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Random Quote: I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me
Just wondering what THT'ers think of the new Fountain 33 SFC. I've poked around one a few times, pretty impressed with the layout as well as the fit & finish.
My impression is that this is not your typical Fountain fish boat... (thats coming from someone who owns one!) It is much wider and heavier, somehow it feels more "significant" than other Fountains. Very non-traditional for them.
My only complaint (please no flames here...) is that with two V-275's the boat is supposed to run 51-52mph - while faster than other boats in its class, this is still a bit slow for me. Rigging trip's does not appear to be an option, though I might try begging if I thought it might help... One other option is to wait for the much-rumored V-3xx to materialize, but no one knows for sure if/when that will happen or how reliable they will be. I would like to be closer to 60-62mph top end with a comfortable 50mph cruise - essentially what I have now.
By the way, before someone asks why I would want to give up a 34CC to go to a 33SFC, that would be the addition of a mini-me to the family!!
Anyway, I'm just curious to see what you guys think of the boat... have any of you seen or perhaps even been out on one?
__________________ Rick
Pompano Beach, FL
'04 Fountain 34 CC
Trip '07 Opti 300XS
veradoclub
Unfortunately, not this year. We're pretty bummed about it...
We were all set but the closing on my wife's parents' new house in NC was pushed back until (of all days) August 5th. So that ended any chance of them babysitting... Interestingly, both Joe C and Rick L offered to "smuggle" me over, but not sure I would have a wife when I got back.
Next year!! We'll probably make the raft-up though if the weather is decent..
BTW - V350s should get that boat to around 60mph. I think I'd do the deal at that point...
__________________ Rick
Pompano Beach, FL
'04 Fountain 34 CC
Trip '07 Opti 300XS
veradoclub
Our family needs have changed as well. If we go outboard the 33SFC is on the short list. I really like the layout and it's significantly faster than the GW330. My biggest concern is resale. Fountain's don't seem to be holding their value as well as some other manufacturors (GW, Pursuit, Contender, SeeVee, etc.). Can you think of any reason that the 33SFC would buck the trend?
I had the chance to run one with twin 275 Verados at the Foutain plant a couple weeks ago. Very nice boat. Great turn of speed, very nice handling. Took wakes of the other boats that were being run on the river (48 Sport Cruiser, 38LX, as well as a couple go-fast boats) very well. Only a light 1-2 foot chop that day, so I cannot give an opinion on how it handles a sea. But, if it is any where near the other Foutains I have run off shore, it will be fine. Even the biggest shot present that day referred to this boat as the "Fountain Grady", much to the chagrin of the "little shots". Over-all, it is a very nice boat with nice accomodations, nicely layed out cockpit, great hull design and fast. If you are in the market for that sort of boat, it deserves your consideration.
Its hard to say if the 33SFC will buck the trend of low resale value...* I think it might purely because it has a wider audience (IMO) than does your typical Fountain fish boat - its much more family friendly.* At nearly 13,000lbs dry, its also not your typical go-fast Fountain so I don't see a lot of SKA guys buying this boat and then flooding the market with used ones later on...*
__________________ Rick
Pompano Beach, FL
'04 Fountain 34 CC
Trip '07 Opti 300XS
veradoclub
Have you seen what they are selling for realistically? Considering the the questionable resale, it would have to be somewhere around $30K less (new) than the Grady to warrant serious consideration. That would have to put it in the $190K to $200K range. Another strike (from my perspective) is that is doesn't appear to offer a diesel generator option. Decisions, Decisions......
Pick mine up in 2 days. I will let you guys know how she performs, should be heading offshore within the next two weeks. The whole thought behind a diesel gen. is having to carry 2 different fuels, which I agreed on. Very excited.
__________________ VERADO CLUB
"Every man dies, but not every man truly lives....."
So did you get the gas gen? My only concern is the thought of taking a nap with the gas gen running & never waking up (if you know what I mean). If you wouldn't mind IM'ing me round numbers on what you spent along with what they want for major option (like the gen) I would appreciate it.
Goggleyed - 8/4/2005 9:01 PMCaptJohnny - Congrats on the new ride!!So did you get the gas gen? My only concern is the thought of taking a nap with the gas gen running & never waking up (if you know what I mean). If you wouldn't mind IM'ing me round numbers on what you spent along with what they want for major option (like the gen) I would appreciate it.
Ditto, I too would be interested in the above information. Also, once you splash the new rig, be sure to send us all a report!!
__________________ Rick
Pompano Beach, FL
'04 Fountain 34 CC
Trip '07 Opti 300XS
veradoclub
CO2 Detectors are standard on that boat. If you are getting fumes in the cabin, they will wake you! You can even add a detector or two as a back up, if you feel the need. Keep in mind, CO2 is not just a problem wiht gas gens, diesels but out enough to kill you, under the same circumstances.
That boat is beautiful !!! Been a long time since I have had heart paps over a boat picture !!! I better go to the sandbar and make sure I aint ........................uh........funny !!!
Laid eyes on her for the first time yesterday, everything I would have ever hoped X 10. What a beautiful boat. The electronics are being installed this week, and I wanted to put a solid coat of Fleetwax on her before splashed, so looks to be in the slip by Friday latest. Wish there were more boats out there for you guys to see, because the product is truly impressive. Will keep posted with details and pics asap. Out.
__________________ VERADO CLUB
"Every man dies, but not every man truly lives....."
I have ran the boat in a 15 knot NE wind off of Lauderdale, and anyone who has boated down here, knows those conditions are no fun. They usually result in a nice 4' NE swell accompanied by a 2' chop on top, definately not the kind of day ou want to go out for fun in. This was the first time i had been in the boat, and it truly does run awesome! In a head sea, the huge flair blasts water out to the sides and never sprays the windshield. Beam sea conditions provide a ver stable rde, no pitching and rolling like a traditional deep vee while running, and dry is an understatement. Coming in Port Everglades with the waves,i stuk her onthe pins, brought the tabs up, and just let her eat. never once did she have a tendancy to stuff. You really must experience the ride to appreciate it.
About resale, you will see that continue to climb, especially lately. New Fountains have increased in price gradually over the years (as have most manufacturers), but the main thing is that they have a huge backlog right now. This will in turn raise the pricing on used since if people cannot get a new boat that they want, they will look used. As more people do that, the supply will dwindle, raising the demand and thus increasing pricing. I have always felt that Fountain has good resale (I guess it depends on where you boat). My buddy just sold his '04 34 CC for about 10k less than he paid for it almost 2 years ago, not bad at all!
Joey - Thanks for the ride feedback. If sounds like your friend made out ok on the resale. If you check the trader and other online sources the Fountains are ususally being offered at a fairly steep discount as compared to new. Hopefully you're right about the trend.
My friend is on his second season with the 33 SFC. His only complaint with it is the fuel economy, it's a little harder on fuel than he expected. The ride is great, the helm area sits five comfortably and the cabin sleeps 4 with no problem. I looked at quite a few boats with him in that size range and in my opinion none of them even come close to it.
Fountain 33 SFC 
One other option is to wait for the much-rumored V-3xx to materialize, but no one knows for sure if/when that will happen or how reliable they will be. I would like to be closer to 60-62mph top end with a comfortable 50mph cruise - essentially what I have now.
So that ended any chance of them babysitting... Interestingly, both Joe C and Rick L offered to "smuggle" me over, but not sure I would have a wife when I got back.
