Formula reliability
04-20-2009 | 12:44 PM
#21
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Washington, MO
When i was looking at buying my boat I went to a dealer that had a 27 Fountain and a 27 Formula side by side. Both boats are nice .. Here is what i saw... Formula fuel capacity 105 gallons compared to 65 in Fountain.. Formula Dash is very modern with nice shapes and style. Fountain is a square aluminum panel that looks like it was designed by a school kid... No tilt wheel on Fountain and a butt ugly 1970's steering wheel... Fountain has a very small outside cabin... Fountain has a rediculous 3 piece cabin door with all exposed hinges and hardware. We all know how nice a Formula cabin door is.. The fountain glove box was made in pieces and had caulking slopped all over holding it together.. Formula glove box has a nice step and mirror. Formula has a glass windshield and Fountain uses Plexiglass that fades and checks up...Fountain is still built with wood and Formula only has wood in the Transom.. The positive about a Fountain was the hydraulic steering and mechanical indicators standard. I am all about the top speed, So it was a hard choice for me. I decided to Give up 3-4 miles an hour of top speed to have a much nicer boat. I believe Fountains are slightly faster because of the lack of fuel weight and missing comforts and style, and not so much the hull.. I have no rattles and nothing falling apart on my Fastech 271. Jeff Wurl
This is a very good summary! The wife and I went through the same comparison with the 29' Formula and Fountain at two boat shows prior to our Formula 292 purchase.
As far as reliability, these are both production boats and I think the build quality can be a little hit and miss. What sold us on the Formula after crawling around both boats mulitiple times is the quality 'feel', better ergonomics and more room. If you can, get yourself into both boats and see what you think.
I am into speed, and that will be addressed at some point
, but I did order the 292 with hydraulic steering, begged them to put K-Planes on (they wouldn't do it 
), so I had them installed after buying the boat. Fountain does that from the factory, so that's a plus.
04-20-2009 | 08:20 PM
#23
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From: Washington, MO
04-21-2009 | 06:21 AM
#24
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I can't imagine it being fun...I am not even looking forward to changing impellors or those way over engineered new fuel filters....
04-21-2009 | 06:25 AM
#25
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Eastern Lake Ontario
I cannot be convinced that gel holds up better than paint. I've just seen way too many clapped-out gel boats. The sun beats them to death and there's no denying that. It takes much less attention to keep paint looking good. Personally, I'll never own another boat with colored gel.
And, for you Pete, I've ridden in your Fountains. Nice, solid ride, appears to handle very nicely (never drove one), and fit and finish are very nice. I do like Fountains, just can't deal with the small, cramped feeling. Of course, you don't need as much space little guy!!!
And finally, for what it's worth, if Julie were to buy a go-faster on her own, it would be a Fountain. Nothing on the water has that low-in-the-stern, "slutty" look of a Fountain (Julie coined that one!!
)
04-21-2009 | 06:54 AM
#27
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From: Northern NY
[QUOTE=ThirdBird;28490000
And, for you Pete, I've ridden in your Fountains. Nice, solid ride, appears to handle very nicely (never drove one), and fit and finish are very nice. I do like Fountains, just can't deal with the small, cramped feeling. Of course, you don't need as much space little guy!!! And finally, for what it's worth, if Julie were to buy a go-faster on her own, it would be a Fountain. Nothing on the water has that low-in-the-stern, "slutty" look of a Fountain (Julie coined that one!!)[/QUOTE]
You tell Julie she's my kinda' girl.
And, for you Pete, I've ridden in your Fountains. Nice, solid ride, appears to handle very nicely (never drove one), and fit and finish are very nice. I do like Fountains, just can't deal with the small, cramped feeling. Of course, you don't need as much space little guy!!!
And finally, for what it's worth, if Julie were to buy a go-faster on her own, it would be a Fountain. Nothing on the water has that low-in-the-stern, "slutty" look of a Fountain (Julie coined that one!!)[/QUOTE]You tell Julie she's my kinda' girl.
04-21-2009 | 12:32 PM
#29
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,808
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From: Coastal North Carolina
I looked at a lot of boats in the 35'-38' range and talked to owners and mechanics before buying my 382. I voted with my wallet, and 9 years later, I'm a very happy camper.
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Retired! Boating full-time now.
Retired! Boating full-time now.
04-21-2009 | 01:33 PM
#30
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From: Washington, MO
I changed the impellers a couple weeks ago. Not too bad if you don't mind standing on your head for an afternoon!
The whole job is about a 12-packer. The second engine definitely went faster than the first. Here are the basic steps I took:1 - Pull blue plugs and drain system.
2 - Remove serpentine belt
3 - Remove idler pulley/bracket
4 - Remove two rear hose clamps and hoses
5 - Loosen Cool Fuel module (makes it easier to wiggle sea pump out)
6 - Remove the three bolts/nuts that secure sea pump bracket
7 - Remove sea pump/bracket assembly
8 - Swap out the impeller
Use liquid dishsoap as a lubricant. Getting the new impeller installed can be a b!tch. I used a large zip tie to collapse the fins on one end enough to get it started in the housing.
Changing the fuel filter is a piece of cake. Just three small bolts and the cartridge comes right out. Have fun!
