SDFountain35stag

Hi,
I just bought a 2008 Fountain 35 lightning Staggered engines with twin 525 mercruiser, the boat has no longer the Drives and I have to buy a pair of new Bravo drives.
It originally had XR Sportmaster short which makes it reach about 100MPH in salt water according to the technical data.
As I will use it exclusively in fresh water, I think the maximum speed should not exceed 85MPH, which is OK for me.

My question is, as the boat is not going to exceed 85MPH since it is going to stay on fresh water, are the XR Sportmaster shorts really necessary or not?
Or are the Bravo XR classic enough to reach 85MPH in fresh water on this specific boat?

Thanks for your advices
Steve

IGetWet

Is planing time something your concerned about, or are the regular lowers that much cheaper that the sportmasters? With the -2 sportmasters you can always add a spacer to aid with planning, and then remove them in the future if you want to run faster. I’d bet you’d be close to or at 85 with the standard lowers.

F-2 Speedy

I have a pair of XR lowers, like new one has 0 hrs on rebuild and the other one has 20 hours, 7K for the pair

JaayTeee

They mount the drives really high, you’ll want to use dual water pick up or low water pick up lowers on it.

Wildman_grafix

Even with the longer lowers that boat will be a 90mph ride.

very well set up side by side twin steps with 525’s will run 90 and with the right props and loaded light hit 92-93.

I would put the longer lowers to make it more user friendly getting on plane and enjoy it.

adrenalinejunkey

You’ll be absolutely fine with the standard length lowers and probably cut down your planing time some. Use low water pickup drives. Your boat should still run in the 90’s. I have completely rebuilt lowers with 0 hours for $3200 each and I’d be interested in your shorties. My lowers come with a 1 year warranty also. If you’re interested text me at (508) 631-4784

Brad Christy

Steve,

Might be a silly question, but....

What does "since it will be a freshwater boat" have to do with only running 85MPH? All things being equal, aside from salt water being more dense, and, therefore, more drag on the hull, I'd think you'd run faster in freshwater, not slower.

I'm not questioning your acceptance for not running as fast, just curious as to the logic.

Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991

Unlimited jd

The hull is more buoyant in salt water, I’ve never tested it but most have reported 1-2 mph faster in salt. Maybe it’s coincidence and just the current

Wildman_grafix

Most think salt is faster because the boat is more buoyant, I think it has more to do with Altitude. But on my boat I really did not see any difference, Air temp has more effect then anything for me, in fresh water Mid west (around 700 foot elevation) it was a every day any day 82, cooler or lighter load 85.

Same here, when it is cooler I hit 85 pretty quick and be on the limiters, middle of the summer its 82-83.

DRAG

You’ll be a happy camper if all you want is 85…either XR lower should easily get you beyond that. That’s a fast boat with little power