And it is faster with the same power!

One of my good friends just bought a 27 last weekend....I went with him to pick it up and the size difference seems much more than just the 2 ft over all!! Granted there is 5 model years between his and mine, but I could not believe the differences, from first impressions alone, there was a noticeable difference in that my 29 has a much larger step, a much larger amount of knee room for a back seat passenger, and it almost seems like my swim platform is bigger. I've always read that the 29ft was involved in offshore racing as compared to the 27 model was not so the 29 has more R&D behind it, just some food for thought if you were thinking about a 27. The 27 is still a great boat, but depending on your budget, I would definetly lean towards the 29.

Have a 03 29 with the 525, I think they did the hull Makeover in 03 deeper step, and some other tweeks, at this point they said that with the same power the 29 was faster than the 27, as well as larger, I have a friend with a 27 and the difference in the cockpit and cuddy is significant. If you are able shop around and go with an 03 or newer 29 I think you would very pleased. As I said I think the first year for the hull change was 03 If Iam wrong hopefully some of the Fountain Gurus will correct this for us. I have been more than happy my 29, Good Luck in your search!

From what I understand the 98 and newer hulls with the frameless windscreen were the fastest as they were about 500lbs lighter than the newer windshield boats. ie a 500hp in an older model was as fast as a 525 in a newer model.

There is a thread on here if you search it, in Reference to the weight of the different deck and windshield. It was also discussed that fountain also changed the x dimension through out the years also. There was another individual here in my local area with a 29 (03-05 I think) with the new style deck/ windshield- 525 and he said it would run 80 on gps with the right conditions, 76-78 all day every day. That's why this fall I'll be building a 525 clone out of my 500, 80 mph gps would be nice.

I picked up my 97 29 fever for 24k. The interior wasn't the best but I figured it was a pretty good deal. Had a Weinand 177 on top hp500 motor. Took it out the first time and ran awesome. Over the summer it got weaker and weaker. Decided to have the motor gone through since I couldn't get any clear answers out of the original owner. Well builders said that it had recently been gone through but was a crappy build and he said it seemed like it was thrown together. My guess is the motor crapped out and they through it back together to sell it. Now I have a brand new 735hp motor going in it for this summer though. All in all with rebuild and boat I paid 32k. It still needs new interior though.

I have a 27' and can tell you if you can afford the extra $ do it because the cockpit room is scarce on mine! I love mine but would enjoy being able to fit a cooler in the cockpit lol If I had the extra money for 29 I would have gone that way.

TGM still sounds like you are ahead of the game with a brand new motor!

Man, I will say you guys have really helped me out on this one.. considering I'm new to the site people don't really wanna help ya out... but thanks guys. I really would like to find a nice 29 after hearing about the greater space they have.

A 29 fever has more space then a 32 as well. I can fit two coolers in my boat and the people in the back still have leg room. Wish I had a photo of my buddies 32 compared to my 29.

I'm a big fan of the white/ fiberglass windshields... id have to do that if I found a newer one with glass.. I just love the way it looks seems to flow better I think.