lkn123

Looks unanimous that the 29' is the way to go... Thanks for responding...

bob_t

I've owned 2 27 Fountains and 3 29 Fountains. First 27 was a 1996 with HP500, 2nd was an 04 with 496HO. The 29's were a 2000 with 500EFI, a 2002 with 575SCi and a 2006 with 525EFI. The 1996 27 and 2000 29 both had the older deck style, and the 27 with HP500 would run right at 76 mph on GPS and the 29 with 500EFI would ran 73.6 on its best run. All of the others were the new style with built in anchor locker and built in ladders (they are a little heavier, too, than the older models). Test reports were 76.4 mph for 27 with HP 500 and 74.5 for the 29 with 500EFI, so the 27 was a little faster with the same hp, even according to Reggie's test reports. The 29 is a slightly deeper boat and rides a little better than the 27, but not night and day difference, like when going from the 29 to our 35 twin step lightning. The 27 and 29 are similar getting up on plane, but the 29 with a 500 noticably a little more sluggish getting on plane. Our 29 with 575 literally would jump on plane, and the 525 boat does ok as well. We also had a 2002 Formula 292 with twin 6.2's in the mix of all those boats and personally did not care for that boats performance. 70 - 72 mph was best that boat ran with twice the maintenance and nearly twice the fuel (although it did have something like 13 cup holders ). Not worth it in my opinion. The 29 Fountain single engine is an ideal trailer boat, in my opinion, having owned 6 of the two boats you are comparing.

fountain4play

As a former owner of a 29 Fever which was one of the best boats I've owned I'd get the 29 its bigger and a very nice ride...Mine had twin 350 Mags and was pretty easy on fuel and used it for seven problem free years...It was hard to see it leave the dock when I sold it back in 08'

dicdik

LKN123,

I sent you a PM.

SVL-WARLOCK

If your going to buy the 29, I have a very nice 29 with 575 for sale.

dykstra

iTrader: (1)

29'

stlawrence17

I have a 27 Fever with a 454 on Lake Norman and it handles the lake just fine in any weather. I'm used to boating on the St. Lawrence where you can run into bigger waves and a lot more traffic so maybe it's just me. The 29 is clearly a better boat to own, longer is always better and at that length the 2 feet can make a difference. The 27 is about the same size as a 25 outlaw and on this lake that is really all you need. On the St. Lawrence my 27 looks like a little dingy compared to the boats there.

If you get one send me a PM and we'll have to meet up on the lake.

Of any of the guys on Lake Norman has anyone heard of or used Dean Oltz as a mechanic?

stlawrence17

Side note - I thought my 27 had a 60 gallon tank but I've put 68 in it before...

SDFever

I think some of the 27's varied a little bit. Mine is an 03 and holds 58 and i got 60 in it once.

Other year 27's I've heard of held more... Mine is also a wierd tank. Runs long time on full and then just falls to empty right away and you better be close to fuel! Sux.

apppedigree

Do not use Dean Oltz at all!!!!