April 05, 2012
By Florida Sportsman
Fountain Powerboats 38 Center Console
The 38-foot open center console Fountain is ready to do battle with the top SKA professionals or make a long run short any where you want to fish. A big offshore center console, we caught a ride on the Woodsman Kitchen and Floors sponsored SKA Pro-Tour boat with professional angler Richard Stone at the helm. The open boat has the great advantage of being able to fight a fish all the way around the boat and throwing a castnet from the raised deck forward.
Richards' boat is hull #3 and is fished offshore for wahoo and marlin as well as the SKA events.
WOODSMAN is powered by triple 275 Mercury Verados and carries 450 gallons of fuel. The triples are far enough apart that the boat will respond to the shifts while docking. Offshore the boat was fast, as one would expect, running just over 70 MPH. What I didn't expect was that the boat was totally under control with Richard at the helm with no chine walking or other bad handling characteristics. If you have the need for speed, check it out.
SPECS
Length:37'11"
Beam: 10'6"
Draft w/engines up: 24"
Fuel: 287 gallons
Fountain Powerboats
1653 Whichards Beach Road
Washington, NC 27889
www.fountainpowerboats.com
Triple power and myriad rodholders; the fountain 38 is designed to run and gun with the big boys of the tournament circuits. |
Fifty-gallon livewell. Clear lid lets you look in on them without disturbing anyone. |
Transom bait prep sink. |
10½–foot beam leaves lots of room between padded gunnels and the console to chase fish to the bow and back. |
No shortage of in-deck fish boxes... |
...or out of the way rod storage. |
Padded gunnels and recessed rails cut down on thigh bruises. Lots of under-gunnel racks for quick access to long tournament kingfish gaffs. |
Triple outboards require myriad gauges and switches—but large console electronics box easily houses widescreen electronics and communications gear. |
Impossible to have too many rodholders. |
With 70 mph speed capabilities, most stuff is behind you. |
Vacuum flush toilet and freshwater shower cut down on pit stops. |
Knife-like entry a necessity at high speed. |
A crew of six doesn't appear to overcrowd her. |
