the world is already too "Logan's Run" for me now. sometimes it feels like we are going the wrong way.

Lots of valid point made in this thread, to which I will add:

• Regardless of the outcome of his efforts, Iconic Marine Group owner Fred Ross was/is extremely passionate about the Fountain brand.
• The demand for new traditional closed-deck, stern-drive engine V-bottoms of the kind that made Fountain V-bottoms is minimal at best. Based on what I see being produced, less than a dozen are built a year. That could be a function of high prices. I believe—key word—is a function of changed consumer preference.
• Despite a currently soft market, the demand for outboard engine-powered center consoles and catamarans is strong.
• Center console production carried the Fountain brand for years before its eventual bankruptcy and purchase by Iconic.

For personal and professional reasons, I will forever be a fan of the Fountain brand. But the climb back to relevancy—especially on the V-bottom sportobat side—is steep.

Make of that what you will, but it's not inaccurate.

I agree with you 100% Matt. But, I will always be a v bottom boat with IO’s. I’m on my fourth Baja outlaw now. That’s the plan anyway. I’ll be 69 in September, so maybe things will change as I get older.

I will always be a Baja fan as well. How many people started their go-fast boating lives with Baja Outlaws—and in many cases stuck with them? I don't have an official count but many of the O.G. go-fast boat owners I know started with a Baja.

I agree with that and what I WISH, but doesn't seem to take hold would be traditional closed deck V's that have OB's. I was talking with a neighbor the other day about this, as I just climbed out of the bilge of a new to me boat that I am working on. He said, quote "you didn't go outboard?".

I told him the biggest reason is they simply make very, very few closed bow performance V's. Everything has went CC or cats.

And with used OB cats being in the 500K and above plus insane insurance costs that is out of my zip code. Of course my wishing is just like me wishing I would hit the LOTTO, not likely.

I'll have to keep playing with my old I/O junk. The new OB's are pretty cool and at 62 the bilge is not as fun anymore.

Not junk at all. And you're not wrong—outboard engines have not been the answer for closed-deck V-bottom sportboats. All credit to the builders such as Velocity that are trying to make it work, but it's been an uphill and mostly unsuccessful slog.

Just saw a 38 Top Gun "outboard conversion" at Performance Boat Center today. I think this will be a continuing trend for guys that are tired of wrenching and spending. The boat looks very well per portioned and has a ton of storage with its "new aft cabin".

Joe

Given all the cheap, used high-power outboards hitting the market, there is no way you will get to the same point in cost, performance and reliability by finding a modern truck engine in a junk yard, modifying it and hitching it to a stern drive.

It is simply not worth emulating with today's technology what made sense in the seventies when outboards peaked at 175 hp unless you enjoy wrenching more than you enjoy boating.

My buddy did that to his 35 Fountain, opened up the engine bay for seating etc. That is great but he had a shop and could do the work himself. For those that have to drop the boat off and call when done I would think it may be costly.

Another that also has shop space did a single Howard to dual OB's. That is a cool boat. With used 450's out I have thought at some point to try it, but would want to take advantage of the extra room. Seems a lot do not do that.


One thing I have always wondered, even though the OB's are lighter, you are moving that weight back and up from what the original design was. Seems that would take some work.

Ha Wildman, try it at 70+, but I still love doing it. The outboards are an attraction and they are well built. Used would not be my preference, here they have had the shiet ran out of them! Also, who wants to buy $3000.00 + props and have them worked on. The "R" motors are pretty badass, would hate to know what a teardown and rebuild is on those. The idea of a warranty is attractive though.