Actual Location: South Haven, MI
- Stock #[removed phone] - Professional and Empty Nest Couples - LOOK!I was excited to take this listing, as I have always had a secret envy for guys with deep pockets that can afford impractical "go fast boats". Once on board, my mind was opened to a completely new view of this boat, and I learned how "practical" this craft really is! Yes, I just used "practical" as a word to describe a 38' Fountain! This is a great boat, with all of the amenities of an express cruiser. The major difference between this and most 38' express cruisers is the beam is narrower, and there is no rear stateroom. However, this may well be the PERFECT BOAT for a young professional couple, or an "empty nest" couple! She is efficient, comfortable, and made to go out when most 38 express cruisers stay tied to the dock! If you have ever been on a conventional 38 footer in 3 to 5 foot swells, you understand what I am saying! The 38' Fountain hull is the base for the popular "Lighting" series of Fountain racing crafts. This hull is made to get on top of the water, and run from to swell to swell smoothly and efficiently, with little bounce, and great stability. The owners report she is actually faster in chop, than on calm water! And she burns less fuel in the chop! And about fuel consumption...this is a very efficient hull, being pushed by out drives and propellers designed to get every bit of available performance from the engines. Cruising at 45 mph (a speed that most express cruisers only dream of) finds this boat running easy, efficiently, and effortlessly. Add some chop to reduce drag, and it only gets better! Fountain produces high performance off shore vessels, and are legendary for hulls that knife through choppy seas with the ease and stability. When conventional 38 footers are reducing speed and lowering trim tabs to make the bow cut thru rough water, the Fountain hull does what it was made to do... Stay flat, and stay on top! So on those weekends when your neighbors stay tied to the dock, this Fountain will give you the freedom to get out and go! The fit and function of this craft makes a visual statement of ... Fit and Finish, Meets Style and Function, and is wrapped in a performance hull. The graphics somewhat date her, which is an easy fix. She has a top speed of 65, and cruises well at 45 MPH! Her speed and ability to handle chop make her a great fit for couples who just want "to get away" on their time table! This boat will get you there and back in half or less time than a "conventional" express cruiser, burn less fuel, provide a much wider window of "acceptable" weather conditions. The owner reports being able to "steer around" rain that pops up on the radar, and being able to "out run" storms! The only time he claims to have slowed was in 8 footers! And then, his claim was that he slowed down, and never felt threatened! The entire boat, both inside and out is well appointed, and presents an upscale appearance. The circular Fountain Logo are nearly impossible to miss, in the cabin, cockpit and the sides. This boat employes a pressurized holding tank system that vacates the head with the push of a button. The galley and cabin area feature 6' of head room. Indirect lighting enhances the richly appointed white ceilings side walls and cabinets. Like the rest of the cabin area, the ceiling is perfect! The cabin area is very private, and features climate control. This boat is equipped with a generator to keep the cabin area warm or cool, and provide that "just right" private area for couples to enjoy.The generous swim platform, swim ladder, and rear lounge covering the entire engine room invite boaters to take advantage of lonely stretches of beach. Another justification for my belief this is a great boat for a couple! The side by side helm bolsters feature chair cushions that raise and lower electrically! Again, perfect for couples! Let you mate steer, or play "throttle jockey", and just have a great time together!Take friends on a day trip, or to your favorite stretch of beach... In style, in comfort, and with more time to enjoy your destinations!This craft fits the life style of couples who enjoy luxury as well as high end fit and finish. My overall opinion.... Why didn't I look at one of these before buying my 36' express Live and learn!Please submit any and ALL offers - your offer may be accepted! Submit your offer today!At POP Yachts, we will always provide you with a TRUE representation of every vessel we market. We encourage all buyers to schedule a survey for an independent analysis. Any offer to purchase is ALWAYS subject to satisfactory survey results.Take a look at ALL ***175 PICTURES*** of this vessel, AND A VIDEO, on our main website at POPYACHTS DOT COM. Thank you for visiting and we look forward to speaking with you!To view original photos and more detailed vessel specifications, please visit this listing on our main website at:https://www.popyachts.com/boats-for-sale/fountain-38-sport-cruiser-52889
Accommodations:
A/C + Heat; Berth; Bimini Top; Cabin Lighting; Cabinets; Carpet; Countertops; Dinette; Fridge/freezer; Galley; Handbasin; Head; Headroom (6 Ft); Hot Water System; Pressurized Water System; Shower; Sink; Stove; Cabin Heat; Engine Cooling; Power Engine Hatch; Radar Arch; Vent System
Mechanical Equipment:
Bilge Blower; Engine Cylinders (8); Engine Room; Engine Room Lighting; GPS; Hand Rails; Holding Tanks; Lower Unit; Pop Up Cleats; Radar Arch/mast
Electronics & Navigation Gear:
Arch; Compass; Fuel Gauge; GPS; GPS Antennae; Radar; Radio Antenna; Speedometer; Stereo; Tachometer
Electrical System:
110v AC Outlets; 12 V DC Outlets; 4 Switch Circuit Breaker; AC Electric Panel; Accessory Switches; Alternator; Amplifier; Battery Charger; Battery Location; Battery Switch; Circuit Breaker Panel; Cockpit Lighting; Electric Engine Hatch; Engine Room Lighting; Fuel Gauge; Fuse Panel; Gauges; Generator; GPS Speedometer; Horn; Oil Pressure Gauge; Ship's Power (12v DC); Shore Power; Shore Power (110v. AC; Speakers; Speedometer; Stereo; Tachometer; Trim Indicator; Volt Meter; Water Heater
Deck & Hull Equipment:
Aft Deck Sun Pad; Anchor; Anchor Locker; Bimini; Boathook; Bolster Seat (Twin); Cockpit Carpet; Cockpit Cover; Cockpit Seating; Engine Covers; Fenders; Pop-up Cleats; Rub Rails; Sun Pad; Swim Ladder; Swim Platform; Thru-bolted SS Cleats; Transom Shower; AM/FM Ship Shore Radio; Bilge Pump; Carbon Monoxide Detector; Fenders; Fire Extinguisher
Additional Equipment:
This boat is 4.6 on a scale of 0 to 5, with 5 being ?show room? or Bristol condition. This opinion takes into consideration the age of the boat, it's use, how it presents, and very importantly, the attitude of the owners toward this craft. This is an extremely well cared for Fountain 38 Sports Cruiser. My initial impression is a beautiful boat, especially considering it's age.
The rub rails through the years have accomplished their goals, and show very minor signs of use. The top, sides and bottom of this boat are well kept and polished! The owners claims of the boat being polished and waxed annually are substantiated in the bright gloss and excellent shine of the fiberglass and gel coat! The only imperfections are a minor spot of abrasion on the swim platform, and minor issues with some of the graphics. All of these are photo documented. Otherwise, this boat is spotless!
My reasoning for not giving a perfect score is the padded lounge over the engine covers is showing it's age, and is in need of replacing! The same can be said for the rear bolster couch. Again, all of this is photo documented. The trailer tires may be original, and consideration should be given to replacement. The left fender has sustained some damage, has been straightened and is functional.
The engine room is spotless! The cabin is spotless! The carpets are in excellent condition! This is a well maintained, and well cared for boat! It is primarily used by a father and son for overnight trips on Lake Michigan, with occasional afternoon outings with the gals! It is not unusual for father and son to venture to destinations hundreds of miles away on a weekend trip! 200 miles is about 4 hours at comfortable, efficient, cruising speeds. 3 hours at wide open throttle!
What is not shown in the photos is the ?hidden? work that has been performed on this boat... The stringers and cabin floor lost their integrity, and were professionally replaced. The stringers were replaced with laminated mahogany and reinforced with layers of fiberglass. The owner was very particular about choosing the shop to perform this work and finally settled on a very well know (in this area) repair facility of excellent reputation. The cost of this repair was significant. The owner has an inch plus thick file folder of receipts, records, and logs of work done to this boat. The owner enjoys, and take on the tasks of oil changes, out-drive lube changes, and other minor annual maintenance.
Inside the boat is beautiful, well cared for and meticulously maintained. There was no area inside the salon, head or staterooms that required a wipe down before taking the photos. Inside, this boat is spotless! The fit and finish is truly Fountain! As I moved through this boat, I had visions of Reggie Fountain giving it the ?once over? before it left his facility! Richly appointed in white and dark gray the leather is without blemish, wear, or defect. The trim is mostly chrome, with dark smoked glass accenting and setting off the colors! Gray carpet, and perfect white headliner, and indirect lighting finishes this perfect package! The carpets were fresh, and showed no signs of wear, discoloration, or any type of dirt or dust. This is truly a boat that makes you want to remove your shoes before boarding!
The cockpit and outside area feature a mooring cover, which doubles as a trailing cover. There are a few snaps that need to be replaced, but otherwise this cover seems in good shape.
Subtle ?nice touches? include matching throw pillows complete with the Fountain logos, and a large logo in the center of front berth.
The cockpit and helm area of this boat is extremely functional, and comfortable! The helm features twin electric bolster seats that allow either sitting or standing comfortably. There is a third after market helm seat that makes for 3 across front seating. The cockpit feature a generous bolster couch, large enough for 3 adults. There are functional steps to get over the venturi windshield that allows easy passage from the helm to the front deck area.
There is also a bimini top that is not shown in the photos.
Mechanically, the vessel is very clean, and well cared for. The bilge and engine areas are clean, free of dirt, dust, grease or mechanical residue. The engine compartment was spotless The boat was out of the water, on it's trailer and winterized when I visited.
This boat looks like it is wiped down upon being put back on the trailer.... The sides, bottom, and out drives have no spots or hard water residue.
The owner of this boat suffers from chronic health issues, and is no longer able to use this boat. His father, a retired naval officer and physician is retired. This father and son team delights in talking about this boat, and the great times they have shared aboard her! After purchasing this vessel, one wife described this boat as ?quite the tug?...... On the first outing, the two couples assisted a neighbor who's yacht had succumbed to engine issues on the water. This ?tug? gave the neighbor a tow, and the name ?Tug? seemed fitting. The first name, which for privacy reasons I have covered over in all of the photos, is a nick name the owner received before he could walk!
This is a well cared for boat one owner boat that has been professionally maintained and service, and is a great find for some lucky new owner!
***NOTE**** Regarding Starboard Drive Lower Unit, sell has no recollection of why the drive is missing the piece of aluminum. He did explain the PORT drive was replace after being damaged by underwater debris, but has no recollection of damage to the the starboard drive.
Engine(s):
Fuel Type: Diesel
Engine Type: Other
Quantity: 2
Beam: 8 ft. 6 in.
Fuel tank capacity: 250
Water tank capacity: 40
Holding tank capacity: 20
Speed max: 65
