Aside from the ease of docking, can you guys help me understand how the fever 27 will behave differently between the twin 454 set up and the single 509? I'm considering buying one of the two, and currently evaluating an early 1990's w/twin 454's versus a mid 1990's w/a single 509.

I've never run one before, so I need some advice as to what differences to expect between the two setups..

Thx!!!

Buy the single. Ease of maintenance. A small 27 with twins is way to ass heavy.

Thx!!!........ but how severe do you think the additional weight impacts performance on this hull?... as in needing to walk people up to the bow in order to get on plane or just a bit squatty when running at speed? I'm trying to figure out how much (or whether at all) the additional hp offsets the ass end weight of the 2nd motor? One motor is always attractive from a maintence point of view, but if there are material performance gains of having 2 motors, I'd probably lean that way...

I may just have to drive them both to know for sure, but would love to hear more opinions and advice!!!!

Thx!!!!

The larger Fountains look like they are sinking in the rear. I couldn't imagine a 27 with twins.

The 27 is only available with a single. 29+ for twins.

I may add to this that IF you plan on working on your boat yourself instead of paying someone, you better not be a fat guy because the bilges are tight with twins.

That is what I was thinking but then again I am am Velocity guy. LOL.

Padraig

I think there was a very small number of 27's built with twins but it was too much weight in the stern for a smallish 27.

Dont get lured in by the thought of twin engines, big power, big noise, look at me stuff. A well set up single in any boat of that size can run very close to the speed of a twin and your maintenance is a dream by comparison.

As said above, a 27 stern is low in the water, put twins in one and I reckon the water will be lapping over your swim platform.

Single all the way!

RR

I specifically bought a single because I didn't want twins. I do a lot of my own maintenance and twins in a narrow boat are hard to work on. Plus the performance isn't that much different.

I would not buy a 27 or 29 with twins. I do most of my own work on my boats. Have owned a 27 Fountain Fever (single 502), a 35 Fountain Lightning (575's side by side), and now a 42 Lightning (staggerred 700's). The 27 single was fairly easy to work on, as far as room is concerned. The 35 side by side was a b!tch to work on always. The 42 seems relatively easy, although I've only winterized, oil changes, and sea pumps on this one (so far).

I just can't imagine working on a 27 or 32 with twins. Just replacing a sea pump would be a nightmare, I'd think.

My advice is find a 29 Fever with a 525 - friend of mine had one. Great river, small lake boat. Cockpit is just a little bit bigger than the 27 - 27 is tight with 4 people aboard.

This is not true, unless they have excessive water in bilge or are sinking. 27's, 29's, 35's, 42's, 47's all sit nice in the water. The 32's do not - rub rail is generally underwater while docked. Not a good situation, in my opinion.

My .02

You do not want to work on a 27, 29, or 32 fountain with twins. it is a nightmare to do anything. My vote would be a 29 with a single, great performance and easy to work on.