1988 29' Fountain???
 

I am not exactly looking for a new boat but this '88 29' fountain was brought to my attention. It has twin 454's (HP is unknown by me). On a loadmaster triple axle aluminum trailer. I asked how fast and the owner said he doesn't know exactly because the speedo never worked well. He is asking about $30k It needs some updating and a swim platform for my two young boys. My question is what is a good guess for performance? If the boat surveyed well what would be a fair offering price? And After redoing the dash, adding a swim platform and taking off the "LIVIN' LARGE" lettering would I be better off just getting something newer??


Thanks again,

SOX

I am concerned with reliability on a boat this old. I know mechanically know one can tell but how well built is this era Fountain's hull?

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

port side

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Hard to determine but looks like some TLC is needed. Speed should be upper 60's-70 range. 30k sounds alittle high for what pics are. 24-25 range I guess is good. Fairing looks homemade with those brackets. A survey will tell how hull is. Have a compression test done on motors-150-160 per cylinder is good. If it was saltwater boat, it's probably gonna need some work. There was some good 32 Fever deals out there for 40 range and newer. may want to peek around some.

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Also hope you like the paint graphics too.

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

The paint is definetly something I would do away with also. I was thinking an offer of low to mid 20's also. I took these pics in late winter when it first went on the market, In the morning the price was 30k, by the time I had got over to look at it the owner was told a broker could sell it for 45k. I walked a way without really scoping the boat too well. I recieved a call yesterday telling me the owner bought a repo boat and needs to sell this boat asap. I figure it doesn't hurt to investigate the boat a little bit, you never know the true bottom line price until you ask... ( & show some green backs :) )

Would a surveyor do a compression test?
as far as I know the boat ran in the Deleware river. No salt up north but a lot of telephone poles and bodies ( the hull has a few wear marks).

Is there any aftermarket fairings available that would update the looks?

Thanks for the help so far :)

SOX

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

a surveyor should be able to if not get a mechanic-its easy.You will water test also right? After you agree on price..... Been on market for 8 months-need to sell-offer 20. Fairing isn't that bad I just noticed the goofy brackets, looks kind of cheesy (WI).

You have been looking for 8 mo and haven't tripped over anything?

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

yes, there are aftermarket fairings available

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

I sold my 1993 29 Fountain twin 502 EFI's less than 250 hour new triple axle trailor for 36k last year if that helps. Tom

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

I think Totalmarine can make them at an reasonable price

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

we all know how fast or slow our boats are, (he's not telling the truth already!) it should do about 70 if it has 454mags, if you sea test bring hand held gps.

Seasons almost over, lot of people with boats that don't want to winterize and store, I'd offer 20k. good luck.

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Thanks for all the feedback!

I havn't really been looking for a new boat but this came up and I thought it doesn't hurt to ask you guys for your opinion. I think the guy may be a bullsh*tter, but if I do my homework I may be able to sift through all that and find the real facts. If I make an offer I definitely make it contingent on a favorable survey, and sea trial (no doubt with gps in hand).

Thanks again,

SOX

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Good luck and keep us updated!

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Hey Sox,
I've got an 89' 29. Great boat for the price. Mine runs in the mid to high 80's with half tanks. I built a pair of beefy naturally aspirated 454's that work really well. I can't tell what drives those are but if they're TRS keep in mind the issue with parts. The TRS's will take the hp if you take care of them. The early 29' is a stout hull, a bit on the heavy side but they handle just great! Again, I can't tell from the pics but it doesn't look like it has external steering? That boat is going to be hard to drive without it and would be well worth the $$ to upgrade. It looks like it's on a good trailer at least.

Given the time of year and all the other GREAT deals on 35's he's gonna' have to come down to 20k or less. These old boats don't sell too fast these days so he should be willing to let it go cheap.

When I got mine I planned on running it for a couple of years then upgrading. Now I don't want to get rid of it. Since I paid next to nothing for it I can afford to make all kinds of mods that I would never think of doing to a more expensive boat. In the real rough stuff it's a major kick in the a**! All the newer stepped guys have to back off while we go blasting through it. We run on the inland Delta and out on the San Francisco Bay so having a versatile hull is a huge plus.

Keep me posted.

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Here's a link to some bad pics but you'll get the idea.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=80496

The headers are Lightning and worth every penny. They not only work extremely well they look awesome!

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

yeah Lefty, you did a nice job on her. Way to go! :)

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Thanks Dave, We do something right over here on the left side. Nothing like having an old dog that performs.

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Lofty,

Thanks for the input! Those motors look great! How much horse power do you have to be running those speeds? That is way faster than I thought this boat would run with 454's (without a blower anyway). Thanks for the info. if I get this boat I'll be calling on your experience.

It sounds like the general consensus is if the boat is sound and if I can get it around 20k it may be a good deal. I'll keep everyone posted if I make any moves on this boat.

Thanks again for everyones help and support!!

Rob Bowersox

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

I looked at one several years back that was a spitfire edition, but essentially the same boat. It was advertised as having a top end of 72 (I don't think GPS) with 502's. The guy who bought it is a friend of mine and I've ridden on it once. He rebuilt the engines to I think around 575 - 600 HP (also with lightning headers). The time I was on it the wind was blowing pretty good and the lake was solid 3's and 4's. The boat ran great in it and I saw 78 on the GPS that day. It may have gone higher, but I was busy trying not to lose my sunglasses. I was struck by how solid the boat felt and sounded.

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Rob, The motors are making aroung 550... depends on who you talk to but I think that's a conservative #. I played around alot with props to get the speed up. Also if it has the TRS's it'll need nose cones. The TRS housing blows out at the mid 70's so the prop gets airated. I have some different lower units than the standard TRS. Don't know if they're Merc or not but they're a whole lot more streemline than the standard. They look more like a #3. Mine came from Fountain with them on, according to the records I got from Fountain (thanks Gail!).

It is SOLID in the rough rough stuff. 20k sounds like a good working #. Hope it all works out, good luck!

Fionn

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

heres some pics of my 89/29 with the new graphics

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Twinn29, did you previously have painted graphics and if so, how did you remove them? I have painted imron stripes on mine and would like to strip it off someday.

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Downtown- when I first looked at the boat it had a mural painted from stem to stern below the rubrail of a previous owners restaurant :eek: ....I said "I like the boat but that mural will never see my driveway".......before I took delivery I had the owner sand the mural off and and paint it white at his expense......the deck is gel , you cant tell the difference.....the current graphics are vinyl..........I'll try and scan some old pics....doug

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

before and after

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

Twin29,

Looks great! I like the new graphics a lot better than the old paint for sure. What are your power and performance #'s?

Re: 1988 29' Fountain???
 

two bone stock 270hp/350s....65 if the stars are lined up....in fresh water