29 or 32 Fever
 

I'm going to be in the market to upgrade to a bigger boat this off season. I am sorta "On the fence" so to speak. I really like the 28 AT, (not too many of them for sale) but I've always like the Fever's. I was able to see plenty of them in the Destin area with my trips over there this summer, & it has really got me looking at alot of Fevers. My question is, is there really that big of difference between the 29 & 32? Of course beyond the obvious difference of singles or twins, I'm more looking for the ride & room between the two boats. I've really got my eye on a 99 32', but I just can't seem to be able to justify going to twins if I can get just as much boat out of the 29. There are some really good deals on 29's, but for a few dollars more I can go with a 32'. That is my dilema....Speed is NOT a priority...I'm more with the ride quality, & stability of the boat, of course the build quality goes without saying, when it comes to Fountain. I'm going from a Donzi, & they are a well built boat, I just can't seem to find a good deal on a 33 ZX, & there is not much difference between the 26 & 28 ZX....Anyway, I'm just looking for some input from folks, between these two boats. I really like the 32, but the idea of twins has me second guessing it, so, I'm lookin for a little input.....

For ride quality, stability, and extra cabin space definately go with the 32 Fever. Cockpit size in the 32 vs the 29 are the same so no difference there. If you are looking for a great single engine boat then the 29 fever is a great option. If you need the extra length to handle the slop then go with the 32. A better fit would be a 35 classic/executioner if you are willing to go the extra length and most skip over the 32 to go with the 35. You will love the way the 32 rides and handles. I ran my 32 for 3 seasons in the Lake Erie slop and did just fine. The 32 gets a bad rap because of its low slung profile and very little freeboard but I can tell you after owning one that the boat is solid as a rock, handles superb, and is fast. It is a very fun boat to drive. There are lots of other boats in that size range that will give you more room but none will be as fun to drive as a 32.

RAF

BTW- My 32 had 502mag MPIs and was pretty fuel efficient. Most 32sw have 502s and the later ones were built with small blocks. The 502 mpis are not spookey at all. They run forever with very little maintanence and they don't drink that much fuel. 76mph everyday.


RAF

Oh one more thing Congrats on joining the Fountain camp!

I totally agree with Runafever. The better ride of the 32 trumps the 29, even with single engine efficiency. I went from a 29 with twin 502's, to a 35 with HP500's,... The ride comparision wasn't even on the same planet. Get the 32 (or 35) if you can afford it. You won't be sorry. Carder

Go with the 32, you'll love the twins. A lot more weight in the twin engine FOUNTAIN, and you say ride is a priority, the 32 will ride better. Twins make it easier to move around docks, other boats etc...
Also I think FOUNTAIN, stopped making the 29 in 2008.... So the 29 may be an outdated boat for resale.
And welcome :cool-smiley-011: o the FOUNTAIN camp, you won't be disappointed.

The 32 and 29 DO NOT have the same cockpit size, if the 29 is a single engine 29. If the 29 is twin enigne, then they are the same. The 32 has exactly the same cockpit as a 27 Fever. The 29 singles have what Fountain called an "extended cockpit" ... it is most noticable in the distance from the back seat to the front seat seatbacks, and it is very noticable, even though it is only about 12" added space, in the cockpit. Take a look at the 27, 32, and 29, side by side, if possible and you will really notice the difference. All of the added room in the 32 is up front - you get an "extra" bench seat on the port side in the cabin, that the 29 does not have - it has the cooler and sink, only, on the port side. The 29 single has the largest cockpit of the Fevers, except for maybe the 38, which they don't make anymore. I've had a couple 27's, and 29's, and a 35 Lightning Twin Step. Personally, if going to twins, I would skip the 32 and go direrctly to the 35 - they are nearly the same weight (single step 35), and the 35 is a much "nicer" boat. My friend had a 32 with BIG motors and then sold it and got a 35 twin step with 525's. The 35 ran about the same speed as the 32, but it was a much nicer ride, and had alot more freeboard. Cockpit and cabin were much nicer, too.

Correction to be made. I compared a 29 twin to a 32. Same cockpit space, however I think the ride quality and the space below decks where the questions that rangerrick were comparing.

Night and day difference in ride between the 29 single and 35 - either 35! :D

I agree- If funds permit- grab a 35. Lots of them around and most are similar in price to a 32 unless it is a newer TS.

I really appreciate all the input on this, I hope to make this jump within the next few months. This is a 32 I have seriously considered looking into. http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o18458-en.html
From the pics, it really looks like a well maintained boat, & I really like the graphics.
How does the cockpit areas compare to my 26ZX? How much room is there in front of the engines? I do the majority of my own maintenance, so the little extra room is nice...
I hope to be able to take a test ride in a 29 & a 32 within the next couple of weeks. A marina in Destin has one of each & I plan on going over to at least take a close look at them, & hopefully a ride...
I have looked at some 35's, but I am worried about the extra length when it comes to fitting in my shop, I would have to do a bit of measuring...LOL.
How much of a "learning curve" is there going from a single to twins? Do most folks dock with just one engine, or do they use both?
Thanks again...

Once you understand the logic and physics behind operating a twin engine boat it is actually quite easy. Easier than a single engine boat to dock. You will like it. Good luck. The boat looks great!

That is a great looking boat. I had a 2000 32 ft. Lightening, it was a great boat, mine had the 385's in it, ran around 74 mph with some labbed props. Go give her a drive / ride....

I found the learning curve to be quite easy and rather quick, docking or backing up to a dock, with twins. You can essentially control the nose and back of the boat independently of each other (more-or-less) using fwd/rev of each engine combinations. Bow reacts much quicker and much more predictable than with a single engine boat. You will get the hang of it rather quickly! This is with the props rotating OUT. Rotating in, it acts much more like a single engine boat - doesn't react as fast and tends not to want to backup quite as straight.

I do hope I get a chance to run the one in Destin within the next couple of weeks. I'll get to see both a 29 & a 32 side by side, & I'm sure that will help with my decision.
Thanks for the input, hopefully if all goes well, I'll be posting about my "new to me" boat soon.

I was always taught to buy the biggest boat that I could afford to own AND operate. So for me, twins were out of the question. Good luck.

Cockpit too small on the 32......looks like my 27. If its just you and the wife than fine, but add another couple and I begin to get irritated with somebody always standing in the spot i need to be. The cabin is another issue I have. Im too tall for fountain cabins. Unless the 30 somthing boats are dramaticly taller inside I dont see myself buying another reggie boat. Too bad too, b/c I really like'em.

29 vs 32
 

Bob-T hit the nail on the head with the 29 havin the biggest cockpit size with the single. The cabin door is also alot bigger. The other thing is the 29 is also taller with more freeboard then the 32. The main reason fountain stopped building the 32 with bigblocks was that they were sinking on the docks and when anchored. The swim platform can be pushed under water with very little weight on the back of the boat and waves from the rear makes it take on water.

Thanks for the info, I have seen certain models that do sit very low in the water. So, it seems like my search should be the 29 or the 35....Hmmmmm....Guess I need to do some measuring in the ole shop....

I've had 6 people on the back of my 32 with zero problem. Never an once of water in the bilge.
Not the problem that everyone makes it to be.

Lets see the numbers of sunk 32's.

Rangerrick63 - sent you a PM if you are looking for a very clean 29!

Bob

I agree with US1. 32s are not spooky at all. Ive had 7 people on my 32 and never an issue. Everyone makes it out to be an issue though for whatever reason i don't know

RAF