Fastech 292 Ride Characteristics
 

I'm starting to think about getting a bigger boat. The Fastech 292 is on the short list. I'd be looking at the '02 to '05 model years. I've heard that this boat can have a difficult time getting on plane with a full load of fuel and people, even with 6.2's. Is this true? I'd appreciate any comments from owners about their experiences with the 292.

Define FULL LOAD?

Yes it's true 292's are slow out of the whole to get onto plane but there are things to do that can help. Put the trim tabs all they way down out of the hole will lift the rear end as you come onto plane. Keep the watering tank full will add more weight up front to help. I've also have read something about removing the spacers on the outdrives to allow to you ower them more, but for planing only. I have a 292 with 350's, with 3 grown men on board the bow will rise briefly but only for a second or two then settles down. The ride though after that is great, for a 29 foot boat it's solid. 1-2 foot chop it just skims across the top of it like nothing.

A friend told me that with 6 adults on board and a full tank of gas, everyone but the captain had to go up front to get the boat on plane.

WOW - did that boat have trim tabs / K-planes? I remember those days from the past on other boats I had, but after twin blower motors that put an end to that no matter how many people on board.

But w/ twins on a 29' that is sorta sad if true. I'm guessing that it didn't have K-planes - adding those can help quite a bit over puny Bennets.

I don't know the answer to that. But, I'm glad to hear that it's fixable. I typically only boat with 2 - 4 people, anyway.

I'm still leaning toward the 292 because of the overall quality of the boat. However, I don't always like the color combos I see out there. Other choices are the 28ZX, 29 Fever w/twins, 31 Sonic, 32 Sunsation, or even a 312 Fastech. 32' is the limit, though.

Unfortunately the color combo's of the past were limited. Formula has now come to their sense and offers every color option on every model. Color combo's was a reason why I was so picky as well. I ended up finding an 02 model with the red, black, and blue color combo. Looks nice, especially sitting in the water.

Tabs down drives in get it moving then full throttle,they raise the bow up for a few seconds then plane off.Other than that they are a fun boat to run and will run strait most of the time.They do not like a side wind (rollers) coming from either the port or starboard though.
They are also not that bad on fuel for there size

I've owned an 02 292 and all I can say is that when I go back to a performance boat, I'll buy another one.

Plum,
I have an 2006 292 with 6.2's. Never have any problems getting on plane. I run labbed 28" pitch Bravos and the engines turn right at 5000 rpm top speed. Most I have had in the boat was 5 adults and 3 kids and full fuel. No problem planing. I changed the position of the trim-in limit spacers which helps (see link for explanation).

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...+limit+spacers

Since then I also had K-Planes installed. Planes out even better and the rough water ride is great!:D See link below for more.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...light=K-planes

IMO the 292 is a great all around boat. Small enough to trailer without too much trouble, but big enough to handle the rough water. Small blocks help in the gas department and she will still touch 70 mph. Lots of options down the road to improve that top speed!:cool-smiley-011: We also got the bimini option with full encloser and sleep on it when camping on the river. Good luck on your search!:ernaehrung004:

Great info. Thanks!

You're welcome! One other thing to note. The 292 generally likes to cruise above 35 mph. If you get around 30 mph the props will start to slip more and she likes to begin falling off plane. I have heard this is especially true with labbed props. Non-labbed are supposed to slip less at the slower speeds (I have no experience with non-labbed). Pic attached shows my slip numbers. I usually cruise 40+ mph. If you plan on pulling a skier or tube with a 28 Bravo, you must have K-Planes. Now 5-blade props may be a different story...

Either way, I highly recomend driving whatever you plan to buy so you know what to expect. Good luck!:cool-smiley-011:

Dave

Had mine out today for the first run of the season.Just had my props redone not labed just cleaned up and balanced seemed to come up on plane quicker and I had a full load of fuel.Really its not a big deal you just have to get used to them they are a great all around boat and have a lot of room for a 29

Is their a noticable diffirence in rides between a 292 and 311?
How about cockpit / cabin space?

I currently have a Cobalt and I am consitering a bigger boat that I can still trailer for overnighting with my kids and Formula is high on my list.

This discussion is about the newer 292 (Fastech). It's an overall smaller boat than the 292 SR1. So, are you asking about a 292 Fastech in comaprison to a 311 or a 292 SR1 in comparison to a 311?

I'm sorry, I miss spoke. I am asking about a Fastech 292 vs a Fastech 312.

Ahh, now we get it. Unfortunatley, I drive an old 311 so the new boat guys will have to pipe in on this.

I don't mean to take over the thread here but I should frame the rest of my question.

I understand that the 312 is two feet longer and 1000 lbs heavier than the 292. As some one above meantioned the 292 still runs almost 70 with small blocks. Considerring the cost of running a boat these days are you giving up much in the way of ride going from a 292 with small blocks to a 312 with big blocks?

Glad to hear some of us can get their boat out. They are actually talking about possible SNOW here today!:traurig001:
Good to hear about the prop improvement...

Your right, these characteristics are not a big deal and just take a little getting used to. IMO it is a great boat with a perfect balance of performance and comfort for a 29.

The 292 is a twin stepped hull which reduces drag so you can still run pretty good with small blocks.It will also run 60 in the ocean with (2 or 3 foot seas) trimmed properly any more it can be a handful but is fun to drive.I keep my boat on a lift so it is very easy to use and I use it a lot about 60 hrs a season on average about 40 gallons a weekend so small blocks do have there benefit.
Its really a great boat I like mine more the longer I have it

Expensive still thinking about the 42 lightning or sticking with the fastech.

I plan on having mine in the water this weekend. Had some issues with the title, bunch of BS, so I couldn't get it registered, but it should be arriving today, HOPEFULLY! Should be registerred Saturday morning and launched that afternoon. Can't wait to take her for a short cruise. Hopefully it will be nice this weekend.

Never wanted a 42 would like a 35 ICBM or 38 see what happens.................

Carefull what you say about the beak boats on here, they can get a little defensive. :D

Just trying to make the Formula section a little more exciting:D.Hey Split want to do an AC run Sunday????

Lets see if I can get the boat registered first. This will be my third attempt. I'm hoping third times a charm. I hear their calling for rain this weekend, possible. Don't know when I will bring the boat down the shore for the first time. Probably 4th of July weekend. I'll be sure to let you know, we can meet up somewhere.

hey Plum, thought you might like the name and color of this boat..

Ran my 292 in the NJPPBC Atlantic City poker run yesterday.Ran with the outside group (ocean) about 40 miles.Was supposed to be two foot seas but was more like 3 to 4 and choppy.She ran great and always flew level :drink:.Ran with the drives neutral with a little tab.Ran between 55 and 65 worked my azz off throttling but it was a lot of fun.Trimmed right this boat does not get the credit it deserves.It is defiantly a drivers boat

Sweet!! Sounds like a lot of fun. The roughest I had mine in was on Lake Erie, but I think the waves are a lot closer together than compared to an ocean chop. Are you running 28" labbed bravo props?

Man, I wish I was able to get mine out to get the feel of its ride charicteristics!!!

you should buy my 312, like new, jumps on plane with the k planes down, full of fuel and people. look in the classifieds, motivaded seller

Stock 28 bravos though I did have them cleaned up and balanced by a local prop guy this year.Did not gain any top end but mid range seems better

2004 292
 

Have a 04 292 w/ labbed 28's, took spacers out of trim cylinders-what a difference. Awesome boat for size, love ours just dont have time for it anymore with business and kids so I am selling it, e-mail if interested, [email protected]

With the river up, you should come down to the poker run at LOTO on July 12th. Finally got mine out of the shop and this weekend is the big weekend to see if the rest of her holds together :evilb:

Would love to but right now my rig is on the lift surrounded by A LOT of water. It will be a while before I can even get it off the river. What was yours in the shop for?

Nothing major just popped a freeze plug last winter, nearly frozen u joints, bad gimbal, shift cable.....like I said, nothing major :eek:

It's all a very long story