KajunATVer

I'm looking at a 1996 29' Fever with a 502 (415hp according to the owner). Owner says he thinks the boat has about 120 hours on it as they don't use it much (obviously). What are some things to look for when I go look at the boat and take a test drive? Was the 415hp 502 common in this boat as it seems a little low on power for a 29' (ok 27' boat ) Also, assuming the boat checks out ok what would be a fair price for this boat? Thanks for any replies!

Boomer35

hey, ive got a 2001 fever 29' with a 502, 500HP carbed with roughly 130hrs, an XR drive, gaffrig gauges, 84 mph, brand new trailer, custom fountian interior. if you dont like the interior take it back to fountain for brand new stock interior they can instal for roughly 5k..

boat and trailer for 35k

sleeper_dave

$35k seems a little light for a '96. I paid $31,500 for a '91 27' with a 502 3 years ago, with more hours. Although I guess with the market tanking like it has, that price isn't too far out of line. I'd think closer to $40k though, maybe a little more, if condition is right.

KajunATVer

Boomer, I think I've seen your boat on here before. It doesn't have a cabin right??

apppedigree

It might be hard to plane with a 502/415.

I say 40-45k.

Boomer35

yes, no cabin

KajunATVer

Thanks for the replies guys. Hey Boomer that's a great looking boat but I really want something with a cabin.

Boomer35

yea, i understand that one, call fountain, see what they could do as far as a cabin and cockpit, if you could get them to put it in custom to match a fever for around 13-15k or less, you would be into a 2001 fever, with a brand new triple axle trailer and low hour 500HP as well as XR drive for under 50k, with all brand new interior and cabin!

bob_t

If it has hydraulic steering, which it should, check the crimps on the ends of the hoses. I've seen several 96-97's where the end crimps were cracked. I found that every end crimp on our 1996 27 Fever had cracks and in 2000, when we bought that boat, I called Fountain and they warranty replaced all of the hoses in our boat! I looked at a friend's 97 35 Lightning a couple of years ago and every end crimp on those were cracked/split, too. Another friend has a 95 29 Fever and his were cracked, and one let go making quite a mess in his boat! Just something to watch for. Have not seen any cracks in those of their newer boats, and I have looked at (and owned) a bunch of them! Seems to have been isolated to those around late 1995 - 1997, from those that I looked at. I personally think a 29 with an HP 500 would be a better choice, if it were my money. We owned (and really liked) our 2000 29 with 500EFI, which was 4 boats ago, but it was kinda slow to get on plane (24P hydromotive, 1.5:1 ratio B1 drive, 17.5 X dimension). I think a 29 with 415 hp would be really slow to get on plane .

BAJA WILL

I would look it over very good, so their telling you they only used that boat less than 10 hours a year, thats like only one or two weekends a year. the boat should look like new, with those hours on it.

WILL