Besides the length can anyone offer any insight on how these boats ride? I know the fountain would be faster, but what about getting wet in the snotty stuff. Both boats are 2000 year models with 225.

Never rode in a 35 Donzi in rough water but i did have a Fountain 31' TE. Wet Boat and was not happy with the ride if rough water. Ran 62mph with 225's.
I would go with the length

I liked the Donzi ride better than the Fountain.
It tends to be a little more on the pleasure side too.

had a 2000 32 ZF (8" shorter than a 35) and it ran good in snot tight chop and ran about as good as the rest of them in 4'ers. Best was 58mph on a bay w/ 6" chop. It was 9'2" wide which made for lots of room and still outfitted to fish. 290 gallon tank would go a long waytoo. The Fountain is narrow but faster and did not seem to habe the amenties that the Donzi had, but the Foutain was faster.

Donzi hands down for overall equipment, ride quality and useability.