MasonF

Narrowed down our search between these two boats. Both are right at our budget of $250k. How do the rides of each compare in a normal 2-3’ gulf chop? We want to move more towards the fountain because it has more fuel for longer trips but love the open layout of the contender. If anyone has any hours on both of these boats and would like to make an opinion please feel free. Thanks

nevets

The Fountain doesnt get a lot of love on here but would love to hear your first hand account of a Sea trial. At this price point you surely will be testing both right? I personally find the 34 extremely attractive.

datlhookYa

I have been on both. Fountain 34 wins hands down. Its like a smooth Cadillac ride. Fuel efficiency, if a concern, was also better on the Fountain 34

bixlemi

I have a 35st Contender and it is a better comp for the 34 Fountain. The 32st is a great boat but the length and width of the 34 Fountain will make a difference in a chop. If you are primarily using the boat for offshore fishing the Contender layout is hard to beat in my opinion.

marlinlane

suggest you take the time and visit marinas in your area and talk to owners and maybe hitch a ride to see for yourself-if you are near Freeport there are many fountains and contenders in the dry stack at surfside

Landito86

I agree with above. I currently run a 34 with twin vrod 300”s. I rode a 30st and 32st contender, as well as sea vee 29/32 before making my purchase and the 34 is much more compared to the contender 35. It does ride like a cadillac and very efficient. I am seeing 1.4-1.6 cruising at 40mph. As far as space is concerned mine is open and have bunch of space up front!!

good luck on your search.

Tjackson

I’ve been running a 34’ Fountain for 2 years. It’s a good boat, has no problems with 2-3’ chop but you will get wet. I can’t speak on the contender.

datlhookYa

I agree, both the fountain and contender are wet boats
My cape 32 is very dry, buttttttttt can't run as fast in the same conditions.

I still vote fountain

ucf_motorcycle

I know you didn’t ask but I’d say Just go with the 38 Fountain. For your budget you can definitely find a nice one and the 38 Hull is actually more efficient than the 34.

FishHarder

Fountain will be harder to sell.....you can get a 5 year old Invincible 36 with trips for that amount...a whole new league ..just make sure you have warrantee left to put 100 hours on it

Guidry4

PM Sent

22prokat

Just listed my 34 Fountain with triple 350 Vrods 2019. 460 gallon Fuel tank.

Diversion7

Fountain 34CC, great boat. I don’t have any experience with Contender but I know they build a fine boat. The Fountain is fast, efficient and a great fishing platform. We’ve been running ours for ten years without any issues. Good luck with your choice.

threemanx

Fountain is wet and lands hard. A wall of water from the front 20’ high all way down the sides. Every once in while it will come over ttop. Contender rides way more dry and way more soft. It will depending on hp run about the same.

Family Jewell Fishing

Look at the tournaments. There's a reason you'll see more Contenders at the start & finish.

BRC123

I own a Contender 32st, I couldn't be any happier. I looked everywhere and tried to find a different boat that was built as strong, efficient, and a great fishing platform and I couldn't find one. With 4 guys, fuel, ice, gear I usually get 1.8-1.9 at 38 mph. The boat is extremely dry and doesn't bang. I think the 32 is one of their best hulls in my opinion. Take a ride in one and decide for yourself. That is what convinced me. Feel free to ask me any questions on the boat. Lastly, I share the same sentiment as the person above-go watch a tournament and see what boats are actually fishing. A Contender even won Big Rock this year (not a 32st, but a Contender nonetheless). There is a reason everyone always puts a topic headline like this Contender vs Yellowfin, Contender vs Invincible, Contender vs (insert any name here), they are the boat all other boats are compared to. I rest my case.

LivingWaters22

OP, I am not sure how these people run their boats but the 34 Fountain is a great riding boat (yes captain input may be required when things get snotty) as is the 32st. Both are dry and land plush...again if ran properly, I can make any boat hit hard (I have owned YF, Inv and Contenders) if I'm not focused on the wave set, direction, etc. The differences between the rides of these two respective boats is very subtle and it truly takes a solid/lengthy sea trial to notice the difference. How do I know? Again, I have owned a 32st and I fished a 34 Fountain for years. I like that your soliciting opinions here (heck your spending $250k, you should be) but make sure you make all efforts to ride both boats in real world ocean conditions, only way to know what boat is more preferential to how you captain a boat.

coores14

The fountain is a Cadillac ride that lands hard and a dry boat that gets you wet.
good summary?

Jeepman

Now that Fountain is offering the 34 with open bow and coffin box the choice between the two gets harder.

Op asked this question back in July, curious what if anything he ended up with.