the 34 sutphen rules....no beak, no bull, performance boating's true classic hot rod,period. SUTPHEN-rare,fast,strong. :D :cool:

I stopped by the Fountain Factory in April, on the way down to Daytona, they took me for a Factory tour on 5 minutes notice!
I can only speak for them (Have never been to the Formula factory), But Fountain is a Class act!!
Tour both factories and see how they build their boats before you buy!
If i ever go back to a V-Bottom ,Fountain will be first on my list!!
Good luck
Its nice to be you,Having to choose beteewn two great Boats!! :D

Went from a 252LS Formula to a 27 Fountain Fever to a 312 Fastech. In my hunble opinion, Formula fit and finish interior and cabin is better. As to hull construction, I'd vote a draw. Formula ride, for the size, is second to none. If you plan on staying on the boat and enjoy the best ride at the speeds you normally operate the boat, go for the Formula. If you want to give up some cabin room and comfort in exchange for 3 to 5 mph top end, go for the Fountain. If price is no object and you want to be fastest 35 out there, go for a cat. Great deep V, great ride, quality, hard to beat a Formula.

OK, I can't take it any longer, so I guess I'll chime in. I have considered both time and time again. This is what I've learned. Fountain will equip your boat with basically any motor HP configuration and warranty the hull for a year. Formula will not, they limit their HP option far from what the Fountain can be equiped with, but they'll give you 5 yrs on that limited HP. Makes you wonder. Also, someone said whats 5 MPH, are you kidding, thats a **** load when your running someone. The beak, either you love it or hate it. Obvious you must not hate it or you wouldn't consider owning one. That beak thing really sounds like a broken record and anyone who has been around knows that it is commonly expressed by those who either want to sell you their product or are making some sort of statement of self approval for choosing their boat. That 35 Fountain will most likely walk on the Formula 353, and just to show the anti-beak crowd, it will walk on the 312 also. Now they can do the math. As far as cabins go, Who really uses them except to stow coolers, chips, and extra clothes.
:)
I'll always look at both products, along with a host of others on my next boat, but if it were me, go for the speed... :D :D

Formula all the way. I don't think I could use my left hand to throttle.

93Formula

Not to start anything but 75 in a procharged boat. I radar 74 in my stock 27 Fountain 500 efi,with 1/2 gas. I run WOT all the time and love it :D You are right it all depends what you want, However for speed Fountain all the way. :D

WILL

Pick up the latest issue of Boating. They have a comparison between various manufacutrers in the size range you're looking at. Their opinion was that if you could afford it, go for the Formula. They had comments/complaints about the bolsters in the Fountain.
My next boat will definately be a Formula.
I have one now and the wife is already looking at new ones.

[ 06-29-2001: Message edited by: Iggy ]

For me, it would have to be Fountain. I love my 29 Fever and see that very 35 as "the next boat" someday (as long as it has the old deck). I do think the Formula probably rides better in the rough and has somewhat better amenities, but the Fountain's ride is adequate for the conditions I see and my little cabin works just fine for a weekend. Left-hand throttles don't take too long to get used to. Best advice - check both out, get test drives and then see which you like better.

I thought the only thing the cabin is good for is... Oops, almost forgot this is a family site! :D :D

Stabbin' Cabin? Did someone kill somebody? :D

Ultimate relief is spelled C-A-T!

I really love my beak boat, but I went from a 23' Rinker. What a difference!! Everyone has been saying the fit and finish is nicer on the Formula. I don't think that is true. You just get more space and a few more amenities. I don't think the quality is any better. Both excellent boats though!

I second Offshore 1's comments...

O.K.-O.K., facts 35 Fountain w/Reggie in it 87mph/500's. Feb 2001 PB boat trials, PQ 340 Vyper 86.5mph/500's. I now have 1' more freeboard @ stern and a LOT more cabin space. ;)

There are good arguments for both boats. The Fountain may be a little better on the top end, but the Formula shines brighter in rough water capability. Formulas do quite well in Factory 2 racing, and the factory gives incredible support. As far as cabins, I and most other Formula owners use them for a lot more than stowage. McLeod interiors are standard, and recognized as the cutting edge in bolster seating.
Formula WILL work with people on power and drive options. Remember, Lingenfelter is close by and his engines have been used in their boats right out of the factory.
I for one don't have a problem with `the beak'. I think it gives Fountain Powerboats a distinctive personality. (my $.02)
You really aren't going to go wrong with either manufacturer- they both have achieved excellent reputations.

They are two very good choices, but why stop looking there? After owning 3 Bajas (good boats)and then 3 Formulas (very good boats)I bought a phenomenal boat. Powerplay- there is no substitute!

Originally posted by INDY27:
Go with the boat that suits YOU best,I would go with the Fountain,to me its like the FERRARI of the water,the Formula is more like Lexus.Do you want performance or HIGH PERFORMANCE?

Could not have said it better!
The Formula is more cabin and less gauges, as for the Fountain its all in its Racing heritage.
BTW...the whole "beak" thing is about bow lift and a dryer ride.

Cadillac or Ford Escort..........you figure it out! :rolleyes:

If the two owners squared off, I will take Reggie. I think he as step or two on the competition.

Hi Mike you have a 29' Fountain correct, I just sold my 29' Fountain, great boat. I have only been on a single stepped 35' with the old deck I thought the cabin on that boat was small. I still would take the Fountain over a Formula but thats just my preference.
:)

Several years ago I had a 33 Fountain ICBM and a friend of mine had a 311 Formula. The fountain was 10 to 12 mph faster on top end but at cruise @50 mph the Formula was much more efficient and rode way better. The Fountain cabin is a joke compared to Formula

Speed I would go with Fountain. Cabin room Formula. If I could afford either new I would buy a Cig. I rode on a Top Gun last year the best ride I have ever had on a boat.

OK, time to nail this one shut!
If you want a really hot offshore boat, buy the FOUNTAIN. :cool:

thanks guys, looked at a 38 fountain this weekend and I'll tell you: it really looks great. I think I'm leaning towards the fountain side.

:cool:

I've not ridden in a Formula, yet, but I love our Fountain and got it cause I know it's going to be fast with reliable power. However, if you overnight alot, the Formula will be more comfortable. I like the way Fountains sit in the water, but when you overnight, too much blood rushes to your head in the v-berth. :D :D :D If I spent a lot of time overnight, I'd look at Active thunder or Sonic.

Mark

***** I can only say !!
What manufacturer won World & National championships in 2000 in Factory 2 ????
FORMULA !! ;) :D Funny thing is, they are still winning this year too !!
So much for lack of performance in a Formula. :rolleyes:
Every Formula is not built to be a "fast" boat, but they are ALL built to be the best (or at the top of the list anyway!) all-around, good looking, sea-worthy & durable boats made anywhere & that do not become dated due to any "predominant" physical characteristic of the builder. Fountains are ok, but my buddy has one, and has almost no place to store "stuff" (HIS WORDS !!)

QUESTION:..(excerpts from prior answers above) ..At the end of the day, will a Fountain that ran 3mph faster in the short term, really be the "first" across the finish line if it does not handle the "rough" like a Formula????? :eek:

Fun question, huh !!

FORMULA only, real boat, real wiring, real rigging, real steering wheel not ripped off from a Dunebuggy

Aren't some of Formula's successful race results due in part to Fountain pulling the plug on their sponsorship/involvement in APBA due the ongoing ego contests between the two parties. I believe when Fountain was involved in APBA they had a good share of the titles. I'm not positive though, my bull**** ATT cable doesn't give me my speedvision :( :(

Spent,
Since most of the Fountains returned to APBA this year in spite of Reggie saying all Fountains would go to SBI, I don't think Formulas winning season was a result of lack of competition from the Fountains. Indeed, it seemed as though when APBA tightened up the rules and tech inspections, the Fountains seemed to fall off a bit. I'm not trying to take anything away from the Fountain teams. Most of those teams have great boats and very talented crews running them.
Myself, If I was looking for a pleasure boat, I would go with Formula due, (in part), to the way Formula treats the customer AFTER the sale. The Porter family just plain does good business.
Besides that, Those Formulas run pretty damn good!

one friend has a 2001 35 lightning with twin 502mags, another a 2000 353 fastech with 500efis.....driven both, hang out on both, and have ridden in the ruff and calm with both. by far the fountain looks cooler, but the ride in the ocean is a little more jarring. for space the formula feels much bigger, cabin, boat in general. speed? two different power trains..the formula turns 32s and the fountain turns 26 both at 5000 rpm, the formula touches 80, the fountain is about 76....i am sure if the fountain had the twin 500s it would take it on top end, but only in calm water. the re entry on the formula is more forgiving...i have owned baja, formula, etc and i am not favoring either boat, just my .02

I just traded my Baja 232 for a 2000 29' Fever with an HP500 in it. For me a boat purchase has as much to do with the emotional side as the logical side. Logically a Formula would suit my needs (read wife and child) better. Smoother rough water ride, more cabin room etc... but I just really love the styling (save the dune buggy steering wheel), handling and performance of a Fountain. The Ferarri/Lexus analogy earlier I think is very accurate.

Buy whatever flies your rocket! Both makes are top quality boats and you really can't go wrong with either one.

Now I need to change my handle!

And have to start back over at 0 post? Never make your 14 back up. ;)

Back to topic, both boats are great and have their own spot. You need to decide which fits YOUR spot the best. After all, it's your money and you will be the guy on it everytime. Many great opinions you recieved here are just that, opinions. Personnal ones at that, with some having never been on either one if I had to put money on it. Good Luck and keep us posted.
Jerry

Formulas are great boats, but damn those Fountains look good sliden' across the lake!!

looked at a 35 fountain , and cabin is just way to small so must go with 35 formula ...

Way to go............... very nice choice. I can tell you what will be next. A 382!

Nort

That's not a performance boat...it's a yacht! ;) ;)

Good luck. Must be nice trying to decide which $200,000 boat to buy.

I think if your going to go with the fountain, you need to get the fairing. I think the new windshiled really makes it lose it's agressive look. :D

I think if your going to go with the fountain, you need to get the fairing. I think the new windshiled really makes it lose it's agressive look. :D

Out here on the left coast, I use to run into a couple of losers that sometimes post on this board...Phantom Chaos and Turbosonic 1....both proud Formula owners....I owned a Fountain 38 Fever.....and not counting looks (no comparison that the Fountain wins that hands down), but I would run circles around these couple of has beens!!!!! I would be at Hooter's having a cold one with the girls and these two goofs would be floating out in the Pacific measuring the accuracy of their GPS', fixing their cute little ice makers and trying to figure out why the caulking was leaking through their seams of their imitation wind ferrings!!!! You got one guy with the billboard Formula begging people to buy his leaky trim pump caps that look like they just fell off your Christmas Tree and the other guy with his 382 bragging that his monster can crush the three inch chop at Lake Havasu. Give me a break, this is not even an issue.....go for the Fountain and then trailer that baby out to California and find the two goofy looking guys with SCOPE shirts on and spank their silly ass!!! Then listen to them belly-ache how their engines vapor locked, their pitot tube hoses exploded under their dash and their heads overflowed!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

D-Man and the D stands for Dangerous!!!!

He's Baaaaack :cool:

Be afraid ... be very afraid