Boating

FOUNTAIN 34 SC

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The Fountain 34 SC represents the evolution of the center-console, from its fishing-machine origins to a high-performanc­e dayboat. This boat offers legendary Fountain performanc­e presented with the latest materials and constructi­on techniques. The result is a dayboat that can handle nasty chop, blaze to speeds over 60 mph, and look great doing it.

This boat rides a classic Fountain hull form: the Positive Lift double-step running surface, with a pad aft and a notched transom to set back the motors. Highdensit­y composite core forms the stringer grid and transom. The hull, liner and deck are bonded, tabbed and through-bolted. This boat feels solid as a rock on the water, albeit a fast rock.

The helm features a double high-back seat with armrests and individual flipup bolsters, which are shaped to form a cushioned leaning post when raised. The flat dash is covered in real carbon fiber, and our test boat featured dual 16-inch Garmin GPSMap 8616 multifunct­ion displays, plus a Mercury VesselView 502 display. The tilt wheel is to port, with the controls on the center of the helm. The console houses a head compartmen­t with entry to starboard, outfitted with a porcelain flushing head and freshwater sink.

Tri-color upholstery with a quilteddia­mond pattern covers all of the seating surfaces. There’s room for the entire posse on this Fountain, with a three-wide seat at the transom, the two-wide mezzanine, an extravagan­t contoured lounger forward of the console, and wraparound seating in the bow. The sole, transom and bow platforms and gunwales are covered in soft MarineMat material, in a pattern that matches the upholstery. There’s stowage in the sole, below the bow and aft seats, and in pull-out drawers in the console.

Our test boat raced to 64.8 mph with a pair of Mercury Verado 400 outboards on the transom, sliced through Biscayne Bay chop, and handled with predicable confidence. For more speed, you could option all the way up to triple Mercury Racing 450R outboards, a rig that Fountain says can get you to 86 mph. This is a center-console built for comfort and speed.

 ??  ?? Price: $441,650 (as tested)
SPECS: LOA: 34'2" BEAM: 9'6" DRAFT: 2'5" DRY WEIGHT: 13,500 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: Yacht Certified FUEL CAPACITY: 418 gal.
HOW WE TESTED: ENGINES: Twin Mercury Verado 400 DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Revolution 4 14.63" x 19" 4-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 140 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 430 lb.
Price: $441,650 (as tested) SPECS: LOA: 34'2" BEAM: 9'6" DRAFT: 2'5" DRY WEIGHT: 13,500 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: Yacht Certified FUEL CAPACITY: 418 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINES: Twin Mercury Verado 400 DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Revolution 4 14.63" x 19" 4-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 140 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 430 lb.
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