2000 29ft fountain
 

hey guys just wanted some of your thoughts on a 29ft fountain with 500efi and xr1 drive i have a 272 formula now its a 85 just wanted to go newer and faster some guys say its a downgrade that the 29 is smaller then the 272 i ll be running her on lake erie going to islands often any input ect thx

That's the boat I have and really like it, I think it a good combo. If you're looking, I would consider putting mine on the market as well since I have a baby on the way. Any other questions let me know and I'll help if I can.

they are 2 different boats, I've had friends with both of them. The 272 will have aprox 2-3 ft longer running length, a deeper V, and is between 1,000-1,500lbs heavier. The 29 is newer/more modern, and certainly faster but will give up a fair amount of rough water capability........not that it can't take some rough water, but not like the 272.

IE: the 272 is 27 ft of hull without the platform...adding that adds 2-2.5 ft. The 29 is 29 ft measuring the platform and the "beak". The platform means subtracting 2-2.5 ft but the beak means another 1-2 foot comes off it too. The 29 bow (after the beak) comes back quickly further reducing running length while the 272 is an older design that drops the bow down to the water more quickly (more running length). Just thought I would add these comments before the Fountain advocates bashed the method of my math.

hey racer whats your top end and your cruise speed gallons per hour burn

LOL...so your saying the 272 is a better rough water boat? Do your sheets stick to your leg in the mornings? That is a good one.

Having ridden in both a 29 Fever and Formula 27, UGh the Formula is not a better rough water boat!! What a Formula is, is a chit load heavier, and yes maybe on top end the formula rides better but if you slow the Fountain down to the same speed I would say they are spot on. Formula is a nice boat but performane is years behind others.

A move into a 29 Fever from a 27 Formula the space will be about the same (in cockpit), cabin will be close, and the Fountain will run 70+ at any given time, kind of like comparing a old camaro to a newer corvette.:evilb:

i didnt say the formula is better in the rough stuff just want to know if its comparable

Have you spent time riding on and walking around both boats? (don't confuse the Formula 272 with the later 271, completely different boats and the Fountain just might be the better ride there).

Went on a 300 mile 5 day trip with a bunch of boats, among them a 272 and a 29......the 29 owner complained about having to take the boat back to fountain TWICE to fix hull delamination from the pounding, he now has a 42 Sonic. The Formula was a 17 year old boat that the owners were very happy with the way it performed on the same trip. It's simply a shorter, lighter boat. The 38's and 42's ride just fine but Fountains 29 footer is not going to be a fun ride in 4-5 seas.


and BTW: I have no idea what the water conditions are where you boat....I've read online that the lake can get nasty.

thx for input hp 3 to 5s are common on lake erie just thinking it would be good to get into a single my 272 doesgood but she drinks bout 30gallons a hour

The real world top end speed on my boat is ~70 on GPS. In the ocean I can get it up to 72ish with a light load but the warm water and high heat in Havasu brings it down to 68-70 on GPS.

Fuel consumption is suprisingly low. I don't have any accurate numbers because Fountain has always had a problem with the sending unit on that design of tank so I've never had an accurate gauge. Best guess on that would be 15 GPH at WOT. It's supprisingly easy on the gas card though.

wow thats twice as fast and half the gas

All in all it's a great boat. We always want more power, but show me a boater that doesn't.

What motors do you have? 350's should push 60, 454 (carb'ed 310's) should be in the upper 60's....shouldn't they?

I have a 500EFI with 24 labbed hydromotive. Just real world conditions. The dealer told me hes personally been over 80 in my exact boat.:bsflag:

My buddies 2003-4 with a 525 and ITS extension box could just hit 80.....

Seems about right for real world conditions.

I had a 2000 29 Fever with a 500 EFI. Best speed was 72.7 mph on gps. Fountain test sheet showed 74.1 mph, 24P LH hydro Q-IV prop, which was very typical of that vintage/power. The 500EFI burns 40 gallons per hour, WOT. I also had a 2002 29 Fever with a 575 SCi. It ran best of 81 mph on gps. Fountain test sheet showed 83 mph. 575 will burn ~48 gallons per hour, WOT. I currently have a 2006 29 Fever with a 525 EFI. It runs 78 mph on gps, against the rev limiter, and burns 45 gallons per hour, WOT. Fountain test sheet shows 80 mph. At 3500 - 3600 rpm (good cruis speed for that boat) the 525 EFI burns right at 25 gallons per hour. These are freshwater speeds, on our local lake, so no current. My 2002 with 575 SCi ran 2 mph faster than anywhere else I ever ran it, when I had it at the fountain factory, on their "marked" course in the Pamlico Sound/river. Elevation is basically 0' above sea level according to my GPS, brackish water, and some current.

wow great info guysmy old 272 will hit 55 on gps on a good day and running light she has bout 700plus hours on her alpha s 3 blade props twin 350 s stock through hub she cruises nice at 33 in bout anything under 5ftrs long as your not going straight into em

There is no way any wide open big block gets more than 2 mpg