38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

I am considering these two boats - buying used. Can owners provide insight - what to look for or look out for? Thanks in advance.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

If yo have the money, go for a Twin Step Gun. If you don't, try and find either a carbon fiber or kevlar Top Gun. It takes a lot of power to go with the Fiberglass boats.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

I agree with lucky strike the twin step gun is the one. No question. Good luck

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

A stepped Top Gun or Tiger is as good as it gets. Carbon or Kevlar would pull the scales back and a great choice too.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

Cig all the way, the best deal you can get for your budget.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

I had a 42 Fountain. I was tortured with Quality issues that I couldn't fix without Factory participation. We all know about the world class Fountain Customer Service. I was disgusted with boats until I found my true love. My Top Gun. What a step up. The Boat, The folks a Cig. Dont torture yourself with the 42 Fountain. :)

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

Did they offer the hul in carbon / Kevlar or did they offer a 100% kevlar lay up or an upgrade to 100% carbon fiber to further lighten the hull? Also did the vacume bag or hand lay with these options?

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

I don't think that I will be able to swing a twin step - probably a mid to late ninety's - are there any years in that era that I should avoid?

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

I have a 93 with 525sc's and a kevlar layup and full cabin. Boat runs a solid 72 with full fuel and probably needs 1 degree out of the props to be optimum. Cruises effortlessly at 50. Boat was constantly updated and it shows. Even with that there are always little things so make sure you have a few $$ left to take care of them.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

42 Fountain. This board has alot of Cig lovers on don't let them sway you. If you want to be fast with mild power there is only one choice. If you want to go really fast with heavy power there is only one choice. They don't like to hear that so I'll say it.

Both are good boats. There have been problems with a few Fountains, they make a lot more boats. Cig has had multiple owners in a short period of time, that would worry me. I have looked close at hulls and decks on some Cigs up here and the stress cracks all over is something.

The main thing YOU have to decide is style. Do you like the lo profile fountain with the custom beak (many here hate-I love-one of a kind not like all the rest) and with lo freeboard OR the bigger hull style of a Cig? Then the cabin styling you have to look at.

I like the Top Gun. They are cool and way more custom. I would consider a Gun or Tiger also, but would probably end up with a Fountain again. Just too big, getting close to a lo profile express cruiser for me. If you are 6'6" you'll look stupid standing in a Fountain. Reggie looks goofy standing in a Cig if he ever has.

How about APACHE?? now there's a boat!!!!!!!!! hee hee

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

What about a 37 outerlimits say 96 or 97, How do they stack up in the picture?? Stepped hull, and mild power should get you decent performance.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

Blahh, blahh, blahh...
Resale? :D:D:D

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

RESALE ????????????? How happy do you think the original owner of your boat is about cigarette resale? :D :D :D

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

If you buy new, your fair game.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

Go with what you like...both boats have already depreciated if you get one used and they are both great boats. I like Fountains because I like the way they look. A friend of mine has one and it handles rough water great and it hasn't given him any more problems than any boat either of us has owned. Boats break no matter what...Look at all the stuff on the site here. If you are anything like the guys I know after a few years something new will be replacing it anyway. Never satisfied...........thats what makes this so expensive.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

People don't point and ask "is that one of them there 'Fountain' boats"?

Dollar wise the Cig will hold value infinitely better than the Fountain.

Equal power the Fountain is faster than the conventional "V"s, the TS Guns are much closer.

When it's rough, like the real deal offshore rough, though the Fountain guys will disagree, there is no comparison in the ride, or how much more punishment the Cig will take.

There are a lot of great great boats out there, but when you pull up to the dock, and you're in a "V", nothing says it better than Cigarette.

Only my two cents.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

If you want a 38' boat, buy a 42' Fountain! :crazy: :D

I happen to really like the Formula line but if I were to look at buying another boat anytime soon, it would be between the 382 Formula and the Top Gun (maybe a cat if I could talk the Misses into it! :argue: ).

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

I have been on them all. 38 TG is my choice. The Tigers are sweet as well. My friends or acquaintences who have or have had Fountains all want to trade me when the water turns rough.

Yes, a fountain with less power is a faster boat but when the water turns rough, the Cig's get goin! You will always stay dry in a Top Gun. You will get drenched in a Fountain.

GHL mentioned resale. Yes, new owners take the initial hit. I have always bought mine 4-5 years old. No hit except for the improvements or personalization I have done to them. If your wallet is a little light you can get more feet of boat with a Fountain than a Cig.

Good luck making your decison.

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

we have had 2 fountains love em. would buy a cig but not willing to pay the premium for it. the diff i saw was 50k-100k diff and that is 350-800 mo pmt diff. and that would prob also add 1-2k per yr in ins. thats alot of fuel. if i lived in florida or so cal and i ran in the ocean i woulld have a tiger hands down its a wave smashing beast.. but realistically i dont have big enough water here to justify a tog gun or even a 42 lightning.. so i saved myself a ton of money.. would ahve bought a 38 fountain couldnt find one so i got anotther 35.. and around here in sf bay delta area its perfect size for me and my family..
buy what u like and what fits your budget.. i see people becoming boat poor as the pmts, ins, etc set in. that can take the fun out of it in a hurry. especially if something breaks and one doesnt have any spare change left to repair..

my 02,,

Re: 38 cig or 42 Fountain
 

what i would buy is an active 37,, there is a badass one that was for sale a few mo ago talk to pat,basically same set up as jasmans old boat diff colors.basically a 100 mph boat for low 200's... i think its a sweet boat. hindsight is crystal clear. i think its the quality and performance of a cig with out the premium of the name.
oh oh some cig owner are gonna want my head on their mantel for that statement..
:) :)