Right now I have a 22 thoroughbred, I live on lake MI and I'm getting sick of getting the snot pounded out of me. I like the fountain's lines and interior, but I've never ridden in a fountain smaller than a 42'. I'm looking at 27' or 29' fever stepped hull but how are they in the chop?

I like the ride on my 27, but you can def tell the difference on a 29.Then again im on the Potomac (which can kick up a little) But I have heard the great lakes can get pretty rough.

have 27. Lower trim tabs in rough water and it will be smooth sailing.

Either size will be a huge step-up (excuse the pun) from your hull in the waves, plus the beak really works to deflect water over the front.
Carder

I had a 26' Velocity, 26' Hustler and a 29' Fountain. We boat on Lake Erie the Fountain did not ride near as well as the other 2 boats.

Really? I would expect the hustler to ride better than the fountain, but you think the 26 velocity road better?

aa

My 27 liked everything except a lot of people in it combined with ruff water. Big boat wakes or swells were kind of scary on approach, but just fine when you do get into it. Big ocean/lake swells and chop will probably be chitty in any boat less than 30ft. i dont think there is a magic hull design that makes a 26ft feel like a 38ft.

I have a 29 and I really like it. It's hard to answer that question for me because I've never been in the great lakes, so I don't know what choppy water is in your mind. It does really well in the water at Havasu and does ok in the Ocean depending on conditions.

I have had a couple of 27 Fevers, 4 29's (3 singles and one twin), all being the single step hulls, and a 35 Lightning twin step. There is some difference between 27 and 29 in normal weekend "confused chop" at our local lakes, primarily boat wakes, but not a significant difference in ride quality, IMO. There is night and day difference between those and the 35 twin step, though :