29' Fountain Question
 

I'm new to power boats and I am looking at getting a 1996 29' fountain fever with 502MPI/415hp and bravo ones for lake Michigan and it is said to go about 80mph. I am looking to go 90+ is this boat capable of that with replacing the engines and drives. Also is this boat going to handle terrible at those speeds. I really don't want to get anything like a 38' because I don't want to have deal with something that big. If you guys could give me your input that would be great.

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

Yes you can make it go 90. I'm guessing it will not handle very well.
If you are on Lk Mi, 29' will be borderline. You will get pounded on 2-3 ftrs.

How about a 32 with 500's that will go 85? You will piss alot of money away to go 10mph faster and never get it back. Anyway, good luck and welcome to OSO. Where you live at?

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

I agree with Downtown42, to make a stock 29 w/ twin 502's do what you want is probably not the best combination.

Something to think about a 29 w/ single 750 hp (500efi + Whipple) should run at or close to 90mph

I think you really need to look at a 32 or 35 for those speeds, also if you are new to powerboating a boat running in the 90's is real handful.

Welcome to OSO

WILL :drink:

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

I live in Coloma Michigan on Paw Paw Lake. I want a boat that can hang with almost anything but not that big.

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

what do you think a 32 with blown 502's would run speed wise?

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

Really depends on the 502's and the set up. I am sure some guys with 32 and 35 will jump in here by tonight, I will guess with twin 650 hp around 100-105

Remember the more you pull out of the motors and drives the more maint and failures you will have, can get costly real fast.

WILL

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

doesn't Jim V have his 29 for sale with single and 100mph??

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

My '99 32 with 502's runs right at 75. Same yr boat with HP500's is a low to mid 80's.
No substitute for length. I'd look for the biggest you can, for use on Lake Michigan.

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

A 90 mph 29 Fever, is NOT a boat for someone that is new to performance boating. Look at 35's, you will be glad that you did. The extra size "in the water" is worth the extra trouble when docking and trailering, especially over 80 mph.

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

Persoanlly owning a 29 with a single I'd opt for the longest boat you can handle (trailering, docking, etc). If you don't do it now you'll be boat shoping by the end of the season again (not thats all that bad :D ). Their are a lot of 32's out there for about the same money as a 29. and you can push the speed and not have to worry about chineing as you will in a 29 with that kind of power. Just MHO.

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

IMO if you are new to powerboating then you probably shouldn't jump right into anything capable of going 90 mph. Buy a used 29 with stock power and leave it alone. Learn to operate it and when you are ready to go faster after a year or two start looking for a bigger boat.

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

29 Fever's with twin big blocks do not fly off waves very well. Much to heavy in back.
CWhite, I owned a 2000 29 Fever with a single HP500 and it was a nicely balanced boat. However in real 3 foot waves it was really catching air and with a 4-5 footer thrown it it beat the mess out of me.

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

cwhite,
Go to http://www.chicagofountain.com/index.php
look at the 32 that Shogren has for sale. It is the cleanest used boat I have ever seen in my life. 100% perfect!!

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

I have a 29' with twin big blocks and even on GLOC in Oklahoma I am wanting a bigger boat. Looking at a 35' right now. :evilb: If this is your first power boat then you need to start small and learn how to drive and handle the boat. My 29' will be for sale soon if you want a clean boat with stock power that will run right at 70.

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

A 29 with a 525 efi will run 80 and can be a hand full to run. lots of air time.

Re: 29' Fountain Question
 

very good advice guys,
no matter what you get it is never enogh :drink: this damn sport is like a heroin addiction...
so start small & stock and get tons of seat time,,
you will not loose a ton that way
then you will better know,,
and get what you want.
my 02