Fountain 39NX (2021-)

Brief Summary

The 39NX from Fountain Powerboats is a multi-purpose center console that can head offshore to fish and has more seating and amenities for cruising. She even has a cabin and porcelain head for overnighting.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	39' 11.88 m
Beam	11'3" 3.43 m
Dry Weight	16,000 lbs. 7,257 kg
Tested Weight	18,713 lbs. 8,488 kg
Draft	28" 71.12 cm
Deadrise/Transom	20.8°
Bridge Clearance	98" 248.92 cm
Fuel Capacity	465 gallons 1,760 L
Water Capacity	50 gallons 189 L
Total Weight	18,713 lbs. 8,488 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	5.6 seconds
0 to 30	12.6 seconds
Props	14.5 x 25
Load	2 persons; 75% fuel; 50% water; 50 lbs. gear
Climate	64 deg.; 32 humid; winds: 5-10; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	3 x 450-hp Mercury Racing
Std. Power	3 x 350-hp Mercury Verado
Opt. Power	3 x 450-hp Mercury Racing

Captain's Report

Report by Eric Colby

Mission Statement

Fountain designed the 39NX for an owner who enjoys myriad on-the-water activities. With her proven stepped bottom and triple outboard engines, she can head offshore after fish and run with the pack in a poker run. For cruising, she has facing lounges in the cockpit and a choice of seating options in the bow. In the cabin, there’s a private head and a berth.

Fountain 39NX Major Features

• Triple outboards ranging from 900 hp to 1,350 hp combined.
• Super Positive Lift twin-stepped bottom
• Hullside door w/reboarding ladder
• Console w/private cabin
• Booth-style cockpit seating
• Chaise lounge on console front

Fountain 39NX Performance

The Numbers. The 39NX has an LOA of 39’ (11.89 m), a beam of 11’3” (3.43 m) and a draft of 28” (71.12 cm).  With an empty weight of 16,000 lbs. (7,257 kg), 75 percent fuel, 50 percent water and 2 people onboard, we had an estimated test weight of 18,713 lbs. (8,488 kg). With triple 450-hp Mercury Racing engines turning 14.5” x 25” (36.83 cm x 63.50 cm) props and run up to 6450 rpm, our speed topped out at 80.1 mph. Dialing back to 4000 rpm and 44.4 mph, we measured a best cruise with a 48.6 gph fuel burn that translated into .9 mpg and a range of 383 statute miles with 10 percent of the boat’s 465-gallon (1,703.44-L) fuel capacity in reserve.

She’s not only fast, but she’s also quick. Pin the throttles and the 39NX planes in an average of 5.6 seconds. She sprints through 20 mph in 8.2 seconds, continues through 30 in 12.6, 40 in 16.5 and 50 mph in 21.1 seconds.  Once on plane, she’s appropriately sensitive to trim, so quick taps on the tab buttons are the best approach to take. Wait to see how each adjustment affects the running attitude before making another. Engine trim is another matter. Bring them up to about half on the trim indicator and the captain can feel a push from the added acceleration. To eke out another mph, add just a touch more positive trim to the center engine.

Handling. At about half throttle, go ahead and put the 39NX into a hard turn. Crank over hard enough, and she’ll heel over to the point where the rub rail will reach the water. No one other than a test driver would ever need, or want to attempt, but it can complete the move if an unexpected evasive maneuver is required. In more docile turns, there’s no prop ventilation and our test boat held its line through sweeping arcs. At higher speeds, slow down when coming into chop. Ease back on the throttles and she skips right over, staying level and maintaining her speed.

Fountain 39NX Features Inspection

The Stern. Fountain set up the 39NX for easy boarding with the swim platforms designed to be at the same level as a dock. The aft section of the platforms are left open so a person can just step aboard. The platforms extend aft alongside the motors on each side and there’s ample space to pass between the engines and the transom. Utility and freshwater connections are on the transom and gates on each side open and stay in position with magnetic latches to provide entry into the cockpit.

The Cockpit. It’s a short step down into the cockpit and one of the first things we noticed was the oversized deck drains in the aft corners of the deck. They measured 4 ½” x 9” (11.43 cm x 22.86 cm) compared to the usual 2” (5.08 cm) diameter units we see in boats in class. The forward-facing aft bench seat measures 73” (185.42 cm), while the opposing aft-facing loveseat is 56” (142.24 cm) wide. Each has storage in the base and a large hatch in the deck opens to provide access to the mechanical accessories, including the bilge and macerator pumps and the three fuel-water separators. Two of these are in easy reach, but one is tucked away in the aft port corner and could be difficult to service. Coaming pads run the length of the cockpit and there are JL audio speakers in the gunwale on each side. Underfoot, our test boat’s walking surfaces were covered in SeaDek foam mat.

The Leaning Post. Moving forward, the captain and a companion travel in high-backed seats that have foldup bolsters and articulating armrests. Because the dash comes up rather high, the helm standing area is raised 3” (7.62 cm) off the boats’ deck and there are two angled footrests ahead on the console. The frame for the helm seats and the console are finished in a black powder-coating that repels heat and the all support a substantial fiberglass hardtop that includes LED spreader and courtesy lights as well as JL Audio speakers. Aft on the underside is a crank for raising and lowering the 39NX’s anchor light. In the seat base to port, there’s storage for tackle boxes and drawers and another hatch on the opposite side opens to reveal a variety of drawers. A hatch on the front of the base pulls aside to reveal a battery. In deck on each side of the console are insulated, macerated fishboxes.

The Helm The 39NX’s helm has the steering wheel to port and a centrally positioned compass atop the panel. We’d rather have the two in-line. In the vertical electronics flat, our test model had two Garmin 16” (40.64cm) multifunction displays flanking the control head for the JL Audio stereo. Accessory switches that illuminate when activated are in a single row at the base of the panel. Fountain positions the Mercury VesselView display just ahead of the steering wheel, which is on a tilt base and has a spinner knob. The indicators for the trim tab are to the left of the wheel. To the right are the Mercury digital engine controls with the trim tab buttons just ahead so the driver can make adjustments with his throttling hand. The docking joystick is to right with the VHF radio farther outboard. Just below is a small glovebox and overhead in the hardtop is an electronics box.

The Console Exiting the helm, the width between the console and the coaming pad is 20” (50.8cm). In the port side of the console, a pocket door opens the private cabin that has a berth that measures 73” x 53” (185.42cm x 134.62cm). Standing headroom is 7’3” (2.21m) and there’s 24” (60.96cm) of clearance above the berth. Opening screened ports let in fresh air. Aft there’s a mirror facing the doorway, a sink and a porcelain toilet. The circuit breaker and battery-switch panel is in reach from the doorway and just below is a locker with shelving.

The Bow. On the front of the console, we may have found what we thought will be the most coveted seat on the 39NX. The doublewide chaise-style lounge is 50” (127 cm) long and has flip-up armrests. Outboard on each side are molded coolers with clear acrylic tops that can be converted to livewells. There’s 13” (33.02 cm) of passage space between them and the console lounge. The fronts of the coolers create natural backrests for the bow lounges and the bolster wraps around the entire area. A grabrail also encircles the area just below deck level and there’s a socket for an optional table. On the foredeck, there are two pull-up cleats and the boat comes standard with a windlass beneath a hinged hatch.

Fountain 39NX Base Retail Price

With triple Mercury Racing 400R outboards: $550,000

Options To Consider (Not discussed in report)

• Bow Thruster
• Cockpit galley w/refrigerator, freezer, grill and sink (replaces rear-facing seat)
• Reverso engine-flushing system
• SureShade electric retractable awning
• Tackle center/bait station w/twin pressurized livewells (replaces aft bench seat)
• Garmin autopilot GHC20
• Gemlux BA-12 Base 16’ (4.88 m) or 18’ (5.49 m) outriggers
• Taco GS 280 Base 18’ (5.49 m) or 20’ (6.1 m) outriggers

Observations

With the triple Mercury Racing 450Rs, the 39NX is not a boat for first-time operators, but for a driver with some seat time in a performance boat, the learning curve is a short one. Her 80.1 mph top speed is to be respected, and it makes the boat a thrill to drive. She is ready to serve as the headquarters for many activities with plenty of space to move about for fishing and seating for family and friends to enjoy the ride during a poker run or to simply relax on a leisurely cruise.