Formula 40ss or Fountain 38 Express?
#13
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
I shopped these for nearly a year......and just bought one 2 weeks ago.
We started looking for a 370SS or a 38EC. Even the 370ss is bigger than the 38EC. Then we got hung up on a 400ss....first I wanted blue motors, then I wanted diesel. It will cost more up front, but that is what you want! Why.......you'll soon notice most gas models are advertised with new drives or 2-3 year old drives and there is a reason for that!!! I also got test run data from Formula. Gas models get 0.9 mpg at best cruise. Diesel models tested at 1.65 mpg at a slightly slower best cruise.
We just got back a couple hours ago from a 3 day, 140-150 mile trip on a 09 diesel 400SS. A buddy with a Donzi 33ZX ran the whole way with us and I had a better fuel burn rate than he did! Plus, diesel is 30 to 70 cents a gallon cheaper on the water. (I spent $300 to cover 150 miles running heavy with gear/water, etc at a elevated cruise speed of 3,000 rpms @ 37mph)
We started looking for a 370SS or a 38EC. Even the 370ss is bigger than the 38EC. Then we got hung up on a 400ss....first I wanted blue motors, then I wanted diesel. It will cost more up front, but that is what you want! Why.......you'll soon notice most gas models are advertised with new drives or 2-3 year old drives and there is a reason for that!!! I also got test run data from Formula. Gas models get 0.9 mpg at best cruise. Diesel models tested at 1.65 mpg at a slightly slower best cruise.
We just got back a couple hours ago from a 3 day, 140-150 mile trip on a 09 diesel 400SS. A buddy with a Donzi 33ZX ran the whole way with us and I had a better fuel burn rate than he did! Plus, diesel is 30 to 70 cents a gallon cheaper on the water. (I spent $300 to cover 150 miles running heavy with gear/water, etc at a elevated cruise speed of 3,000 rpms @ 37mph)
#14
#15
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,989
Likes: 6,484
From: Chicago
So I`ve looked at a few 38EC`s , noone is really giving rides and I can`t buy a boat without knowing if I like the ride . Hows it going from a powerboat to a cruiser? I tried going 40mph in my cig but the family said it`s way too boring. Maybe it`s different with more room and you can relax more ?
#17
So I`ve looked at a few 38EC`s , noone is really giving rides and I can`t buy a boat without knowing if I like the ride . Hows it going from a powerboat to a cruiser? I tried going 40mph in my cig but the family said it`s way too boring. Maybe it`s different with more room and you can relax more ?
My previous 382 ran a best of 98mph. We've had a little CC for a few years and now this 400ss. To be honest I've been impressed how fast something this big is moving!
#18
Registered
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 8
From: wind ,on
"The ride is "boring" compared to a cig/etc. If you're going to use a SS or EC as a day boat then don't bother....you won't be happy. If you don't mind getting there last and then having everyone hangout on your boat you will be happy. You can hang out as late as you want before crashing in your own cabin for the night (at the docks or on the hook)."
T500hps nailed it!
I just picked up a 45 Excalibur with a new "blue power" (520's b3 xr's), happy wife.... happy life.
I hate driving it, so much that my soul flat lined... had to pull the talon out to jump start my soul.
T500hps nailed it!
I just picked up a 45 Excalibur with a new "blue power" (520's b3 xr's), happy wife.... happy life.
I hate driving it, so much that my soul flat lined... had to pull the talon out to jump start my soul.
#19
Registered
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 922
Likes: 128
From: Hemlock, MI
"The ride is "boring" compared to a cig/etc. If you're going to use a SS or EC as a day boat then don't bother....you won't be happy. If you don't mind getting there last and then having everyone hangout on your boat you will be happy. You can hang out as late as you want before crashing in your own cabin for the night (at the docks or on the hook)."
T500hps nailed it!
I just picked up a 45 Excalibur with a new "blue power" (520's b3 xr's), happy wife.... happy life.
I hate driving it, so much that my soul flat lined... had to pull the talon out to jump start my soul.
T500hps nailed it!
I just picked up a 45 Excalibur with a new "blue power" (520's b3 xr's), happy wife.... happy life.
I hate driving it, so much that my soul flat lined... had to pull the talon out to jump start my soul.




