Bob ,why not buy used for a lot less money? there is alot of used boats with low hours cheap ,the 29 has 1foot more cockpit space ,little more enjin space and cabin space,its gets on plane better holds alot more gas your gona want a biger boat soon after anyway.

I would consider one a year maybe two old so i could get at least 3 year on warranty. I no nothing about engines and becuase of a past experience i will not buy without warranty. All the 1 to 2 year old boats ive seen want just as much if not more then new ones I been considering. I've found a couple 05 04 brand new (5+ yr warranty) at deep discounts. TX for the post

Bob I had 99 27 hp500 it ran 75 was a little hard to get on plane with a load . "as in my fat buddies" a friend has 04 29 w 525 it runs 78 seems to get on plane better.big dif in room in cock pit I liked his better,plus I ran out of gas. 4 months later I bought 2000 38 lightning.your gona love it either way!!

I think I'm gonna see if I can find a dealer with both in stock so I can see them together maybe take ride.. Hate to waste 2 dealers time and one gets screwed. I'm sure I'll like the 29 better but 15 k can buy alot of gas

The small gas tank in the 27's is to small! 63gals goes very fast.

I had a 27, now a 32. Both have the same cockpit size, smaller than the 29's. Not very user friendly especially if you have another couple on board.

Bought a 2003 27' w/ 496HO new, now have a 2000 38'. Loved the 27', but agree with the posts above regarding (1) cockpit too small, (2) gas tank too small, (3) slower than 29' with same power, (4) not as good in the rough as the 29', (5) 29' seems more "balanced" (i.e. not azz heavy) and seems to get on plane easier. Both are good boats, but I would suggest the 29' if you can afford it. Also agree that you will be wishing you got a 525 within a year (I did), and I personally think both boats are a little underpowered with a 496HO. Odds are you'll do some mods that void the warranty long before 5 years are up, and the 525 is a much better platform for upgrades. Also agree with the above that a used boat a few years old is a much better deal for the $$$. Find a good mechanic (with help from this board), get the used boat checked out before buying, and keep it well maintained and you'll be happier in the long run b/c you can get a bigger boat for the same $$$ and you won't take as big a hit when you decide to sell it and move up. My personal recommendation is to skip the 32' (awesome boat, but small cockpit (same size as 27')) and look for a nice used 35' Lightning or Executioner. They're out there for the right price if you look hard/long enough. Good luck and hope to see you join the Fountain family.

This past year we looked at a 27 first well for a few dollars more your in line for a 29, which we bought. Bigger boat, better ride. If you want the ride skip all of it and go straight to the 35. Just giving you .02 cents due to our hind sight because now I'm keeping my eyes open for a 35-38.

PS
When we shoped / bought I was not a memember of OSO and seeing the comments that are posted I would have shopped for a 35 from the get go.

This is the ticket! http://www.yachtauctions.com/detail.asp?stockNo=12855 Now if i can get my wife to get a part time job HHHMM
Bet it can be had for 120k

Now you're talking!!! Nice looking 35. I'd check out some of the 35's in the classifieds here as well.

I bought a 27 last year. I like it, but i'd say go for the 29.

My non-step 27 with a single 502 only runs 61. Still needs some tweaking though, it should go 65 with the right a/f, timing, and prop.

You're already looking at a lot more $$ than i spent though. My boat cost $31,500. $250 a month... i spend more than that on gas