cwhite

I'm new to power boats and I am looking at getting a 1996 29' fountain fever with 502MPI/415hp and bravo ones for lake Michigan and it is said to go about 80mph. I am looking to go 90+ is this boat capable of that with replacing the engines and drives. Also is this boat going to handle terrible at those speeds. I really don't want to get anything like a 38' because I don't want to have deal with something that big. If you guys could give me your input that would be great.

boatfreak

Lets see where should we start?
1st
You say you want a boat on Lake Michigan? Buy as big a boat as you can. A 29 is fine until the wind blows.
2nd
80 mph is fast enough in a 29 and you are going to dump a but load of money into making it go faster.
3rd and this is the best one
If you are new to this sport you have NO need for a 90+ mph boat. I may sound like you mother but you have to walk before you run and 90 mph is not walking.

cosmic12

if you are totly new to this than you don't need a 90 mph boat or even 80. to start with and i'm not bashing fountian but a 29 w/2 502s in what is really a 25 ft boat is nuts for your first boat. thats why the 29s are singles now they didn't work. for where you are I would want length at the chines. keep looking

Lofty

Here's our 29' with a pair of thumpers and Konrads'. She's 90++ easy with some left over. And just like these guys said, if you're new to HP boating this is the LAST boat you want to start with. Go buy something else and get your feet wet. 80+ is no F'n around and you'll have your hands full with a small fast v hull. Try a Donzi 22 Classic. GREAT boat to start out with and will go faster than you and your pasangers will want it to. Plus it won't break the bank.

Just my .02

88Fount33

Hey Lofty:

I've got the same model, what hp thumpers if you don't mind? I'm going with na 540's at about 550HP each and would like to see 80 if possible.

Very Nice Ride there, updated interior as well I see.

Jerry B

I have a 93 29 foot with twin 502 efi's. 75 mph is about as fast as it will go and if the water is very rough at all it's not fun or safe. At those speeds or higher in a 29 you better know what your doing.
Also wanted to know if this is about the right top end for this boat? All stock with 26pitch 4 blade props if anyone happens to know.

Jerry.

Wobble

A 29' fountain with twin big blocks has very low freeboard at the stern when not underway. I have watched 2-3 footers spashing up on the engine cover of a buddies 29 fountain.

Dont know Lake Michigan, but I have heard the water can get nasty in a hurry.

Just something to think about.

I would agree with the mid 70's number for speed.

88Fount33

The old 8.8 meter Fountain actually measures 30' 6". I boat in the Gulf and anchor off shore, have not had any waves even as high as the vents on the side of the hull which are 10" below the back of the boat. These hulls I am told are just 4" shorter than the modern 32 Ft.

Lofty

We re-rigged last year with Konrad PRS 540's and full hydraulic steering (helm too). The mills are 454 thumpers so 496 cid. We're getting just shy of 675hp. We're running in the mid 90's all day long or can prop up to run over that but why?

The boat is very stable at 80+ and takes the rough water just fine. It's a non-step flat transom 29'. If you park it beak to beak with a 32' they look identical with the exception that we don't have a 3' swim step. We run on the San Francisco Bay and Delta region. The Bay is big water but ours takes it just fine.

We also put in a new interior that was made for a 32'. Along with a new panel, guages, throttles, etc. etc.

We love this boat. Their are nicer, newer and much faster boats around I know but this one is paid for and does what we need it to.

88Fount33

Thanks!

Mine is paid for as well, but probably have high moisture in hull as survey before purchase 4 years ago did not include a moisture test, but when drilling transom for aluminum swim platform, all the through holes were dry. Redid interior as well, same color wheel from Fred, Gaffrig throttles and full Latham Hydraulic steering.