Originally Posted by rak rua

Both great boats. Anything starting with an 'F' is fun.

I don't know the water conditions where you boat but regarding the two boats, Fountain should be quite a bit faster with similar power but Formula has a few more little amenities and bigger cabins. Also more freeboard on a Formula if that's important. Check how they measure overall length, I'm not sure with the Formula model you're looking at but Fountain measurements include the swim platform so allow maybe 18".

Don't know how experienced you are with boats but a marine survey is always a good idea, on older boats it's essential to check for moisture in stringers/transom area. Beyond that, buy the latest model lowest hour boat you can find in your budget, get an idea of the vendors integrity, there's always a bit of trust in any purchase so if you think you've got a real honest vendor that will help. Unless you're good with a shifter, standard engines will generally save you costly headaches over a custom build.

RR

Originally Posted by simpson8

I am not actually biased or stuck on any brand of boat. More focused on low hour engines or even a repowered boat with well maintained out drives. I do plan on getting the boat I decide on surveyed especially for the moisture and rot issues. I live in the hub of the Great Lakes. So would like a boat that handles 3-5 foot chop well. The wife and I plan on staying over night on the boat as well.

Originally Posted by simpson8

Thanks for the advice. Good with a shifter? Standard engines will save me costly headaches? Please explain.

Originally Posted by Sydwayz

Make sure you ride what you plan to purchase.

Windshield boats can be good and bad. While, they work well for some folks, because they are the proper height to look through the windshield...
..some folks are too tall, and the frame ends up in their primary field of view, OR if they taller the windshield sends the wind into their face. Windshields deflect the air diagonally, whereas boats with a fairing typically have flare that sends the wind upwards, and then back over the cockpit.

Also, the further the windshield or fairing/windscreen is from your face, the less it is going to do for you. Boats with loooooooooong dashes are not so good as the wind just wraps over and still smacks you in the face. The more wind you have to endure, the more your ears have to process the sound, and yes, this actually tires you out. My buddy's 30' Baja is a great boat, but a day out on that boat vs. a day out on my boat with a windscreen that is much closer to your face when driving is DRASTICALLY different.

Originally Posted by simpson8

Thanks for the advice. Good with a shifter? Standard engines will save me costly headaches? Please explain.

Originally Posted by simpson8

Thanks for the advice. Good with a shifter? Standard engines will save me costly headaches? Please explain.

Originally Posted by offshore312

I'm willing to bet he speaking of a "spanner" as they call it in the UK / "shifter" down under or a "spinning wrenches" here in the good ol USA.

BTW...

Rak Rua is an Aussie in Thailand, which is most likely 12 hours time zone difference from the Great Lakes area, which is probably why you have yet to see his response

Originally Posted by rak rua

Shifter, spanner, wrench........whatever!
One of those shiny silver things you use to tighten nuts and bolts. Sorry, Aussie vernacular.