soldier4402

True that's my theory is the newest boat, lowest hours, for the best price. Kind of what Im trying to do is line up what I, so over the next year or so I know what to look for. As it sits I think im looking for late 90s early 00s but at the same time, not opposed to older that has been kept up.

soldier4402

What would be handy, does have the length and width measurements for the 292 and 291 cockpits. Would be nice if somebody could give those.

Splitdecision271

I would approximate the 292 cockpit to be 6'x6'. I love the bolsters, but they definitely take up a lot of room.

soldier4402

Me too. my only wish was they would swivel or least rotate 90 degrees, as when parked they become a waste of space as you can only face forward.

Splitdecision271

I have actually found that a comfy spot on my 292,when I have people on board hogging up the sun pad space, is sitting on the dash step with my back against the windshield frame and feet resting on top of the bolsters. This way I can still engage in the conversations going on behind me, plus I can see everything going on around me.

soldier4402

I guess another question on the formulas, haven't been or seen one in a while. On the fountain on the front bulk head the outside, to the right is the drivers spot, middle folding door, and to the left passenger area, really no logical or easy way to climb over the windshield to get to the front, usually means stepping over the windshield from the seat. Do the fastechs have a stepped cabin door or any other sort of steps, and what anchor lockers up front on the fastech or the sr1

Splitdecision271

The SR1s and Fastechs both have a step built into the passenger side dash. There is a storage compartment built in and the cover serves 3 purposes. 1) Lid 2) Mirror on the reverse side 3) step to climb up and over the windshield. I also have a step molded into the cockpit on the port side. I never have to step on the seats or helm. See picture below, look for the grooved panel to the left of the cup holder. You can also see the built in step right above the speaker. As for anchor storage, the SR1s do not have an anchor locker and only the 292s, 312s, and 353s came with an integrated anchor locker. Its small, not going to lie. I have to finesse my anchor in there but it does fit and definitely beats having to pull it out of the side cuddy storage or from under the rear bench every time. Yes it gets beat up inside there from the anchor moving around in rough water, but its an anchor locker.

soldier4402

Thanks for the info. Anchor was a pain on my old fountain. First had to dig it out, second somebody then had to climb over then anchor handed over and walked down. As long as an anchor can get in there. I think some of the newer as in late 90s fountains have the anchor locker.

What about swim steps on the formula.


Want to get back into performance but also want to make the wife happy and make my stress level on the simple things go down.

DRAG

When I was growing up I always dreamed of a beak. My old man had a Donzi and I always saw Fountain's on the lake and envied them from the time I was a little kid. I felt similar about a clean Formula but something about a Fountain grabbed me.

Now that I'm older things have changed and its mostly because out on my lake I go out there and there are 14 Fountains tied up together and several of my friends have them. A nice 353 or 382 Formula is rare where I am...especially a new one with good power in it. I know that is different on places like LOTO and out on the east coast where there are big Formula dealers. I've also come to appreciate Formula for their customer service and build quality. It's not million dollar custom boat rigging quality....but its pretty good and I've been happy with how my boat is built. I've never had the pleasure of having a Fountain...so honestly my opinion has no value

Splitdecision271

You mean like a swim ladder? On most Fastech models there is a compartment built into the swim platform which house a 3 step telescoping ladder. I also find it just as easy to step on tie bar on the outdrives and pull myself up using the grab handles . SR1s and some 1st gen fastech models had a fold out swim ladder mounted directly on the swim platform. I'm sure if you ask those who had them, many have stubbed a toe or 2 on them. The concealed swim ladder, to me at least along with the anchor locker, was one of the many reasons why I ended up going with my 292.