Your 292 looks great in the water, gotta love boating.

Sorry everyone I should have given more info. I am looking at an 08 Formula with 377's. The Fountains is a 08 with 496 HO's. The pricing is some what close but I don't know anyone that has a new 33 Lighting. Would love to here more about that one. I would like to go to LOTO, Lake Michigan and other places for some poker runs.

Thanks for all the help I really appreciate it!

Thanks. Gotta love boating is right. Winter time around here makes you appreciate it even that much more.

If most of your boating is on those lakes and you plan on poker runs, I would go with the larger Fountain. I don't have any experience with that model, but just the extra length and weight of the big blocks makes the difference.

PS If you haven't already, post your question about the 33 Lightning under the Fountain owners forum here on OSO.

also, what is your budget, and why have you narrowed it to those boats already??

From my research on these two boats I am looking right around 100k give or take some. I like that both of them have Port potties, Formula has theirs under the seat and is a pump out and the fountain has a inclosed head. they also seem to have the best room in the cockpit. We do a lot of hanging out on the sandbars and rafting up but would like to start doing poker runs with my friends in LOTO, Lake Michigan and Lake Winobago .. I like the reputation on these boats companies, also i like the drivers side set up on gages, and also my budget.

With either boat, you will still get beat up at LOTO on a busy weekend. The 33 Fountain will probably do better. Never been in or even seen a 33. Personally, I would go a year or 2 older and get a 35 Fountain or 353 Formula.

There are a lot of boats to be had for under 100k...I dont know if I would go with what you are looking at but I can give you my opinion of the 292...

We recently purchased a 2003 292...It has treated us well in 4months of ownership. Havent had any real problems. The boat is pretty much turn key ready at all times. (knock on wood). Has a top end of about 70mph. Descent for cruising through 2-3 ft chop. Anything bigger and you want a bigger boat frankly. Its a great reliable boat for small money.

Pros:
Stepped hull (sold)
sink
porta potty
windshield (rain/cold)
electric bolsters
brand name
cabin fit and finish (ultra leather)
cockpit layout
reliability
fuel efficiency

cons:
size
cabin a bit tight
no AC
doesnt handle huge water
anchor locker
storage
acceleration
speed

Not to disagree with ya Griff, but I've ridden in a 33 Fountain and I own the other (353) and in my opinion the Formula is definitely heavier and does better in the LOTO rough, maybe not as fast as the 33 but I'll sacrifice a few MPH for comfort. JMO, that's what makes the world go round.

Actually I think he means the 292 with small blocks compared to the 33 with big blocks.