[jeffhennessey]

Been eyeballing a 1996 Fountain 25ft center console with a fuel injected Yammy 250 (150 hours). I can't seem to find too much info on these boats. Everyone knows that Fountains are top notch speed boats, but I'm more the fishing/crabbing type. The boat is definatly set up for some serious fishing, and looks like it would handle the Chesapeake and inshore Atlantic very well. Just curious if anyone has some experience with this model or could post a link for me. How do they stack up with others in the price range (23k)?Thanks.

[tashasdaddy]

23 is high for an 11 year old boat. i would think 16-19 depending on condition. they are good boats. google Fountain boats.

[jeffhennessey]

Yea the Nada guide has the boat listed at 17 to 19k without any goodies like radar, fish/depth finder, porta potti, t-top, etc..... Add in all the goodies and it comes out to between 20500 and 23k. I'm sure there would be some negotiating... Thanks for the heads up.

[kmurray802]

I've heard of several cases where the older Fountain C.C. boats have had water intrusion in floor stringers.I realize any boat that uses wood for construction runs a risk of this,however I guess we expect the higher end off shore boats to be water-proofed a little better then an average cruiser.The one's that I heard about where not very old boats(approx.6-8 yrs.old).This problem may not be indicative of all fountains,but I would have it checked out good.
Other then that ,I always heard good things about there ride and performance & quality.

[studlymandingo]

The fountain is a top-notch boat. That said, like with any older boat, it would need a very thorough inspection.

[dingbat]

Originally Posted by jeffhennessey

Yea the Nada guide has the boat listed at 17 to 19k without any goodies like radar, fish/depth finder, porta potti, t-top, etc..... Add in all the goodies and it comes out to between 20500 and 23k. I'm sure there would be some negotiating... Thanks for the heads up.

The NADA price of $17-19K is a bare hull without a motor. If the motor is the original 1996 motor then it's worth another $3.5 - $4K so they are effectively asking Blue Book for the boat which is suspicious in itself.

Get in surveyed and pay particular attention to the motor. An 11 year old boat with only 150 hours is suspicious, especially if totally decked out for fishing.

[jeffhennessey]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am in the process of having a Hydra Sport 2450 surveyed currently. It is turning out to be a very educational process. You would think that a professional boat dealer would have a boat ready to inspect if they went through all the trouble of posting an ad for it. Apparently thats not the case with the clown I am dealing with. Dead battery, bad starter, shoddy fiberglass repair, and still can't get the motor turned for a compression check. Shame you need to shell out $350 to find out you are considering a piece of junk......the price you pay to play the game. Better than dropping the 20k i guess..... Thanks again guys.

[tashasdaddy]

survey also ways an investment. $350 may save you $3500 or more.