard the 32 has as much room as a 35 Fountain. Anyone have any comments about the two I'm all ears. I do plan to drive a few hours to look at a Sunny in person but just looking to see what anyone has to say about each brand. Like I said I love Fountains but it seems like on paper the wiser choice would be a Sunny. They're customer service and parts availability is awesome. Anyone have any comments on what getting stuff for Fountains is like these days? Will it only get harder in the future to find parts? I know the company isn't done done, but seems like they aren't what they used to be say 5+ years ago. I'd like to hear otherwise if you have recent personal experience.
I'm leaning towards the 496 HOs because a few people have me spooked about blue motors and all the extra maintenance. Anyone have experience on say a 525 vs a 496 HO cost of ownership? I would say I boat about 75 - 100 hours a year. I don't always have a ton of time so when I do have it I like to be able to jump in the boat and go. I love to wrench on motors but these days I find myself with less and less time to do things like that. Of course I'd love to have a 525 or other blue motor (more power muhahahaha) but the extra speed isn't worth it if it isn't running half the time and or costs me +$5k a year to fix. Are my concerns on a blue motor vs 496 HO valid?
07-10-2015 | 01:39 PM
#88
Charter Member # 55
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Omaha/LOTO
I'll mostly boat on Lake Cumberland in KY. Not sure if I'm pulling it in and out yet. Some of the quotes I've gotten for slips were a little more than I want to spend so most likely I'll be pulling in and out and put it in storage somewhere down there. Hadn't thought of the tanks on both sides, that does sound like a pain in the arse. I might stay on it a few nights a year, I don't expect it to happen often.
07-10-2015 | 07:03 PM
#89
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From: Michigan
OP I'm sure you've narrowed down to these 2 brands for a reason. I just throw this out there because a Formula Fastech seems to fit a lot of what your looking for. Regardless of the back and forth because of the passion about the brands we have, you can't go wrong with either. Sometimes times too much feedback causes more harm than good. Go with your gut on the few things that are REALLY important to you. Good luck.
07-10-2015 | 08:29 PM
#90
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I just went thru what you are going thru and i chose a 353 fastec with 496s.I wanted to spend nights onboard so cabin size and ac was important .As for speed who cares about 4 or 5 mph if the boat runs good thats the most important thing.There will always be boats that run a lot faster.I you want to test a fastec let me know i am in nashville.
