BoeingPilot

Gents,

Been a FasTech 353 owner for 11 years, Scarabs before that. Certainly not the most experienced owner here, but been around enough to know these sleds are fun -and need to be fed.

Considering a Fever 32 for NY Finger Lakes. Any tribal knowledge, pros/cons, survey fine points on the 32 model? Advice on avoiding a problem and identifying a good one appreciated too.

Thanks!

techman

353 to a 32 fever? Are you downsizing or just changing things up?

More cons than pros on a 32 Fever I'm afraid. Old, small for its length, tight cockpit and berth, a nightmare bilge to work on anything and one of Fountain's most notorious ass-dragging boats in terms of overall balance.

If you are truly downsizing then I would go for a newer 29 single IMHO.

Sydwayz

There were a number of 32' Fountains that sank due to their low freeboard, and the fact that twin engines on said hull puts the transom of the boat very low in the water.

There are a bunch of threads on the 32' Fountains in the past.

What's the deal, Is the 32 prone to sinking?

Wildman_grafix

People will tell you they are sinking. I still want to carry a 5 gal bucket of water and have the wife start bailing when they yell at us.

But the non step and small steps sit higher, the non step has vents on the side rather then the back. That was a stupid thing they did, I moved mine to the side and glassed the back up. Got tired of water killing my bilge blowers.

Of course with any old boat (almost all performance I/O's are old now) check for rot or one that has been redone.(talk to a buddy how his skater I/O was).
Fountain used little plastic trim rings with almost no sealing on them.

As for working on motors, moved trim pumps to the side and it isn't bad, look at the engine bays in a Baja, Sonic, or DONZI ZX, way tighter.

What I have found over the years the twin 32 is a little hot rod. Compared to say a 35 of similar top speed the 32 will do everything faster, think of a Vette compared to a performance sedan. Bit tight, sure but it's what you want. I have friends that love their pontoons.

In rough water I like the tight, not as bad as say a Phantom.

These little things will turn hard, and do not do anything strange when doing it,,,,,,,, unless of course trim and tabs are messed up but that is anything.

If all you are concerned about is top speed in a straight line, go for the bigger boat what ever brand that is.

And they are pretty easy to fly level.

Wildman_grafix

I looked at a SCARAB AVS that also sank because of water coming in, because the idiot anchored with the transom facing large waves.


These are NOT self bailing fish boats.

techman

If you have your heart set on a 32, I know of a very clean one with a owner/fanatic if you are interested.

BoeingPilot

Thanks Tuchman. Not selling the 353, it lives in Florida. Looking for NY Finger Lakes boat, interested in adding a Fever.

BoeingPilot

Not set on a 32, though leaning towards a 32 or 29 for where I'll use it. Sure, we can talk about the one you know. I'll DM you my number, welcome to do the same. Thanks Tech!

boatnt

owned a 32 , one of the best boats I've owned

c0ncEpT

The 29 has a larger cockpit than the 32 for what it's worth.