First "Go-Fast" Boat
 

Looking to purchase my first "go-fast" boat. I am looking to stay between 25-30ft with a single engine. I will be operating in fresh water only (Western NY Lakes, Lake Ontario). I'm looking at mid-late 90's builds. There are a few Baja's, a few Four Winn's and a one Foundation Fever 27 in my area but the one boat I have my heart set on is a 1999 Formula Fastech 271 with the 502mpi which has about 600hours. This boat is clean, fresh water only, never kept in a slip and indoor storage during the winter.

I am looking at the Formula Fastech 271 this weekend. What are some items I need to consider, look for, maintenance concerns, any insight on owning an older boat, etc.??

Welcome to OSO!
I recommend a survey, especially with boats getting that old. Transom and stringers can be rotten.
Upon your first inspection, the general condition will tell you a lot about how the boat was cared for.
Check for cleanliness of the engine compartment, if it's a mess, that's probably how the rest of it was maintained.
Make sure everything functions, all accessories and gauges. Water test is a must prior to handing over any cash!
Good luck and make a decision with the big head or you may end up with a project.

come ck out our 25 active thunder its awesome on lake ontario

I cant post pictures yet, too new. The boat is super clean for a 99

I had a 27 Fountain for a few years. It gets small quick. Skip that choice.

you only need 10 posts, so post away even if only a few words each

Always go bigger. If you are thinking 25-30 buy a 32. You won't regret it.

I would agree but I would only like one engine to deal wit

working on it 😁

do they make a 32ft with single engine?

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.

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

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

All good info.
I missed out on 1999 Formula Fastech 271 with the 502mpi. Couldn't get to the owner in time. Someone else picked it up.

Looking at a single for the ease of maintenance, simplicity and for the gas, if that makes any sense, we boat a lot at least 4-6days a week during the season.

Actually on the way to look at an 03 292 Fastech today... Price seems a little high ($58k) but that's a given these days

Looked at the boat. It's super clean, fresh water only. Twin 6.2 which are factory stock at 315 hours. Comes with trailer.

Low hours and fresh water are definitely pros!

Sounds like a good deal to me. The additional maintenance cost of twins will be partially offset by less chance of breaking a drive trying to plane out a big boat with a single. Fresh water only is a huge plus and the hours are very low. Take it for a test run.

Don't share any info on where the boat is lest someone snatch it out from under you!

Stock 6.2’s are pretty reliable engines. They won’t break the drives and if they’ve been serviced by the book, 315 hours is nothing. Bit more maintenance with twins but not as bad as big blocks. Economy is only marginally more with twins because the single 502 needs to work harder to produce the same performance. I’m a fan of a single engine but don’t be scared of twin 6.2’s.

Sounds like a nice boat, get it thoroughly surveyed before buying. Regarding price, you don’t want to pay way too much but remember, if it’s exactly what you want, the enjoyment will last a lot longer than the memory of the price. 🙂

RR

+1 on twin 6.2's. Not a fan of twin inboards, but they should be easier to work on and much cheaper parts as well. I mean for 1/2 the cost of new marine headers on a 500EFI or similar you could probably buy two sets of exhaust for the 6.2's. The gas is not 2X that of a big block, probably more like 1.2X that of a single big block.

Going back to the 271 with the 502 and even the 292. I wound drop down a pitch in the prop. I wound rather plane out faster, less stress on the drive. Then turning a big prop for highend. I'll gladly loose 5-10mph top speed to plane and get to cruising speed easier/faster.

We've all seen those loud ass boats, bow up dragging bottom leaving the sandbar. Only to plane out 45-60sec later 😁😁.

Yes!.... I'm near Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes. All fresh water boats around me.

Lose 5-10 MPH on the top-end??

You sure you really want a “go-fast” boat?

I haven't seen that.

lol. So true. Most of us are trying to squeeze out that last mile per hour or two!

Everyone will say that when they are looking for a boat. But once you get it and are used to it your mind will change. Then you will be asking how to get a little more speed out of it. Prop change, new tune, etc. I have had a number of boats in my time and was out of it for a while. When I bought the current one I said the same thing. Now like others have said I am dropping money in looking for the last couple of MPH. It's an addiction, so if you really want a Go-Fast boat buy one set up to Go Fast.:boat:

So what boat did we buy? :)

Unfortunately nothing yet. I am still eyeing that 02 292 Fastech. Long story short I close on the new house in Sept so I have to wait till after closing now. Wifey gets a house she wants, I get get a new boat : -)

I hope wifey’s new house has a big garage, don’t let it go empty. 🙂

No wood in the stringer grid. The transom has a wood core.

500 + horsepower motors that I previously owned are in a redone 292 sr1. Should be a really fast boat. ~$36k