Advice on next boat (stepped 32-35')
 

I've been out of the loop for over 7 years so I could use some help. Looking to get my next one with mild power (496HO, 500EFI, 575SCI) and have the list narrowed down to:
Formula 353 Fastech
Hustler 344 Cheetah
Sunsation 32 SS/Dominator
Nordic 35 Flame
Fountain 35 Lightning twin step (staggered or side-by-side engines)

Pros/cons of each model? I'm leaning towards the last two and away from 525EFI due to topends/headers. Will be used on a couple calm lakes with an occasional trip to LOTO. Any advice is appreciated.

Formula probably rides the best and has the best build quality. I loved my 330. I’ve never been on the other boats. Hustler and fountain would be fastest.

Following...

Disagree. Assuming equal power, the Sunsation will be a faster boat than the 35 Fountain. Especially if it's the newer twin step SS/SSR/XRT bottom.
Source: Used to own one, and spent a lot of time on the other.

I ride very often in a 2008 Sunsation 32 with whipple charged 500 EFI's. It runs and handles great, also would be my next choice if I didn't have my 33 Active Thunder. I have rode in a newer staggered 35 fountain as well as a 344 Hustler, both with 525's. I liked the ride of the hustler compared to the Fountain or Sunsation. For all around looks and feel of everything I like the Sunsation. All 3 three are great boats and each person will have their own opinion on each. I would not stray away from the 525's. Each of the engines except for the 496's will need top ends around the same time as the 525's. The closed loop cooling in the 525's is a plus. As far as headers go most have been fixed or changed out to Stainless Marine exhaust. The 496's will last forever, but they don't have the performance and sound like the others listed. I can't comment on the Formula or the Nordic since I have no experience in either of them. Do your homework and try to get a ride in each of your choices to help with the decision.

I had a 35 Nordic for 3 or 4 seasons. It was a nice boat. Ran good, handled good. It ran mid 90's. Build quality was OK, certainly way better than a Fountain, probably about the same as a Sunsation, nowhere near as nice as Formula's build quality. I am not familiar enough with the Hustler to comment on them. 525's would be my FIRST choice of engines. Pretty good performance and limitless possibilities with them. I personally really like the 575's, but you need to be a mechanic to own them. With a few upgrades, they are a reliable 700hp

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Sunation is the fastest out of the boats listed, Tallest cabin , Lightest boat of the bunch so you give up a little ride quailty until you learn how to drive it, Most updated of the bunch. Seems like the Fountains are now showing signs of rot, I took a owner of a flame a ride on mine and he said it rode better and had more room so he ended up buying a 32. I have been told the Cheetah rides like a bass boat.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3104464f38.jpg

I know you stated stepped, but in your backyard depending where you are in Central, IL (I'm in Bloomington so this is 15 minutes from me).

https://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...ob-o81776.html

Have a lot of time in a couple of these on LOTO. Other than lacking freeboard of the SS/SSR/XRT/Innovator, cockpit is identical. Nothing wrong with the vented chine/pad of these in terms of ride quality in the rough and this is a legit 80 MPH boat with HO power. You'll appreciate the forward seating if you have more than 4 on the boat at any time.

Scarab 33AVS could be a good one to consider too.

A 32' Sunsation with the same power as a 35' Fountain with stagged engines is faster than the Fountain? No way

i would argue that a 33 Active Thunder with 525's is by far the best all-around boat in that size/power range. Runs 92-93 with 525's, deepest/biggest cockpit/biggest cabin and is probably the best riding boat in big water out of all the boats listed. A 35 Twin Step Cig would be on my short list too....

I'm on my second year owning a 2002 Formula 353 FasTech with 496HO's. We normally just cruise 40-60 MPH so not too much experience running top end. Had it topped at 74 MPH once. I've owned a few boats; none I've owned had match the quality of Formula. The customer service they still provide me on a 20 year old boat is crazy awesome. Factory has been very helpful and they stock many parts. We ran the boat for a week in July at LOTO last year. She took it very good - I was impressed. We ran over 400 miles for the week with no issues. Nothing against the other options - Formula is just very nice.

I agree, people smokin crack. The newest 35 fountains with 525s ran 105. Cheetahs with 525s and arnesons ran 100+ too.

How fast in real world is a staggard 35 fountain, Most people I talk to say 95, A side by side 32 runs 93 to 95 with more room. Reason I know I was going to sell my Sunsation and buy a 35 stagged.More than likely the Fountains have slowed down due to all the rot and water logged.

Double post
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Those boats are hard to find, I like the 35 Cig TS

What do you want to spend and why is 35 your limit? If it’s towing, there’s really not much difference between a 32-35ft or 39ft vee bottom and I think the 37-39 segment of the market has lot better offerings at just about the same price point because now you’re also throwing 38 Cigs, 37 Outerlimits, 37 Active Thunder, 38 Powerplay, 39 Nortech, etc… into play.

Also are you going to overnight? If so the TS Cigs are pretty much not even an option with how sparse the cabins are…

I saw it listed and like the colors but I want a closed bow on the next boat. I usually only had 4 or less people at a time.

That and the Donzi 35ZR were two I forgot to list that I'm considering.

Depends on the boat for price. I'm looking for my last boat so condition, colors, performance, etc are the big factors. We won't be overnighting on it at all but a place for my kids to get out of the sun and lay down is needed.
32-35ft is the sweet spot for me from what I've seen. I really prefer twin 496HO's due to low maintenance and most I've listed will run 80mph with that power plus handle occassional LOTO trips. Most of the time for the main lakes I'll be going to again, even 32ft is overkill.

I agree but I hate double bolsters (last boat had them). The only one I really liked was AJ's boat but long ago he sounded like he'd never sell it so I left 33ATs off the list.

The 344 Hustler with 525’s and Arnesons on Facebook is the best deal on a 32-35 footer right now in my opinion. He’s asking $99k now…

That looks like a fun boat.

Dont make me download Facebook 😂

Can you still get parts for Arneson drives?

Yes

If you don't plan on overnighting (need a big cabin), its hard to beat a 35 Donzi ZR. With the 496s the boat will hit 80mph and run over 90 with 525s. cockpit and cabin are the same as a 38 ZR (the extra 3 feet is for the staggered engines). If you want a more usable cabin, the 35 Formula or Sunsation would be best. I would stay away from a boat with Arneson drives just because the resale is more difficult and parts & maintenance are not as easy as Mercury.

Only thing is finding someone who is selling a 33 AT. That's a needle in the wood pile and all the rest are easy to find.

There is a broker, Mike Powell, who sends me listings for performance boasts that are listed. This came listing came to my Inbox two days ago.

A 2001 37' Active Thunder, non-swept skeg #6 drives (non-swept skeg) with NA 572 cu.in.700 hp motors for $79,000. I do not know anything about this boat or the broker, but here is the link which may be beneficial


Active Thunder 37 Custom boat for sale in Saint Petersburg, FL for $79,000 | 208475 (popyachts.com)

https://d1h6cla1qbh6o4.cloudfront.ne...7556490L.jpg?2

Im under the impression all you would ever need is a standard u-joint or rubber boot.

Ive driven by this a bunch. Not a bad deal for 6s on a step boat

Keep in mind some of these boats are wider than others, and thus have a roomier cockpit/cabin.

My 'Left Coast' ace up my sleeve. Lavey Craft 32 NuEra. A unique twin-step design created by the late Eddie Morenz in collaboration with the Camire brothers of Lavey Craft. 24 degrees at the transom and a very sharp entry made this 8'6" beam custom-built boat a very special boat. Features, attention to detail, performance numbers, and custom quality bar none qualify these as collectors' pieces in the making. This specific boat for sale was shown at the Los Angeles Boat Show when new. It got more attention than the two Schiada boats shown, in other words; it was in a class of its own.

For sale ad: https://www.outdrive1.com/?lightbox=dataItem-l59tu5z52

Test review article by Eric Colby: https://pokerrunsamerica.com/laveycr...y-eric-colby/#

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...20e58880f7.jpg

Consider posting a wanted ad or thread if you really want to find a needle in haystack boat, worked for me.

Thanks guys. I ended up getting a newer Dominator SSR with 496s.
The Scarab 33AVS was a little too dated.
The Nordic Flame didn't have a swim ladder.
I liked the 35 Fountain Lightnings but the transom/stringer rot stories scared me off.
The Donzi 35ZR was my next choice. Much larger boat but really liked the build quality/setup. The narrow sunpad caused the women to balk.
The Formula 353 Fastech is well built and full of amenities but much heavier/slower than the rest with equal power.