32 Fountain or 31 Sonic
jeff...@my-deja.com
Fountain or a new 99 31' Sonic. Both have 502
EFI's. Both are priced the same. I've been told
that I'll get a wetter ride in the fountain.
I've also been told that I'll get a much better
ride in the sonic in rough water. I've also been
told that the reasons you don't see many sonics
racing is because the hull can't take it. On the
other hand I've been told that the fountain is
overpriced from the beginning. I welcome your
comments,
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
mr_ve...@yahoo.com
jeff...@my-deja.com wrote:
> I'm about ready to buy either a used 98 32'
> Fountain or a new 99 31' Sonic. Both have 502
> EFI's. Both are priced the same. I've been told
> that I'll get a wetter ride in the fountain.
> I've also been told that I'll get a much better
> ride in the sonic in rough water. I've also been
> told that the reasons you don't see many sonics
> racing is because the hull can't take it. On the
> other hand I've been told that the fountain is
> overpriced from the beginning. I welcome your
> comments,
>
Although I don't own either boats I have friends that have both. One
friends had a 35 for 4 years that he beat the crap out of, when he sold
it the boat was perfect. I couldn'd find one stress crack anywhere on
the boat. He has since stepped up to a 45 with triple bulldogs. It's
been two years and the boat still shows no signs of stress. The other
Sonic that runs with us is also a 45 powered by triple Sterlings motors.
The boat runs very close to 100 mph and handles really well. Interiors
are really really roomy so if you have a wife to keep happy the sonic is
the right move. I think the reason you don't see Sonics racing is
because they are not as fast as a lot of the other boats. Sonics have a
25 degree V with no pad. The ride outstanding in rough water but you
trade that ride for a little speed. Sonics are not for me although it
is my opinion that Sonics are nice boats. I have a lot of respect for
Jay Ross.
Fountain???? A lot of marketing hype, maybe deserved maybe not. There
is one triple engine 42 that runs with us. When it gets rough he has a
hard time keeping the boat in the water and staying with the rest of the
crowd. Although other than the Fountain my Velocity is the only other
boat in the group that has a pad bottom.
You'll find a lot of opinions about Fountain here in the group. One
thread has recently been devoted to one of the Fountain F2 boats. Check
them out and take them for a ride and buy what you like. Either way
you'll be happy with either.
Garry Heon
http://home.att.net/~firststepp
Max450hp
H2Oatey
Mike C.
As a Fountain owner (29 Fever) you will have lots more room in the
Sonic. I looked at a 32 Fountain while there is a little bit more room in
the cabin the cockpit of my 29 has more room than the 32!
That's BULLSHIT that Sonic hulls can't take it in the rough! I have
been to there factory in Hollywood ( Ft. Lauderdale) Fl. many times and they
build a quality boat. I have also seen many Sonics with BIG engines 5+ years
old that where run hard out in the big swells of the Atlantic with no signs
of hull fatigue, stress cracks ect. I think Sonic makes a hot looking boat
and all the materials are supreme quality. Like wise Fountain makes a high
quality boat as well!
You really have to look at where you are running the boat. What is your
typical water conditions. Are in the Ocean alot? Are you on one of the
rough water Great Lakes or an inland lake? If you have swells of 4+ feet the
Sonic will ride smoother due to it's hull weight and 25 degree deadrise. The
Sonic will also be slower in smooth or moderate chop or swells up to 3 feet.
I have a report from Sonic a few years old saying that there 31 with 502
magnums (415 hp) will run about 75 mph. The 32 Fountain will run 81+ but is
lighter and the bottom is more airated. The engine to put in these boats is
the HP 500. That brings the Sonic up to 80 mph and the Fountain to 85mph.
With the right prop, low fuel, right weather and water conditions ect. the
32 Fountain with either an HP500 carb or EFI will hit 90mph.
One thing to watch out for with the Mercruiser 502 magnums is water
reversion. Due to the terrible design of the exhaust elbows because they
dump the water way to far up stream in the exhaust so you will get lots of
water reversion. Also the elbows and exhaust manifolds leak. I've had this
problem before and I have seen it on many other 502 magnums. Why Merc does
not fix this is beyond me! If you get the 502 mags go with an after market
exhaust like Stainless Marine, Eddie Marine, Gil Marine, IMCO that dumps the
water near the tips and that does not pass water through the flange of the
exhaust manifold and riser elbow.
I know where you can get a new 1999 32 Fountain Fever for around
$119,000. Intercoastal Marine in Sarasota, Fl.
Both are awsome boats you just have to figure out what you want and your
normal water conditions. Let us know what you decide!
--
Mike Carter
Representing Paiste & Aquarian world class percussion
Tom Wootton
in one before buying any other boat. I have a 24 ft version that has a 502
and goes 90 in at least six foot waves. It is the smoothest and most
exciting ride you will ever have. The 28 foot version with a 600 HP 502 goes
95 and is unbelievable. Everyone who has been in one ends up giddy with
laughter and can't believe how they handle. My friends with Fountains,
Bajas, Velocities, etc. are blown away by my boat. If you are in the San
Francisco area I will give you the ride of your life. I am pretty sure the
price is better too. They have a new race class in APBA offshore with the
24ft like mine with Mercury's new 377 Scorpion. I attached a copy of
Mercury's press release after this.
Tom
New APBA One-Design Racing Class For 2000
Fond du Lac, WI - November 19, 1999 . . . Mercury Racing has teamed up with
Armada Manufacturing of Irvine, Kentucky to launch an all-new American Power
Boat Association (APBA) one-design V-bottom racing class for the 2000
season.
The new APBA Offshore ŚDą class will feature Armadaąs V-24 V-bottom sport
boat powered exclusively by the all-new Mercury MerCruiser Hi-Performance
Scorpion 377 Sterndrive engine package. Mercury Racing has displaced Volvo
Pentaąs exclusivity as the official power of Armadaąs complete fleet of
racing and consumer hulls.
The Scorpion 377 features a 350 cubic inch small-block that is stroked to
377 cubic inches (6.2 L) for maximum power-to-weight ratio. The increased
cylinder block displacement, along with lightweight aluminum pistons,
balanced crankshaft, high-lift camshaft, and large flame arrestor, delivers
peak power and torque throughout the engine's operating range. The multiport
fuel injected small block delivers instant throttle response and big
block-like acceleration, producing 350 horsepower through the race-proven
Bravo One Performance Sterndrive. The potent Scorpion 377 easily powers the
V-24 to speeds in the mid to upper 80s. In fact, engine power may need to be
restricted to meet the requirements of this entry level racing class.
Similar to APBAąs highly successful Factory Offshore Racing Series, the
one-design class sets specs for hull and drive train. The major difference
is that Armadaąs V-24 V-bottom sport boat is the only hull legal for the
class making it more synominous to IROC auto racing. The goal of
one-design and Factory class racing is to control costs, making the sport of
powerboat racing more affordable with rules that ensure competitors are on
an even playing field.
The V-24, designed by Ocke Mannerfelt of Sweden, is a downsized version of
Armadaąs B-28 hull which has enjoyed great success in Union International
Motonautique (UIM) one-design offshore racing across Europe. The Mannerfelt
hulls, known as łBatboats˛ for the prominent wings incorporated into the
hull design, have won five world championships over the past four years. The
signature wings work to create both lift and stability, making the V-24 easy
and forgiving to drive for both veteran and rookie racers.
Pam Hawkins
little about a Sonic but I have a 32 Fountain that I have owned for about a
year and a half. It's a fabulous boat that I would highly recommend to
anyone. Mine has 500 HP's and runs 85.5 on GPS. The extra you may pay for
the fountain over the Sonic is well worth the difference in my opinion.
Unfortunately business is forcing the sale of my 32. If anyone is
interested it is the actual 1995 32 Fountain used n the February 95 Hot Boat
Magazine test. The boat is in fabulous shape and has 194 hours. I'm asking
$95,000. I can be contacted act boa...@dmotorworks.com
jeff...@my-deja.com> wrote in message news:820pi4$hhd$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> I'm about ready to buy either a used 98 32'
> Fountain or a new 99 31' Sonic. Both have 502
> EFI's. Both are priced the same. I've been told
> that I'll get a wetter ride in the fountain.
> I've also been told that I'll get a much better
> ride in the sonic in rough water. I've also been
> told that the reasons you don't see many sonics
> racing is because the hull can't take it. On the
> other hand I've been told that the fountain is
> overpriced from the beginning. I welcome your
> comments,
>
>
Jerry Hahn
>Mike wrote
> magnums (415 hp) . The 32 Fountain will run 81. The engine to put in these
boats is
> the HP 500. That brings the Fountain to 85mph.
> With the right prop, low fuel, right weather and water conditions ect. the
> 32 Fountain with either an HP500 carb or EFI will hit 90mph.
Hmmm, interesting. My '94 27' Fountain with the HP465 (502 at 440hp) and a
B&M supercharger cranking out 600hp will only do 80 mph. Stock 27's with
502's (415hp)are rated at 72, HP500 (470)rated at 78mph. I always assumed to
go faster you get a bigger motor, not a bigger boat. My boat has no steps
which is tested to be a 5 mph loss over stepped hulls. I would really like
to ride in a 32' with the HP500 that will do 90mph. You say this info is
from a Sonic report? Jerry
Mike C.
Not Fountain's info!!!!!! If you set up the 32 Fever with the right prop,
light fuel load, right weight displacement, water and weather it will go
90mph. Get this my 29 Fever with a HP500 is 3 mph faster than my neighbors
27 Fever with the same engine and prop! Both are new boats! He did not
believe me so we raced last weekend, traded boats and raced again. The 29
Fever @5400lbs is faster than the 4800lbs. 27 Fever. Oh and I had 134
gallons of fuel on board to his 30-40 gallons! So yes, sometimes bigger
boats with the same engine package are faster than smaller boats.
Another example, APBA E class World Championships. 29' Ultimate Warlocks
killed the 24' Velocity. All run the 415hp Merc. MagnumMPI.
Want anymore examples?!?!?!
--
Mike Carter
Representing Paiste & Aquarian world class percussion
Jerry Hahn <jerry...@email.msn.com> wrote in message > Hmmm, interesting.
Max450hp
more speed run 100mph all day long every day. run all weekend on a tank of gas.
If some one in a fountain or big V can pass you you will see them in a mile or
two with the hatches up. only thing to brake prop shafts but thats cheep$$$ If
you do blow a motor you did some thing real dumb o well buy a drop on power
head cheep $$$$ to a big V8 in the $$$$$. I thought i would HATE outboards but
one year later i love them. I grin when i see the guy next door with the big
Fountain with the big V8s he ran the boat one week total all summer the rest
of the summer he looked on from his dock when i go past at 8000 RPM all day
long HE HE lol give the Outboards a try
Jerry Hahn
could this be because the longer boat will run smoother with less bounce
giving it a faster ride? Jerry
Pam Hawkins <justr...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:8228r3$3gm$1...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net...