45 Sonic v. 47 Fountain...seriously
 

I know it sounds retarded, but which one would you choose and why? (using equal power in both)

Sonic will have bigger cabin for comfort, Fountain will be faster. Both are nice. Only thing I don't like are the back to back bolsters on Fountain 47. Who wants your guests to be lookin backwards at 90. Also, I prefer twin big HP over triples.

If you're looking for a 47 Fountain, OSO member Raypanic just put his up for sale - pretty near the whole boat has been redone and updated. Fresh power as well.

Pics and details here: http://www.raymondbaldwin.com/Fountain/index.htm

Very, very nice....

Geez, I was hoping for more pictures to get a better idea of what he did!! :D :D

Yep, Ray needs to figure out how to use that digital camera. :D

I cringe just about every time I look at the paint job it had on it when he bought it; how could anyone think that looked good? Ugh...

Got to have the head room? Get the Sonic!!!

wonder why he did all and selling?

I know Ray's got at least 3 boats; I think he's got a touch of Too Old-itis, though it's not quite as advanced just yet. :)

I assume you are talking about a 47 Fountain Lightning?? We had a 42 Sonic which is the same boat at the 45 without the third engine. Now we have a 47 Fountain Sport Cruiser. The SC is closer in cabin space to the Sonic. I would not get the Lightning...too skinny, not enough head room. I would take the Sonic over a Lightning.

Just my personal opinion from a female's perspective. I think Bill likes the head room, too. We're getting old and going 100 mph isn't what we are into.

Patti

Either one you choose is a full sized bad boy.

We're talking 45 & 47 footers not 25 & 27 footers. Either way is a huge boat and each has plenty of room. Go whichever your taste and styling takes you, nd of course which is in the best shape so you get the best value...Good luck...

This is one of my favorite 47 fountains.
#76 world champion

I was in a 47' Fountain in a dealership a couple years back...you can get into the engine compartment with standing room..rear facing bolsters not for me...awesome cockpit but headroom in cabin a bit low.. but not bad...seemed like a solid boat...had triple 502's...it's amazing how there is such a jump in size "volume" from say a 35' to a 47'...I would love to see a Sonic..not a dealer in town....I like the graphics on those pics...I guess it's coming down to personal tastes "rule" ...my criteria are: COST ( can I afford it) and then...

1.) Performance
-Speed
-Engines needed to attain it/Triples?
-Handling


2.) Build Quality

3.) Styling/Graphics

4.) Resale

Which one for me? I never rode either one...but in this case would like to sit in the Sonic and see how it feels before deciding...

i like this post from the Fountain section...repost

I think a picture of the glove box interior is all that's missing....

That boat is beautiful!

We are getting old?? I knew Bill had a birthday, but come on, OLD?

From the male perspective:
Now with the house on the water a smaller boat with bigger engines may be just the ticket. Won't need all the cruiser accomodations. Maybe ac/heat and a head for the occasional overnighters. Oh and a frig for the "sodas"
But I will have to say that this boat makes a statement wherever it goes.

The inside:

Better galley than the Sonic

Only according to the calender

Wow...never seen inside...Only thing is some graphics on deck/fairing maybe....F O U N T A I N.......??

Top deck no graphics

Overall from astern

nice...

don't knock the rear- facing bolsters, they came in handy watching all the sonics, outerlimits, cigs, nortechs, formulas etc. on the sarasota run sat!

all the boats we passed--that is

I believe that but I still see everyone facing forward in that shot and no one sitting down in those rear bolsters. Great boat, just not a fan of those seats. Maybe just me.

A buddy has a 47' Fountain with triple 525's. It goes 94 mph with a full tank of gas or a quarter tank of gas, 2 people or 6 people. It just flys......period. I've never seen a boat that reacts less to added weight than that boat.

I got it in the first post-just because we are slow does not mean were dumb.:D :D

The new 47 with 525 and Sportmaster drives, Herring Props 98 mph with Generator and Air/Heat 1/2 Tank of fuel. Enclosed head and Galley. Not Bad for a large sport boat
:D :D :D

Forgot to add the 7 Race bolsters if needed in the 47 Fountain

Looks like Reggie took his speed charts off the web site. 98 sounds high but maybe with the modifications listed.

I know where that boat is headed.:D

Tested in Reggieville last Monday or Tuesday right?:D

Two Things,

Un Ortho Docs, in case you were confused here is the order for the 1st leg of the Sarasota run
1) XXX (OL)
2) Hammer Down ( formerly known as Can You Hear Me Now?) (OL)
3) Full House (OL)

4) Apache Heritage (Apache)

5) Us (Animal House) (OL)


Second, The Sonic pictured is a new 46. According to Powerboat Mag. W/ 1200 cobra's it stuggled to hit 100.


Did anybody concider the 51 OL, there are 2 good used ones on the market right now. Both w/ 1200 sterlings run 110 +

yeah, good point. Sonic's have never been thought of as having a slippery V hull. Sonic had quality issues as a whole in the early/mid 90's, but I havent heard anything bad since then. In my opinion:

* Ride quality goes to Sonic
* Speed goes to Fountain
* Dash layout goes to Fountain
* Cockpit comfort goes to Fountain
* Amenities goes to Sonic
* Cabin space goes to Sonic
* Build quality - tie
* Dock WoW factor goes to Fountain
* Factory support - open / tie

FeverMike,
I appreciate your input here, but after your first sentence I can't tell what you are saying. You like the build quality on the Sonic better?
I've been on both and the cushions are pretty similar. They all use just about the same marine grade closed cell foam, so if one's more comfortable its more due to design. Maybe if you run it through spell check before you sending, it would be a little clearer. Just a suggestion.

animal, great statistics! any of the top 5 have 525s and run all day on 87? Oh yeah, ask Bloom in the 51
OT about us, ask perfect storm...






















ot

I dont have a dog in this pony show but . . .


what does the above have to do with who came in first on the 1st leg of the Sarasota run :confused: ? I'm sure that there where hi powered Fountains on that run too, no ?

I have owned both boats. Sonic is a good riding boat with good amenities. Quality can use some help, but that depends on the day or year the boat was built. It does have hard cabin cushions but I found the cockpit ones to be comfortable. My biggest complaint against Sonic is the lack of imagination for the cabin design. Same layout in the 1995 vs. the 2003. They have in recent years changed the v-berth entrance and the new lay up process.
I never even looked at ther Fountain, just wasn't interested.
Now I have the 47 SC and love it. The layout is similar to the Sonic's cabin but the seat and v-berth cushions are much easier on the body. Much more storage than the Sonic and the galley is much nicer. As far as quality. The Fountain takes it. Speed wise is just going to depend on your personal choice of engines. Fountain has always been faster across the board but give Sonic time. With no step and a heavier boat it still moves out.

We could debate this all day long. It comes down to individual preferences.

I like both boats and would purchase another Sonic but will stay with my Fountain for now.

Un Ortho Docs,

Not discounting you, your boat, or your run, just pointing out that you claimed to have passed all of us, but I failed to see that.

In fact, your boat looks, runs, and sound great & I have nothing against it or you. I am not interested in Bloom in the 51, or Perfect Storm. Not trying to start a pissing match at all, just clearing something up.

Animal has a valid point. I am dissappointed that there were no Fountains in the top 5 to the first stop. OL owns the bragging rights at the Sarasota 04 period. Most poker runs with big hardware that I run, IT IS A RACE to the first stop. Generally everyone is going to run hard or WOT to the first stop. I will measure my run by how many boats are ahead of me and how many are behind at the first stop. After the first card stop, everyone knows who is who and enough said. Therefore, the rest of the run is maybe 80-90% WOT to preserve the delicate hardware we all have.

Ortho doc: your boat is mint and you have shown the performance Fountain is cabable of. Now just drop some triple 1200's in there so I won't be dissappointed next time. And I still don't like your rear bolsters!!:D ;) DT