Newbie Help...
 

Searching for our first go fast and came accross this in the classified section.

Give me the good, bad and I should stay away from because...

http://lakecumberlandmarine.com/2004...ech-pre-owned/

Twin 5.0's?? Just throw the old skater motors in there Jim....

Agreed. 5.0's are a 260hp motor. IMO it's under powered.

The 5.0s is why that boat is still for sale.

Thanks - I guess that explains the low price...

Hang on there --

What you need to do is consider is how will you use the boat????-- just cruising- pulling skiers/tube??

-- Yes I do agree with everyone that "Speed does something to you"- what you use the boat for will determine what kind of horsepower you need. Also, I don't have a monster boat/engine - 454MPI Bravo 3 -- but I will tell you that fuel costs can add up and for some that alone can take the pleasure out of boating - so this is another thing you may want to think about. Insurance can be another factor. And if you don't "wrench" yourself repair costs can be out of this world.

Just because it doesn't have some monster engine may not be too bad a deal.

this is just my opinions

3pointstar

No tubing, skiing... Cruising mostly, but don't want past by a jet ski though...

I hear you loud and clear -- I also apologize - I didn't see that this was a 29 ft boat -- that is one large boat and 520 hp total horsepower is rather low for such a heavy boat. You ALWAYS want to have more hp than you typically use -

When we first got our boat a jet ski came along side and wanted to race - my son looked at me and I at him- I said what the heck - Now we have 226 Cobalt with 7.4mpi and a Bravo 3-- this is NOT a performance boat - but we can routinely hit 63 mph with a 1/2 tank of fuel - We went by this jet ski as if he was standing still -- other boats on our lake have attempted to race us and there is only one - jerk- in a bass boat that is somewhat competitive (I think he has something like a 300 OB Merc) in the straights- as soon as you need to hit a wave or turn-- he's history- no hull stability at all.

All the best in your boat hunting-- depending on your choice - MAKE SURE YOU GET A SURVEY DONE - or an independent mechanic give it a once over. The condition of the bilge and outdrive will speak volumes how well the boat has been cared for. Remember in God we trust -- everyone else - bring me the data!!!

3pointstar

Boat is "base" powered = low price.

some jet skis are running in the 70's, so you should look for a boat that will run in the 80's if you really mean that.

There is nothing wrong with the 5.0s other than the fact they have less horsepower. It should still be a low 60s mph boat and looks really clean. If you are okay with a little less power then it looks like a good deal.

Is there anything to "juice" these engines up or would it be a waste of $$?

Technically yes, but realistically no. If you already owned the boat, your best bet would be to take the engines out and sell them and put in some take out 6.2s. At this point just find one with 6.2s and avoid that hassle. Enjoy the shopping, money talks in this market and there are a lot of good deals around.

For cumberland, which is my home lake, I'd say no bueno. That's a heavy hull for sub 600hp...

1. Sun pad looks roasted.
2. Engines look rusty.
3. ground block on pic 17 lower right is very green. maybe heavy salt use with out proper care and wash down, maybe partial submersion.
4. 5.0's are going to be a dog.

I would pass...

For 45k you can get into a nice 292 with 350's or 6.2's. Dont let the 350's scare you away from the 6.2's. There really isnt that much difference, maybe 2 mph strung out.

you can expect to get 800 to 1200 hrs out of the sbc's with proper maintenance and they run well for what they are.

A cardboard bustle will have that boat to supercat cove in no time flat.

I was in your shoes once, as were all of us on here at one point. So I'll give you 2 ways you could look at it and share from my experience what I know and what I went through and how I ended up making my decision.

1st way to look at it would be to take our advice from experience and stay away from it. I have 5.7 350s in my 292, rated at 300hp. She is an upper 67-68 mph boat all day long. Best was 70.8 in absolute perfect conditions. I absolutely love my boat, but I'll honestly say, I think she's a bit underpowered. I wouldn't want anything less motor wise, so the 5.0s I personally would stay away from. The 6.2s at 320hp are the right motors for that boat. Anything larger you don't have any room left in the engine compartment. The Scorpion motors work too, but you got to make sure you have k-planes and hydraulic steering on her as it's almost too much motor for that boat without those features and both were not available options from the factory.

2nd way to look at its similar to what 3point mentioned, it really comes down to what you want and expect out of the boat. I wasn't going to be entering any offshore races with her. I had no plans of tubing or skiing from her. I was simply looking for a clean, solid, reliable, unmolested Formula that could get me from point A to point B safely that I could lounge on all day comfortably. She was the cleanest 292 I had looked at and being she only had 60hrs on the motors its understandably why she was in such good shape. So I was willing to sacrifice the 6.2s for the 5.7s because the hours were so low and the overall condition of the boat was unbelievable. My 292 was my first boat and I was 23 at the time, so finding insurance was difficult enough for me on this one. I couldn't imaging how it would have been had I had any more power in her. Now, I actually used the fact that she had smaller motors as a bargaining tool to bring the price down to what I was willing to pay. So even though we all may be telling you it's underpowered, it still might be worth a visit and sea trial to see for yourself firsthand. Maybe you can work out an even better deal. The bare bones of the boat is still the same as every other 292 out there. You got the same cabin, same sun pad, same cockpit, same everything. You'll still be getting everything all the 292 owners have just with less power, but potentially at a much lower price too.

Where are you located in PA? I'm in the Harrisburg area.

I'm 30min outside Philly.

20 with no traffic

I had a 03 292 with the 6.2's I would not consider the 5.0's just my 2 cents

I had a 272 sr1. Same length hull as that 292. It had smallblocks. 350s at the time were only 260-270. It wasn't a speed demon at 58 most days but I never felt it was underpowered. Boat ran good. This 292 is stepped and therefore should have a few more mph. I loved my formula but if all out mph is what you're after formula is the wrong hull.

boat has been for sale for a while here there and everywhere, its early, if 40k is your budget find a 312 with 454/385 or the 502's, that money will also find u a 6.2's 292, be patient its early I will post them as I c them, and I see most just ask anyone on here LOL

lets start here, 350's and World Champion graphics, ya the 6.2's would be better but those graphics are sweet

If you are from Pa then maybe you should give Chip or John a call at Comstock in Brick, NJ I think they have a couple fastechs in stock.

http://www.comstockyachtsales.com/Pa...2-FasTech.aspx

6.2s and not bad graphics.

http://www.boats.com/boat-details/Fo...tech/154197681

Sorry there was sposed to be a link above, check out Atlanta craigs

no trailer and 700 hours = Move along.