Fountain Powerboats of Washington, NC, unveiled its new 43 SCX center console today during the opening hours of the Miami International Boat Show. The boat features the same hull as Fountain's 38 NX, which debuted in late 2018, with an all-new interior and a 12' beam. This first production model in Miami is equipped with four Mercury Racing 500R outboards, although it may also be ordered with five of the engines. A 43 Tournament edition for sportfisherman will also be available.

"The NX version wasn't as sporty," explains Fountain chief operating officer Jeff Harris. "It didn't have the all the right appointments. So we redid the deck so it would have a new interior, including a double row of bolster seats. The design is based on our 38 SCX that Reggie Fountain developed back in 2000, so it's a longer and wider version of that design."

Instead of the acrylic windshield of the NX, the SCX has an all-glass windshield, so you can put a windshield wiper blade on it. It also features an integrated top, refined cabin appointments, and a forward bow table/lounger that goes up and down. "It's an absolutelly phenomenal riding hull," Harris says. "It runs pretty sporty—around 87 mph or so. And it holds about 475 gallons of fuel."

Other notable features of the Fountain 43 SCX include an anchor locker with windlass on the bow of the boat, large loveseat lounge in front of the helm, and a roomy cabin with large berth, sink, flush toilet, standup shower, etc. At the helm, there are three bolsters with adjustable cushions and three large Garmin screens on the dash. Immediately behind the front row of bolsters is a second row ideal for two additional passengers.

"They've only run the boat one time, so they haven't decided which propellers they're going to run," says Speedboat test driver Bob Teague. "But they've done an excellent job installing the motors. It's got Mercury Racing hydraulic steering with rams on the two outside motors, while the the two inside motors are steered by the tiebar. They have also included a nice fold-out ladder on the starboard-side door that provides a great way to get back in the boat. The fit and finish is pretty darn nice. Fountain put a lot of thought into this boat. I'm pretty impressed."

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