You don't want a 32 with one engine now do you? If you must stick with one engine I'd go look at that Active Thunder. I absolutely love Formulas. Have had a 272 LS, 357 SR1 and two 400 SSs. Fit and finish is better than most on a Formula but they tend to be heavy and anything over 25' in a Formula will have two engines. Most of the older 242s and 233s had two engines as well.
Personally I'd rather have twin engines for manuverability and security. I can't remember how many times I have limped home on one engine. But, it got me home.

Yup agree. Go bigger and I'd go with twins. There will be a few single screw 30-32s out there but not Formula.

Formula FasTechs should be all 'glass with exception of the transom. Cannot go wrong with a Formula, but I agree that you'll get 2-foot-itis rather quickly. A 292 FasTech is a great boat with twin small blocks; fast and very maneuverable. Having twin engines makes slow-speed control and docking much easier, and if an engine gives up, you still have the option of crawling home (versus being towed).

A 27 Fountain Fever is small (no offense Fountain owners). Faster than the 271 by a good stretch but it can get cramped quick. Look out for rot in the transom and stringers.

Four Winns is a lake/river boat. Good boats but I wouldn't put them in the go-fast class - if a Liberator it's going to be older and have potential issues with rot. It may also have OMC power (very little parts support if any).

Post up some pics of what you're looking at!

No - Not Formula.
If the budget is there - just dive into a twin engine boat. The piece of mind having twins is comforting when taking long rides (I've limped home on one engine twice this year). Sh.t happens - it's nice to be able to get home without a tow.
Performance of a twin is way better. I've never been in a 29 with twins - that is likely a great combo.

I'm happy w/my 292. Twin 350s makes parts cheap and dock maneuvers 100x easier than a single. Also, we've come back to the dock on a single engine a number of times now... twins means not needing a tow in. (can't tow faster than I can go on a single anyway). I moved up from a single engine a few years ago. I'd never go back.

The 271 is a perfect lake boat. They are very stable and maneuver well at speed. It is light enough and powerful enough to use for waterskiing. You can trailer it with a half ton truck and change all 8 spark plugs in 15 minutes without having to dislocate a shoulder and both elbows. At 600 hrs I would want to see compression numbers but wouldn’t be surprised if they are good to go. I have seen BB mag motors running strong with north of 2000 hrs. Look closely at the exhaust and pull the drive drain plug if the seller will allow it. Insist on a full throttle run and watch the gauges. Good luck and definitely buy a Formula.

Go Formula, you’ll never look back. Great all around boat, speed - handling - fit/finish - and family/friend friendly. I agree with TomZ that the Fountain is a faster boat but definitely is more cramped.

I boat on the Great Lakes in a 22' boat. We make 160 mile round trip day cruises from north Lake St. Clair to Put-in-Bay. We run the St. Clair River up into Lake Huron. I've been on Lake Michigan 3 times. I can also use it on small inland lakes. Yes bigger is better and twins are better and I'd love to have a Donzi 38 ZR with 525s, a bigger truck to pull it with and a bigger garage to store it but it's not gonna happen. You can have a lot of fun in a single engine boat in the 24-27 foot range. Formula has a good reputation. A well maintained Baja would be a good first go-fast. Good luck on your hunt and welcome to OSO.

This is why you buy a Formula...because there is nothing else like it !!!!!

Are fastech's hull's really solid glass? No coring?