What has happen?
 

I have been looking at Velocity's for about 6 months now. I have found a '99 320 that is right in my price range. I have just read through ALOT of the threads talking about the 320's and there handling issues. This particular 320 has the original 454 MPI's with bravo 1's. After what I have read I almost feel talked right out of buying the boat. I don't see motor upgrades as an option, almost makes me want to look elsewhere. Convince me otherwise fellas!!!

Check with 1Hyper1!! He could give you some good info on the 320! I heard his runs 100 or so! My brother also has one with a single eng. and runs in the low 70's. STAYS on the pad without any handling issues. You have to drive all Velocity's when they are on the pad, but that is a whole different story!

The handling doesn't get quirky until 85+ and you'll be fine with a 454 MPI. While more power is always nicer, a 454 MPI is perfectly fine. Don't be overly concerned about the "balancing on the pad talk" as conditions have to be conducive for this anyway. Yes you'll need to be conscience of tab settings but you won't find a faster, sharper turning boat in its size. Hopefully, the guy that gives you a test drive can show you how to drive it properly and then YOU can make up YOUR own mind about the boat. The 320 was in production for about 10 model years - take that as a good sign. :rolleyes:

The 320 is a great boat and I will put it up against any other brand in all water conditions.The boat is a drivers boat as all Velocitys are,but as Rick pointed out with the boat you are looking at,it will be a good all around package that is reliable and that is worth its weight in gold.Where are you from,if you are not to far come to Delaware and I will be more than happy to take you for a ride and show you how the boat runs and then you can form your own opinion after that and I think you will be impresseed.:ernaehrung004:

Let me know if I can help, I have to sell my 2003 320. I might get you close to 1999 price. Check it out.

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o18619-en.html

Nice price! I wish I was looking:cool:

I looked for 5 months for a 32 without any luck. I buy a 28 2 weeks ago and yours comes up for sale....go figure!!!!! Bump for a very nice boat!

Thanks for the link. The '99 I have found is $20K less so I feel like I have found a decent deal also. I really like your boat though. Good luck with the sale.

I have read ALOT of the threads you have responded to regarding the 320, that's actually where my fear stems from. Most of my boating will be intercoastal but I do anticipate some rough water outings when I make runs to the keys. I am not near Delaware or I would be all over your invitation, ecspecially if it includes:ernaehrung004:. I will be water testing the boat early next week, please let me know of any suggestions you may have that I should be aware of during my water test. Thanks for your response.

The particular one I am looking at has twin MPI's, only upgrades I am aware of is Stainless exhaust, otherwise the motors are stock. I think being that a 32 is the largest boat I have owned that twin stock MPI's would be fine for a couple years. Most of my boating is cruising being that it is on the intracostal and conditions are not condusive for WOT boating anyway. Thanks for your input, hope to become part of the velocity crew soon.

Any flaws in the 99's that I should be aware of? This is only my third boat purchase so any suggestions would be great. I will have a survey done before purchase so I will have that peace of mind.

I bought my 320 new in 1998 and never had any issues worth mentioning with it and there's very little difference if any between those two model years. The boat you're looking at is now 8 years old so you'll need to go though it carefully and it would be best to get it surveyed. At least question anything that doesn't look factory original.

Good luck and I think the 320 with 454MPI's is a great choice for your intentions.

As an honest piece of advise, make sure your surveyor is aware of the water issues with many Velocities, specificaly in the transom and stringer areas, and checks this out very throughly. Spend some time going thru the threads here to bring yourself up to speed on these issues. Not trying to rain on the parade, just offering up a word of caution.

Or just check to make sure the transom assy's have not been on and off without someone sealing them properly on the re-install.

Hey Ragged, how's that Fountain runnin?

Good luck on the 99 hope she works out for you.

Blown, sounds like your luck is as good as mine, I found the perfect 320 and now have to go over seas in JAN. I guess I can store her if I can't find a buyer and enjoy it when i return.:hitfan:

Running like a champ, and heading down the road later this morning with her new owner. Have to leave soon for the marina to meet the new owner and finish up the transfer. Then it's time to find the next one. Naturally another Fountain :D, just hope to find another as perfect as this one is. Not sure if this is the start of a great new adventure, or a royal PIA. Guess I'll find out soon enough.

Good luck with the sale and purchase of your Fountains! Oh by the way, don't forget to check that the deck and hull are sealed together at the transom, I hear they tend to sink at random!:D

Hey Wet Rat the only thing I personally had a problem with was the wet transom but I can assure you of one thing,I love how the boat runs in all water conditions and it is a blast to operate and it is even more fun to spank some peoples butts in all kinds of water conditions.Take a ride in one with someone who knows how to run one,I do believe Tom/AKA Velocity Tom is not to far from you and he knows how to run the boats and he will show you how they perform or if you wait I think my boat will be going to Key West for the world championships in Nov and I will show you first hand and then you can make your decision,:ernaehrung004:

RaggedEdge--I have read all of the threads that you have included input in. I appreciate the input, I will surely pay close attention to the transom. The present owner is the second owner of the boat and seems to be maticulous but maticuluos doesn't always account for poor craftmanship

Did the transom issues ever get brought to the attention of velocity where potential buyers could feel comfortable knowing velocity fixed the flaw? In other words are there certain years that this was a major issue until velocity fixed the issue? It sounds like this is the major issue with the hulls

The transom was completely redone by myself and Viscious22/AKA Steve Foulk and it is better than new and solid as a rock.I do not know if there were certain years all I can say is have a survey done and make sure they check the transom.If you buy it you will love it.:cool-smiley-027:
Hey Pete,my phone did nor ring:D

I asked the present owner flat out if he has had any transom issues, he denies. He did bring to my attention that there were two inspection covers below the swim platform, both containing drain holes. He siliconed the drains and covers. Can someone tell me what the original purpose of these was?

Wet i believe those are used for an add on swim platfor to drain the hull/platform of any water that may enter during use.
If this helps any i have a93 Throghbred now a velocity and love it could not be happier with it and the lines they have are unmistakeble. Good Luck.
Mike

This boat has a swim platform already that looks integrated into the hull-hmmmmm. Wonder why the owner siliconed them closed? Oh well, yet another design flaw?

My 320 has the drain holes also,they are not siliconed closed for a reason,the swim platform will get water in the air pockets of the platform ,all fiberglass inside and out so it does not hurt any thing and when you bring the boat up on plane it drains out and when you pull the boat out of the water it will drain completely.Dont worry about that.If anyone is looking to purchase the fastest 320 in the country I am going to sell it and buy a 390 or a 41.:D

HYPER is right on here, the swim platform is sort of an add-on, but looks molded in deal. Those holes need to be open to keep water from staying in there, not real smart to plug them up.

And HYPER your phone didn't ring cause you haven't sold the Velocity yet. I needed to make a "no trade" deal this time around. Although our last double flip worked out pretty well.:D

Any super clean Fountains for sale in your area?

Yes,do you want tripple,twins,or staggered.:cool-smiley-026:

Really pretty open on where I go next. Another 35, the newer twin step, a 38, or maybe even a 42. I'm thinking a 38 might be the best answer. Trip's are out for sure, and stock power is about all I will consider. A 38 with staggered 525's would be real sweet. Anything is worth looking at, if the price is right you can change a few things around. Let me know if you hear of anything.

You already know the brand preference ;).

Wet transom in a Velocity?? No way!!:rolleyes:

Hey Vinny,are you coming to Cambridge this weekend,I will take you for a blast so you dont forget what it is like to run in a Velocity I might even let you run it if you promise not to put the Voodoo curse on it like the one you and Marty have on yours.:ernaehrung004:

Bill, I'm stil up in the air with Cambridge.
If I get in the boat, it might instantly absorb water.:D

Have fun in Cambridge...I'm taking a pass this year.

No way,I fiberglassed this myself as well as sealed the transom properly,the only way it will get water in it is with a hose,wet bathing suit,or you spill a bottle of water.:D or a cold beer might get spilled but that would be more like a crime :ernaehrung004:let me know if you are comoing down.

Bill, if I was to buy a 320 that had a solid transom in it what can be done to ensure it won't soak up water? Is the source of failure the entire transom? Would it have to be redone to ensure it doesn't become a sponge? I looked at a decent 320 a couple days ago, checks out pretty good to my eye but I am terrified of the transom issue, I can't afford to buy something that is destined to ROT!

No the main thing that has to be checked on any boat including a Velocity is where the tail pipes come through the transom.If you look inside the engine bay and see any water stains that is a possible sign of water seeping in.Also you need to understand that the Velocity line as a whole is not the problem,usually someone has been in to the transom for some reason but there are some select boats that were not sealed properly from the factory but I can only speak for my own personal experiences.I do know alot of other people that have never had any problems at all so I would not be overly concerned,have a survey done and if it comes back OK,BUY IT.

On my 2002 VR-1, the tailpipes were sealed just fine, but one of them was rotated (clocked?) so that the internal flapper wasn't closing right.

The boat checks out really well, seems to have been taken good care of. Has Stainless Marine exhaust upgrade otherwise the motors are stock. I have a few other possibilities cooking including a 2000 32 fountain fever. I will let you know what the outcome is. Thanks for all your advise and posts.

The 32 Velocity will out perform and is a much better all around boat because the Fountain is really only27 or 28 feet long and is a lower sided boat,stick with the Velocity you will be much happier.:ernaehrung004:

hmm-thanks for the advise. I did think the 32 velocity was a BIG 32