Help me choose between two boats
 

After weeks of searching I`ve narrowed it down and want to buy before summer is over.

Use would be be myself wife and two kids... Lake Michigan mostly.

First choice is a 2001 26' Powerquest with 454 mag
http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/6816

Second is a 1996 27` Fountain fever with a 502
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...Fever-95320134

Fountain is a better boat but 5 years older and $3K more.. more hours.
I love the way it looks and the 502 is very nice, a bit longer never hurts either.. 2001 boat would be better for resale.. the 1996 motor is probably ready for a refresh? Maybe not... I`m not sure..first boat for me
help

Thoughts?

Have you actually been in either a 26 PQ or 27 Fever? The Fountain will be substantially smaller than the PQ.

May I ask why you think the Fountain is a better boat?
actually the 26 PQ is bigger then the 27 Fountain.

both nice boats,take them both out for a test drive

Yeah that. And make sure you bring your wife and kids when you do. Let us know what you think of the interior space.

You'll be driving home with a PQ attached to your hitch.

I would take the Fountain.

Or............you could buy this. Cheaper and bigger than both. Built rock solid, excellent ride, and will hardly depreciate a dime if you take care of it.........

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Formu...3A1%7C72%3A317

Take it where?:drink:

If you want a boat to go out with your buddys then I quess you may want the Fountain,but if you have a family with a couple of kids or want any kind of cabin then you most likely want the PQ.
as far as quality they are both good.:ernaehrung004:

This is Dan's wife I vote for the PQ we have to kids ages 5 and two we do not want them to fly out of the back .....

I have an '03 260 PQ and it's a nice solid ride on Lake Michigan for this size of boat. It has a higher freeboard and roomier cockpit and cabin than the Fountain or Formula. Like they said , get in and check out the ride.
Here,s another one.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...ml:boat::boat:

Being a parent of a 3 year old my self, you are going to want to get a boat with the most useable space. They get small quick when they are in the water. And don't forget all the beach toys, chairs and other stuff that is involved when boating with small children!

If you want a family boat with a much more stable ride and much more room buy the PQ. I went from a 260 PQ to a 288 Sunsation. The PQ was much roomier but a pig performance wise compared to the sunsation. If you are looking for more speed and hull efficiency buy the fountain.

I live in Quincy and have seen the Fountain a few times on the river. It is a nice boat and runs very well. I would be more then happy to check it out for you if you need me to.

I had one of those and I took it from Ft-Lauderdale to Lake Champlain Vermont (1600 miles) in six days. That is where I took mine... :drink:

just kidding around.

I agree with you, the 27 Fountain is not a boat for children to ride in. The cockpit is WAY too small.

Remember, Mr. IC...if momma ain't happy YOU are not gonna be happy. Not only that, she will not let the kids ride with you so they will miss out on the great boating experience. You don't want that I know.

Nice...still got the Vette? My boat was red too and it was very hot in the summer here in Texas. My next one will be white or some pastel color that is not so hot to the touch.

That picture is 20 years old... All the parts are gone except me!

Not sure I understand this comment.

I have a 7' beam boat and never had any issues with my kids while riding.

I will agree that most woman would opt for the more "pleasure" orientated boat as compared to performance.

I think the biggest diff. size wise with these two boats would be cabin head room.

I think I'll just butt out of this thread...

Get the fountain and leave the kids at home. The wife !!!? Lets see some pics

I think you should be looking at Formulas to tell you the truth. They're durable and are probably more suited to family boating while still being fairly fast top end dep. on power.

I think the Fountain will give you and the family a much harier ride if the water on the big lake gets snotty compared to the PQ. My $.02.

PS: My boat ran 77 yesterday, port motor is fine, and it's way bigger than both of those boats. But I do understand if you wanna go newer. :D

I'm with this guy.:evilb:


I'm guessing you'll want to go faster than the PQ fast (see the thread on here of the guy with new to him Baja w/454 wanting more speed already).

Get something classic and bigger.....the Pantera!

Thanx for all the replies!
I wish I could go test ride both but they are 10 hours apart, soooo that`s not gonna happen.
I was leaning PQ and this just confirms it, it`s newer roomier, bit cheaper.. I`m sold!

It has no hour meter, so I told the owner to take it to a Marina have the motor checked for hours and do a leakdown test.. if it all goes well Ill have to dump the kids somewhere and do a 10 hours round trip lol

She might kick my ass but heres a fun one while were doing some marketing pics for my Showroom trailer lol:angry-smiley-038:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...lerpics024.jpg

Sounds like you knew what you wanted.:drink:


Nice pic!

I boat the Great lakes in Michigan also. I just sold my 27 Fountain cuz it's just not enough boat for the lakes. Its a great Big river or big inland lake (houghton or higgins) but you will have to choose your days carefull for the big lakes.

I'm buying whatever she's selling!

Ok I got one more .. this one about 30 min away.. a bit more than I wanna spend but a smokin deal I think.. a week ago his lowest price was $32K.

93 octane thou I don`t know, that could get expensive.
Fast boat, maybe only push it when the kids are at granmas :evilb:

So how would this boat handle Lake Michigan oh boat gurus???:drink:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Activ...3A1%7C72%3A317

That is a sharp looking Active Thunder, never been in one but heard nothing but good about them. Someone on here will be able to answer your questions about it.

That's a great looking boat, and seems VERY clean.

I've never been in one, but anyone that has will tell you an AT will handle the rough very well and is a great choice.

I wouldn't worry about 93 octane, as it's only incrementally a bit more anyways. I would be sure to check insurance though!

If insurance and survey checks out, go buy it. Summers running out.:drink:

A much better choice IMO. The 600sc will suck a lot of fuel though. My AT is rock solid and 12 years old. Also they have a very deep cockpit which is great for the kids. My kids are 5 & 8.

I went to see it today.. some tears in the seams of the bench and seats but clean over all. Very loud.. no captains choice.. not sure if that gets annoying after a while.
Over all a .. I`m torn.
Am i going to get tired of the powerquest speed?
I did put a blower on My F150 cause it was too slow.. all my toys are supped up .. I don`t think I need to go 80mph .. but never having to own a boat I`m not sure.. arrg so hard

Quick Answer.. Noise.. Yes, especially with wife, kids, friends while not running.. Speed.... Do I even need to answer that question!! LOL

...no captains choice.. not sure if that gets annoying after a while...


It WILL get annoying when you start getting tickets. But you can always add it if you buy the boat.

Came home with her today, woohooo!!!

thanx everyone!!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Activ...7%7C240%3A1318

Congrats on the purchase!!!! AT makes a great boat.

My 525SC was pretty loud with straight tips, and louder than I wanted it. Some Drew marine Shotgun mufflers definately toned it down some without breaking the bank.

Nice boat!

I would say you will definately like the fountain better regardless of cockpit space. far more solid boat in the rough in terms of ride and handeling. Cockpit space compared to the PQ is a little less as is the cabin but your wife and kids will appreciate the ride. We did a poker run a couple years ago on Lake erie and this guy in a 27 Fever was haulin ass right with us. Its a great boat.

With that being said I love Powerquest boats. I would suggest looking into a 28 silencer. I had this boat for a couple seasons on Lake Erie and loved it. It is substantialy bigger than a 26 PQ and a 27 Fever. Lots more cockpit roomand in the cabin. It feels like a 30. Awsome boat and easy to handle. Has a sindle step so it will be a little faster. You will like it much better. You can use this one for reference.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o23863-en.html


That would be my choice if I had kids and wanted my first powerboat. Heck I bought this boat when I was single with no kids. I loved it.

RAF

Congrats!:drink:

Nice boat, I think you'll definitely enjoy it.

I have a HP500 with no mufflers, and it sounds great.:evilb:

Nice job-

Every one of the AT guys Ive ever spoken or mailed with seems obsessed with their brand- I think youll like it better than either of the other rigs little heavy for its length but that will translate into a better ride, and with the 600sci thumping youll have great midrange and low end grunt out of her. Ill bet is actual bigger than the 27 fountain as well.

Now- just one more of Da wife for us to close out the thread....

Nothing better than a smokin hot redhead with great style, threads and nice....

Nice work there buddy- she got a sister?

All fun aside great ride- give us an update on the ride and have fun!

Uncle Dave