Kind Words for Baja (Fountain)
Moving Towards Family-Oriented Boats (Fountain)
Reggie Fountain Interview Part 1 (Fountain)
Reggie Fountain Interview Part 2 (Fountain)
Reggie Fountain Interview Part 3 (Fountain)
Reggie Fountain Interview Part 4 (Fountain)
A Fast Fishing Machine Captain's Report
A Boat That Stands Up To Her NameIn the highly competitive world of tournament sport fishing, there are a lot of manufacturers that claim that their product provides the fastest, smoothest and most stable fishing platform in the industry. Until now, I have not been able to find a boat with a hull design based on four decades of offshore racing development and implementation. All the Fountain fish boats not only make this claim but also can prove it via a sea trial. They also have been dominating the SKA world championship scene. Our test boat is the popular 31 Sport Edition. This boat was developed for serious anglers who want all the benefits that championship blue-water fishing has to offer. This is the flagship that started Fountain in the fishing boat market. It has earned its reputation by providing one of the most stable rides that I’ve ever found in a center console boat. One of the most significant improvements that the Sport Edition offers over her siblings, is the wonderful comfort provided by the side-by-side, electric drop bolster seats. This simple addition gives you the ultimate support when the water gets rough, and will keep you fishing longer. The race inspired helm station has top-of-the-line Gaffrig controls and gauges. Drive and trim switches are within easy reach, and the throttles and shifters are located to the right, which is unlike the typical Fountain helm. Although totally functional for storage, I was not crazy about the electronics’ box, simply because the doors rest on the helm station panel when open, and bang around when underway.The Fountain performance truly has to be experienced to be appreciated. Even though the current model does not include the positive lift bottom design, the pad keel and notched transom are standard. (I expect the air-entrapment hull will be in production soon, as this technology provides additional running speed performance without compromising handling.) Another aspect that I really liked was the huge casting platform at the bow. The elevated platform is roomy enough for several anglers and the molded non-skid deck provides for confident footing. Below deck is a cozy cabin that houses a porta-potti and two bunks with enough room to catch a few zzz’s. Storage is a necessity on a fishing boat, and there never seems to be enough of it. Fountain has incorporated lots of storage space on the 31 for both gear and your catches. Rod holders are everywhere on deck, including the gunwales and the cabin. I found a total of 3 large fish boxes, two forward and one aft. All were self draining and large enough for the big one that didn’t get away. Two of the boxes are in the sole and the third is located forward of the center console and just under the forward bench seat. This box was the largest and was the most difficult for me to open due to its complicated securing hardware. This is typically not what a person wants with cold, wet hands.The transom is well utilized on the 31 by incorporating two small, self draining, boxes top side that are complimented by the massive 50-gallon recirculating livewell to center. Adjacent to the livewell are port and starboard aft bench seats that conceal batteries and the pumps for the drives and tabs. All of this is neatly configured for efficiency and easy cleaning. I also liked the beam width swim platform that provides us divers and swimmers a spot for entry and exit without wrestling around the outboards. By Capt. Ron SvobodaTest CaptainTest Result Highlights
- Top speed for the Fountain 31 Sport Edition is 57.3 mph (92.2 kph), burning 48.0 gallons per hour (gph) or 181.68 liters per hour (lph).
- Best cruise for the Fountain 31 Sport Edition is 29.9 mph (48.1 kph), and the boat gets 2.53 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.08 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 472 miles (759.61 kilometers).
- Tested power is 2 x 225-hp Mercury OptiMax outboards.
Standard and Optional Features
Systems
| CD Stereo | Standard |
|---|---|
| Dripless Shaft Seals | Standard |
| Head: Portable | Standard |
| Power Steering | Standard |
| Trim Tabs | Standard |
Exterior Features
| Ice Chest | Standard |
|---|
Warranty
Full Warranty Information on this brand coming soon!
(It's quick and FREE!)
Member Log In
Join BoatTEST.com as a FREE Member.
You will also get access to our videos and test numbers, the weekly newsletter, access to our comparison feature and much more.
Member Log In