Looking to Upgrade
 

How much money you looking to spend?? How about a 33 Powerplay??

i know someone who may be interested in a 33 powerplay.. pm me with the info

not selling mine anymore, i was just saying that theyre great boats. dont take a lot of power to run good speeds, and eat up the rough.

The 292 Formula compares well to the 28 ZX Donzi. The 33 Fountain is a twin Big Block boat that is really the next step up.

Are you looking new, at a price point or ?

When I bought my 28 ZXO I was looking at the 292 as well. The BB boats were too big for me because they get so much heavier and trailering becomes an issue... more money for the boat then more money for the new tow vehicle, then more money to spend in gas so it was exponentially more money all around

I bought the Donzi because of the Open bow, but would buy the 292 Formula, 28 ZX, or 33 fountain. all are good boats, depends on what you are looking to do.

As for the 292 or 28ZX you can count on them giving you good gas mileage, fun to drive, small enough to tow pretty easily but big enough to do a long fun run.

:lolhit:sorry:lolhit: I did look at one at the orange beach races that was for sale it was a race set up boat...this guy i know wants a cabin and 500hp I/O drive.

If you're looking at a Formula, go right to the 353, mine goes fast enough for me and it takes the LOTO Saturday afternoon mess pretty well, I love mine.

this is the closest one to what hes looking for that is for sale right now.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...-Deck-97272017

I'd buy the 33 Powerplay over the other two, if you can find one of the really clean looking "race" ones, like "302Sport" has in his avatar.

The 292-SR1 Formula is a GREAT boat all around, and can be fast if you get one of the last ones they built, which had 502's in them. I had a 311-SR1 years ago, which was a BLAST, and never left me stranded. I would look for a clean 357-SR1 if I were looking in that era & price range. The price between the 357-SR1's & the 272, 292, & 311's, won't be far off from each other at all in those year models, so try to get the most length you can for rougher conditions & cabin room.

The 33 Fountain would be a nice boat for you as well, and run fast. The cabin won't be quite as finished out as the Formula, but that may not matter to you. A 33 Fountain with 502's would run great, and be a really fun machine. I wouldn't go any smaller than a 33 in the Fountains, IF cockpit & cabin space are an important factor to you.

Good luck!

I thought he was asking about the FasTec and new 33 Lightning (2008-ish up). I don't think the old 10 meter was considered a lightning.

I apologize & misread his post the first time. I assumed when he mentioned the 292, that he was referring to the 292-SR1. I had forgotten that Formula built a newer version of the 292 with a FasTec bottom. Sorry about that.

no, no apologies needed at all. What I was getting at, in a very round about way, is you raised the great question as to what the heck we are talking about. I assumed one way, you assumed another, but either could be what the original poster is talking about... and there are major differences between the two

In a way that's a lot more boat than a 29 Formula.

Towing/Handling/Hauling/Budget.....

Hahaha, no kidding. I'm pretty confused myself at this point!

There are definitely HUGE differences between the two boats. I'd probably go for the Fountain if it's a Lightning. Formula builds a great quality boat, and the FasTec bottom runs really well, but the Fountain is just more of a "hard core" performance boat in my opinion. The Lightning's looks, & obviously stellar performance, make it the more appealing boat to me of THOSE two choices http://smiliesftw.com/x/cool.gif

I will have a clean 1988 ,33 Fountain for sale in the late winter to early spring. Already has up dated cockpit and cabin interior. Motors and drives will also be freshened . PM me for more info. Tom

You are correct, but not that much bigger than a 33 Fountain, so it's all relative.
Not knowing how much cash we're talking about or other factors, such as trailering and such, my .02 was just to jump right to the bigger boat and maybe save an additional upgrade in two years.
There's a lot of deals on boats out there now, it's definitely a buyers market.

In 97 I bought a 272 and within the year was sorry and by the end of that Summer it was up for sale and I had a 312 Formula, just sharing my experiences and the 312 only lasted three years until I ended up with the 353.

Agree there - I am glad I bought the biggest I could afford out of the gate because it has warded off 2ft-itis.... Of course that may not always be the most responsible decision depending on the person.

Haha, I did the same thing, and its a great time to do it- I was looking for a 30-33 footer, for about 20% more than i wanted to spend I got a 38 ZR that will take care of another purchase desire in 2 more years. My advice- look around, there is a lot more out there at some unbelievable $$

I did the 4 boats in 6 year thing from 96 to 2002 and that got old doing the paperwork, but I didn't get tired of the same boat.

24' Baja
27' Baja
312 Formula
353 Formula

Looking to go to a 42 Tiger soon, can't just sit around.

I really like my 292 FasTech. Small blocks are easier on the gas and with the twin stepped hull she will run right at 70 mph. Handles the rough really well being a heavy V with a 24° deadrise. We overnight in it a lot too. The 292 is kind of a mini-offshore rig and that works good for us!:drink:

I ordered it with hydraulic steering and added 280S K-Planes. Both upgrades I highly recommend.

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

:boat:

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.

Thats correct about the comparisons. I know the 33 lighting came out 3 years ago and I have not seen one yet on the lakes or heard to much about it. I know the market went to crap but I have seen a lot of other new boats in that size range.

I think value and long term return on your initial money outlay the fountain sounds like a better deal if they are the same price or close to it.

I'd sell you my 2008 donzi 28 ZXO for well under 100k with 377's, hydro steering, etc. This way you can poker run and go to the sand bar with plenty of room to spare :party-smiley-004:

The reason I went with my boat over the others is the fact that I end up at the sand bar more than I end up running ballz out so I wanted more room and performance Vs. just performance.

How does it handle when your on poker runs or large bodies of water?