*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: Karma Is A Bitch, But Sometimes She Puts Out
Ride both on a nasty day and then decide, I think this willl give you a good idea. Yellowfin has a little bit of an edge on the Fountain as far as fishability goes, but when the going gets rough, I know the Fountain won't dissappoint, 3-5 foot seas are not a challenge for this boat. A 45-50 mph cruise throuigh such weather is not a possibility, it's a reality. I would be more than happy to give you a ride on the nastiest day of your choosing to demonstrate the rough water ability of the boat.
I have owned a 36 and the 34 cuddy and my 34 open will be finished next week. The Fountain is one fast boat but I disagree with Joey on which boat is a better boat in seas. Both boats are plenty fast but when it does get nasty the Yellowfin starts to shine. Case in point, during the Naples tourny this spring most boats ran south, it was flat for the first 20 or so miles and Mike Kaminski in his Fountian 34 pulled away from us. At the 20 mile mark it started to get rough(it ended up 3-5) we caught him, passed him and beat him to the Craig Wreck. There ended up being between 25-30 boats there and we were the first to arrive. Don't get me wrong, Fountain makes a nice boat but as you can see IMHO Yellowfin is the only way to go. I do agree with Joey as far as making sure you seatrial both boats in the worst conditions possible. By the way my cuddy had trip Yamaha F225's and runs in the high 50's loaded and low 60's light. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the boat, just shoot me an email.
Sundance Kid, I fished the 38 fountain w/ triples, we cruised 52 knots out in flat seas. On the way back it was solid 3's, we cruised in the upper 20 kt. range, you had to hold on the whole way and my kidneys hurt for a week because i had to pee so bad but there was no once could take a leak jackhammering along at 29 knts. The 34 is not going to do 50 mph is 3-5 foot seas unless you are strapped into a 3 pt. harness!
Whoa! Couple of real nice boats there. While I like the fountain a lot, I think the yellowfin would get my vote. Just thinking of layout, ride, and resale value. Good Luck.
Any information would greatly be appreciated. I have a 31' fountain for sale now. I am going to ride on a 34' Yellowfin that a friend has in Atlantic Beach soon. I have riden on the 34' fountain in calm water but never in rough water. My brother fished on a 34' Yellowfin in the OBOKMT this past weekend and said it was the best ride he had ever been on. I just needed ya'll experience before I spend that amount on either of the boats.
the 31' Fountain is a great fishing boat. We get around 1.8 mpg. It runs great in a head sea but it doesn't perform as well in a following sea. It will take a following sea but you can not run as fast in it.
I'll Have to agree with Barker. We have a 36 Yellowfin and it really likes to go fast in the ruff stuff. It might not be the fastest boat in the calm water, but I have really been amazed about how it rides when the seas get nasty. The flared bow really gives you some confidence in an ugly following sea. Good luck and enjoy picking out which ever you choose.
F225's, until the F250's are available. Loved the cuddy, with the extra weight was an incredible ride in seas. Can't wait until next week when we get the new boat. I'll post pictures when I can.
I have honestly never ridden in a Yellowfin. But I know Fountains. I have run them in all conditions and on several long trips. Nassau to Fort Lauderdale, Bimini etc. They run through slop & chop like nothing. As for Greg and his kidneys, its all in how you trim it.
Fuel econ: Hows Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau on 78 gallons? (triple 225 opti's)
MattG,
Evidently whoever was running the boat did not know what they were doing. The faster you run a Fountain, the better they ride and your captain has shown us that he did not know that. The 38 really rides out better than a 34 all day long and am surprised you got beat up. We took our first 38 (originally called a 37) out in some real nasty stuff (I'm talking a 20 knot east wind and 4-6 with bigger ones thrown in for fun) to see how it would run and that boat tore up the waves with ease. I have been in numerous other 38s with all kinds of different power and they really are unmatched in seakeeping ability. We were making 40 mph dead into the seas and 50 mph with the seas and never once felt a hard wave. A 3' foot chop would not even phase a 34 or a 38. Ask Whos Your Daddy on the forum here, I rode over to Lucaya with him in a straight 3-5' head sea and were there in under two hours with an average speed of 42-44 mph. On the way home we made it in an hour and a half running with the same kind of slop and averaged 50 mph. If you don't believe me, I'll offer anyone a ride in the rough stuff and show you how these boats REALLY run .
I'll Have to agree with Barker. We have a 36 Yellowfin and it really likes to go fast in the ruff stuff. It might not be the fastest boat in the calm water, but I have really been amazed about how it rides when the seas get nasty. The flared bow really gives you some confidence in an ugly following sea. Good luck and enjoy picking out which ever you choose.
I saw you guys coming thru the Jetties a few weeks ago, damn that thing looks HUGE. Mighty fast for the conditions also.
I have owned a 36 and the 34 cuddy and my 34 open will be finished next week. The Fountain is one fast boat but I disagree with Joey on which boat is a better boat in seas. Both boats are plenty fast but when it does get nasty the Yellowfin starts to shine. Case in point, during the Naples tourny this spring most boats ran south, it was flat for the first 20 or so miles and Mike Kaminski in his Fountian 34 pulled away from us. At the 20 mile mark it started to get rough(it ended up 3-5) we caught him, passed him and beat him to the Craig Wreck. There ended up being between 25-30 boats there and we were the first to arrive. Don't get me wrong, Fountain makes a nice boat but as you can see IMHO Yellowfin is the only way to go. I do agree with Joey as far as making sure you seatrial both boats in the worst conditions possible. By the way my cuddy had trip Yamaha F225's and runs in the high 50's loaded and low 60's light. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the boat, just shoot me an email.
Well we all know Mike and Susan Kaminsky drive that boat like an egg truck If you beat them to the fishing grounds and it was rough, you should be proud
34' Fountain or 34' Yellowfin 
. 
If you beat them to the fishing grounds and it was rough, you should be proud 
