Before you all laugh at this ridiculous comparison, please hear me out....

I love this forum, been watching from outside for a few years and the collective knowledge on here is awesome. I've finally joined and hope your input will help me with my next boat.

I live in Thailand and go boating in the Gulf of Thailand. The seas vary greatly but a typical day out means 4'-5' chop spaced 15' apart. Pretty grotty conditions. I don't go fishing, poker runs, racing etc. My boat is very lightly used (once per month) stored indoors and is only a toy for island hopping. Usually have a crew of 4-6 adults.

Currently own a 2007 Fountain 34' with triple Verados and love it. Imported it from Florida 18 months ago. Prior to that I imported a Sea ray 410 Sundanver. Also a great boat. I like to change every two years if I can. The Fountain is for sale now.

Here's where my question makes sense, You members know Fountain sports boats inside out but I'm sure many of you have had experiences with the centre consoles too. In open waters as I've described, can you give me an idea what to expect out of a 35 Executioner compared to my current boat? I realise the Ex is a smallish 35' (platform and beak) but with a 1' narrower beam than my CC and some 2,000 lbs lighter, can I expect similar or better handling in the choppy coditions? There are no Fountain 35's to be found anywhere in Thailand so I'm asking you.

I'm hoping the Ex would be as good underway but bob around a bit at rest. This wouldn't matter because we stop in small protected coves when island hopping. It's the cruise to the islands that matters.

My CC is good for high 60's and a 35 Ex with 496's seems to be about 10mph faster. that's fine by me, conditions are rarely suitable for any more in a boat this size.

I could probably go to that other forum (dare I say THT?) but I already know about the 34' CC so I've come here.

Expecting to get flamed here but hoping for some nice answers too..........

Cheers, rr.



EDIT: If the moderators think this should be in the Fountain Owners thread please go ahead and move it.

You need a 42 executioner. The 35 will not handle the waves as well as your current 34 CC. A 42 with twin 525's will still do 75-80 and will bridge the waves much better.

Wannabe

I would also think you'd be much happier with a 42 (which is really about a 38' boat).

Would absolutely love a 42' or even a 47' but I have 2 issues....

1) The shipping to Thailand (on a trailer) for a 35' will fit on a flat rack and cost about 12k from the East Coast. A 42' is shipped differently and the cost would be a little over 30k. Import costs when she arrives are also a big factor so the cost will blow out on the 42. Hard to justify for a boat that would be very lightly used. If I lived in the U.S. it would be an absolute no brainer!

2) second issue is the engines. I'd love to have blue motors but from reading on the forum, they require a lot more close attention and pampering compared to plain old 496's. The service back up in Thailand for race engines is poor at best.

I appreciate your input, I know you guys know about Fountains. If everyone concurs with you, I'll probably have to do a re-think.

Slightly off track, there's a couple of 42's advertised without engines. Any thoughts on performance if I put 2 brand new 8.2 430hp's in one, would she see 70mph and cruise at 50 or am I dreaming? New Mercruiser engines/installations here are quite well priced but not so with Mercury Racing line.

Thanks again.

rr

If you're limited to a 35 due to the shipping issue, you would probably better served going with another brand of boat that offers a true 35 length with no built in swim platform or beak.

And a stepped 42 Fountain with 430's has to be good for at least 75 mph I would think...

It's just the cost of shipping blows out at 39'6" overall. Front of the traler coupling to the tip of the drives/platform whichever is longer. Might be able to fit a 38' if I can modify the draw bar but same applies for any boat.

Interesting thought on the 42 with stock engines. I know it'd be a bit of a 'wussy' boat in the U.S. but a very practical one here.

Thanks SS930

rr

What brand would that be? A 1987 Cig Café?

Speaking from experience, I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the handling of a 35 fountain. Those are some pretty treacherous conditions you have there, I am not sure if I would boat at all

So you would like a NEWER boat, with trouble free engines, and you have shipping constraints, and you have to boat in rough seas....I think you picked the correct boat.

You other options in that size

33 BAJA
33 AT
32 Sunsation
31 Cig
35 Sonic
33 Donzi ZX
35 Donzi ZR
344 Hustler



The only boats that will hold a candle to the fountain in that category are the AT, Donzi ZR, and the Hustler.....and they are the SAME SIZE!

I would be most concerned about parts/service on I/O boats vs. the ease of OB's