First big boat
 

I will be relocating to florida in a couple months and plan on getting a fairly fast boat that can handle the ocean. Thing is, I have never had a large boat. I am not new to boating and have been driving bass boats up in the Muskoka and on Georgian Bay for the last 10 years. I currently have a 20 foot Bullet the tops out at around 95mph on the gps. I have found a 38 fountain with twin 700sci engines, and also a 42 fountain with twin 1075sci. Both engines have fairly low hours, hulls and interiors are in equally good condition. I am looking for input from people with experience on big boats to get an idea if this is too large of a boat. My only concerns are docking and getting it back on the trailer. I usually have to get it back on the trailer on my own, as my wife can't provide much help lol. Its easy with a bass boat but I have no idea how different it will be with a 38-42 footer.

Seat time will be your friend. I went from a 23' boat to a 36' boat with twins. Docking was the scary part but taking friends with you that have experience as well as help from others played a big roll in getting comfy around those areas.

As far as trailer on and off......I never did that alone and could not imagine trying to do so in a boat that large.

It's just bigger. That long V will go right on with no problem

Unless its windy....^^^^........38-42 can be a handful in a cross wind, you may want to consider one of Tres Martin's driving schools he's out of Florida.

Driving is easy with some common sense. Docking takes a few simple pointers on how to dock without using the wheel then practice will get you the rest of the way.

Onto the trailer...... It's nice to have someone to be a guide and help secure the bow eye. A couple of trailer guide posts might offer a little comfort.

As long as you are aware of the costs involved with twins and especially modified engines, don't let anything stop you going big. Stick to a well known respected brand like a Fountain and you'll pick up the little things, don't try to learn everything on the first outing and play safe.

RR

P.S. Welcome to OSO. :)

:Go for it. I went from a 20' wellcraft V-20 to my cafe and (and that's the same size as the fountain - sorry I couldn't resist!!!!:bananalove::bananalove::party-smiley-004:

The only advice I would give would be make sure you have the truck for it...... and dunk your feet in at the right time and right place. Memorial Day weekend at the busiest ramp in town with a gale force warning in effect would be a recipe for all of us making fun of you ending up in YouTube.

You'll be fine, take your time and get a routine down for launch and retrieval. The crew is only as good as the leader, get your wife involved and give her jobs to do that fit her level of interest. My wife handles our boat on and off the trailer from the dock and uses 2 lines, I drive the truck and trailer. Once the boat is tied off I take over mechanicals and she gets ready for leaving the dock, pulling fenders and lines. 700s are MUCH easier on your wallet than the 1075s, not fuel but maintenance and rebuilds. There is also a really strong market for Fountains with 700s. If your looking at the red/white/black 38/700 boat at Performance Boats that is a really nice set-up, it would have been my choice if we didn't buy at the end of last season. But for that $ a 42/700 is on the radar, and if you have the room to store it and the truck to haul it that is a great choice. We just don't have the storage space for a 42'. The 1075 boat would be unreal fast but at what cost, check around on 1075s to educate yourself.

Ask the locals for advise on which ramps are the best for large boats.

Padraig

Exactly! Docking with twins is very easy. Idle speed, stay off of the steering wheel, and use the gearshift to maneuver. Practice makes perfect. Do not be afraid to shift.... play with it, and you will see that you can twist the boat into a tight spot.

My ex drove and trailered the boat. I handled the truck and heavy lifting. As one stated above give your wife responsibilities that will boost her confidence. Once you have a routine down everyone will enjoy the process. Keep us posted on your purchase and have fun!

Another tip for boats with a notched transom......
When maneuvering, trim the engines up a bit to redirect the prop wash from the reverse engine down a bit and under the boat. Otherwise, the wash hits the notch and pushes the boat forward. Think about it..........

RR

Darr

^^^ Crap, you think?

where in florida are you moving too?

hahaha I was waiting for someone to say it

That was my thought from the beginning

Appreciate the replies guys. I will keep these tips in mind. I'll bring up the topic with my wife and see if shes comfortable helping me out. I realized the high maintenance costs of running a 1075, and thats why I am leaning more towards a boat with 700s. My first choice was to try and find a 40 foot cat, but the prices of those are alot higher than fountains and I heard insurance for a cat is killer compared to a V

Post pics of your current boat

Doubt it is Darr, He might know of Georgian Bay but don't think he would know about Muskoka. Doesn't Florida have a ban on him entering the state?

boca raton

What is Darr?

Kind of like a Kraken. An Internet monster of mythic proportions. People automatically assume you are a trolling if you come on here talking about big high dollar boats with a low post count. Don't take it personally.

That 38/700 boat has a beautiful paint job - I crawled all over it prior to picking up our 42. The only 2 things that steered me away from the 38/700 was 1) I really wanted a 42 and 2) the engines are ready for top end work (from what I was told). It is certainly a head turner and presumably wicked fast!

Thats a great boat for leaning to dock and load

Trailering should be no problem either. 23 or 40ft. They load and unload the same way. Some people just aren't good at it. Lol

If you get your wife involved never ever yell at her. Especially around the docks with others around.

the 42 is hands down a better boat than the 38,i know as i own a 38 with big power and often drive my buddy,s 42.a 42 with 1075s is a totally awesome boat.send a pm to offshoreexcursion,he is the most awesome boater in the world and has logged more miles on the water than any man alive!

Rat race, pun intended.

To decide what length you like highly consider where you'll be storing and whether or not they can accommodate the boat. Where I'm located my hands are tied with just a 30.


As far as launching I saw one post about tying 2 line to the boat and letting it leave the trailer under power. I highly advise against it with a boat that you can't physically pull back on the trailer. For whatever reason it won't fire it's now stuck in the water. I've had 2 instances where mine hasn't fired on the trailer for removal once in the water and damn glad I power it off.

You must launch where there is just a ramp and no "docks", like Lake Cumberland. That takes some getting use to vs floating off the trailer, tieing off, then getting on the way
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Oh boy...:food-smiley-007:

Not trying to hi jack, but I also just stepped up to a 30' with twins from a 25'.I have had minimal time docking a friends boat with twins with good success.My biggest concern is learning when the tabs come into play other then if u need them to get up on plane.My buddy would set his level with the bottom of the boat and leave them there. Big_Rooster good luck with witch ever you choose,I have been in both up over 110mph and they are awesome boats!!!!!

Thanks Rak rua. Wow, the lights just went on. I've been backing my 35 Lightning into a 30' finger dock for the last 3 years and could never figure why it would't remain straight. I got pretty proficient at making adjustments, but will try trimming when I'm back on the water this spring.

In the thousands of times docking boats, many for other people that are scared of damaging there boat so they have me drive I have never experienced what rak said. I have trimmed up on boats that the props spin in though to get a little more response.

Some food for thought. I went from a 21' to a 27' and now a 35'. There is definitely a learning curve. I have zero regrets going bigger but a mishap can take all the fun out of boating. Also the Mercury racing engines require a lot more cost & upkeep. If you live in Ontario you may wish to call one of the authorized Merc Racing dealers, Double R Performance and pick their brains. Both are top notch marinas. As for towing, same deal. I had to upgrade my Ontario DL to a class A and have both truck & trailer inspected annually, though I don't know what Florida regs are. My point is do your due diligence (which you are on this forum) and get exactly what you want. Btw a 35 or 38 Fountain Lightning w 525s will run over 90 and cost less overall than the 700s and can be towed by a 3/4 ton pickup. Good luck with you decision.

My only experience with a notched transom was my Fountain 34cc triple Verados. The boat was pretty good docking but trimming the engines up, I felt, made a difference. It wasn't like night and day but it was better.

I played around one quiet day in the marina, still conditions and the boat felt more responsive to the reverse engine. Just my experience/thoughts.... :)

RR

I went from a 25ft to a 41 ft and find the duels easier to maneuver, however, wind is NOT your friend, with a larger boat it acts like a sail and can get away from you without a lot of seat time. Just remember go slow hit slow, take your time and you will be fine, hey that rhymes! I keep mine at Barber Marine and they take it out and store it indoors, so no trailering for me, you may give that some thought.

I ended up pulling the trigger on the 42 with 1075s. The owner was kind enough to take me out for lengthy ride in biscayne bay and a bit offshore to show me how well it handled some chop. I was impressed with the power and how it performed in what looked like 3-4' waves while maintaining high speeds. Something I'd never consider doing in the types of boats I owned in the past.

WOW, post some pics. 1075s in a 42 = bueno speed

Damn, if you're gonna step up, step up big!!! Congrats!!!

Congratulations! ....post pics!

:worthless_without_p