FORMULA OR FOUNTAIN ?
 

Which one would you want/ 35 formula 500efi's or 35 fountian 500 efi's ? and what do you think about the diff. in cabins in each ? :confused:

Go for Formula (gee I wonder why). No other boat cabin compares to the Formula fit, finish and features.

Nort

I'll take the Formula because it's really a 35' boat, not a 32' with a beak :eek:

Plus, they put the sticks on the right side of the wheel ;)

I would go with the Formula, I,ve owned two and still have a 38. Great quality boat, great fit and finish, will not fall apart!

Isn't the Fountain several miles per hour faster? Anybody know the top ends on each?

Wow! That's gonna hurt. :) Never did like that beak. ;)

35 feet - 3 foot beak = less hull in water = a little faster :D

Question is how big a diff in ride does the 3 feet make?

I found the specs for the 35' Fountain
LOA: 35' / 10.67 m
Beam: 8'6" / 2.6 m
Weight: 8,400 lbs. / 3,810 kgs
Fuel capacity: 182 gals. / 689 l
Recommended power: twin 500 EFI Mercurys with Bravo One drives
Speed - 86+ MPH

35ft - 3 ft water = not as stable in rough sea & less room in cabin.

ive heard the beak design steers better than the formula...

but i like the formula better.

however, the early designs of WELLCRAFT SCARAB, circa 1978 are still widely accepted as the most classic and truly superior design of all time.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :mad: :cool: :p

The Formula site didn't list top speed. But get this, it's only 175 pounds heavier with more boat in the water. Hmmm...

Centerline Length: 35' 3" (10.74 m)
Maximum Beam: 8' 3" (2.51 m)
Approx. Weight: 8,575 lbs (3,890 kg)

86mph :rolleyes: maybe with no supplies and 20 gallons of fuel on the best day of its life.

Dont you know that this is how every car, boat, plane, stock, electronic device, or any other consumer related product every created is rated?

:mad:

Both are great boats. I've got a 35 Fountain now, but would be very happy with a Formula as well. Personally, I like the sticks on the left. Initially I found it very uncomfortable, but I have grown to like the set up. When I let someone else take the wheel, I stand next to them and control the throttles. This makes it an enjoyable day for my kids, they get to drive while I still maintain a safe speed and remain close to the wheel in case I need to grab it quick.

We don't spend much time in the cabin. It has proven adequate for our needs - but it wasn't on the criteria list when we bought the boat.

Enjoy either one. Better yet, enjoy both.

If you want it to really run in any conditions with out steps, beaks,or paying for a swim platform which is not part of the running surface, buy a Sutphen. They make a 34 that power for power will far out perform the others .

FORMULA
Without a doubt is nicer, bigger/better cabin and stronger.
Do you really care about 5mph at the top end.
I'm sure the 312 Formula is as fast at the 35 Fountain since they're the same size.
Personally, I like a little wind protection.

You guys are talking like the Formula is 3 feet longer than the Fountain it may be longer but not 3 feet. It also has a integrated swim platform and is not a true 35' boat. The Fountain is a faster hull but the cabin is pretty small. Either way you cant go wrong.

I 've owned a 27 formula and now have a 1991 311sr1 formula, which has a center line of 33ft. there is a 353 "98" model on our lake with lingerfelter engines, so to get the same size cabin in a formula (as I have now) I'll have to go with a 353.

The money you make just do it! Buy both. The Fountain for the weekdays and the Formula for the weekend

I saw a segment on Powerboat TV about the new 35 Fountain Lightning. With 500 EFI's they were saying 92MPH!! :eek: That's cookin!

I've owned two Formula's so far and considered buying a Fountain, but just don't like the styling, cabin setups or the "beak" look as much!! The Formula might be a couple MPH's slower on the top....Big Deal ;)

By the way, Formula does include the swim platform in it's length...

I'm not sure where the Formula is stronger came from, but that is not true. Fountain is stronger and handles better, but the Formula is always more luxurious and has the nicer cabin. I've done a lot of hull repairs to Formulas and I think the hull is their weakest link. Still better than 90 percent of the boats out there. They're really 2 different boats though.

Well,

I would go 35 Playboy Cigarette first Its a true 35 since it has no swim platform, then the Fountain because I like my 27 and for all the crap beeks get on the boards I get tons and tons of comments on my beak when its on the river or at the marinas, then the Formula, I know it's classier and more family friendly and 5 years ago I would have taken the Formula second and the Fountain 3rd.

Drive them all and buy what you like and fits your needs best :)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bowtie:
[QB] I've done a lot of hull repairs to Formulas and I think the hull is their weakest link.

WOW theres a new one.
Take a good look at the Foutain, can you say... dated looking? Its odd looking, built for a man 5' nothing and his 6' girlfriend who knows little. Fountain owners buy them cause they are fast and can afford a hotel room as their cabin.
Stand up in a Poker Run in the fountain. I like my waist atleast below the top of the bolster. Who fits in those things on the Fountain anyways???
35 fountain = 3 foot beak, 3 foot platform = 29 feet!
Formula has all the right things, and better graphics. Have you ever seen standard graphics on them fountains. what are they thinking??? :confused:
Hey, there is beauty in every boat, I would be proud to own either. Sit in both, you'll know right away which is for you.
Oh Yeah the Formula is better in rougher water.
what do I know, I took a ride on a friends Baja tonight! :eek:

35 fountain in the calmer water
35 formula in the rough

ummmm a formula has that swim deck to so its really only a 32 hummmmmm.

Save 50,000$ by a 36 outlaw and take some real rough water at about 80 in 3-4footers(powerboat did it) :D :D

and its a true 36 as big as a 38 formula or fountain :D

A Beakboat on the Secret Formula...

Take the Beakboat any day - it's a better long term investment. I came about . this close to buying a 97 35 Beaker with twin Procharged 502's. True 97 MPH boat. 190 hrs. $100k. Hated to turn it down...broke my heart but it would have a pin in the butt to trailer.

:)

I think most folks would agree that both boats are very well built. If you're into speed, then the Fountain is for you. If you're into large cabin space, then the Formula is what you'll like.
However, You should look closely at how each company takes care of you after the sale. I'm not talking about the dealer, but the manufacturer.
I bought a 1999 fountain from a dealer with NO warranty. I have had several small thing go wrong, so I called Fountain. I spoke with their customer rep named BK. He has sent everything I have ever asked for totally free of charge. I haven't even had to pay shipping. I asked BK why they were so go about taking care of people who purchased used Fountains and his answer surprised me. He said, "We know we are in a nitch market and the only way to stay in business is to take care of anyone who purchases our boats. 100% period."
I like that kind of suport. Formula may be as good too, but I would find out from them before making any decisions. For me...it will be a Fountain. Good luck.

Gig

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?

:cool: :cool:

I have a friend who purchaced a 29' Fountain had to drill a hole for the sink cabnet to correct a plumming problem (Lime fom margaritas down the grain). Much to my suprise the sink cabnet was 7/8" ply plus fiber glass coated on both sides!!. This boat is quality from the get go plus speed. My next boat will be a Fountain. Sign me up for the Black Shirt and gold chains!!!! It may be short but "Fast things come in small packages"!!!!

Try to demo both boats on the similiar type of water you will be boating on. Rough water blasts and mid RPM cruising are completely different in both hulls.

Despite the adrennaline rush of riding wide open in rough water, the reality is most boating is done in a cruising range of 3400 to 4000 rpm.

The padded & stepped hull of the fountain can be a little harsher on re-entry if not flown level and / or with enough throttle.

We all should have such a difficult decision - do i want the blond or the brunette - Good Luck!

I looked at both brands and voted with my checkbook - Formula (but it's a 38). I liked the "feel" of the boat better, both underway and at rest.

Free advice - Worth exactly what you pay for it! ;)

It's a tough choice but you can't go wrong either way. Personally, I agree with Otto and would get the Sutphen.

mike

Remember...friends don't let friends buy Fountains :D :D

I personally agree with Vonbongo. I choose the Playboy and love it. Check it out at GCOffshore The Formula's seem to handle rough water well in the F2 races. Which is proced lower?

Both are great boats, I have a 2001 27, my cousin has a 1999 25 Formula, I have spent plenty of time on each. It really depends on what you want. With Fountain you get speed :D every boat is blue printed and usually tested by Reggie himself for a few hours dialing it in, different props and such. As for hull size the beak is only about 12" and both have a swim platform. Plus I love how Fountains sticks out in the middle of the water.

Both are great, but if you want to be the center of attention, (like I do) Buy Fountain. :D Plus girls always loose their tops on a Fountain, :eek: or maybe thats just my boat ;)

Hey Brad, sweet ride. Does that cig have the new twin steps? What's the top end?

Since I'm now a Fountain owner, I say go for the Fountain. I dig speed. If you're a "cabin boy" :p , then buy the Formula.

Both are nice...BUT !!
I believe the Formula does hold resale better, at least "inland" it does. I am constantly getting offers to buy my boat
(Formula 252SS-Procharged), but my friends Fountain gets no offers??? In the Fountain, there is hardly any storage space (only under the rear seat and coupled with the small cabin, you have a problem when taking several people out for the day, with "where do we put all this stuff!!". Not so, with a Formula ! Besides, I have plenty of speed (75mph gps) and the ride of a Formula.

Bottom line...ride it, drive it, buy what fits YOUR LIFE STYLE & how you will use it. Remember, you can only run WOT a little while! The rest is just 'Cruisin' !! :cool:

Mach1Shorty ,
The boat is a twin step. With a good chop, labbbed prop's it will do about 83 on my lake. The boat is really impressive on rough water capability. Everyone feels safe and it fly's straight.

Are you confused :confused: :confused: yet???? I don't know anything about either boat first hand, just what I've read and heard. Maybe talk to Sean at Dick Simon Marine. He has lots of seat time in both I'm sure. Good luck.

THANKS GUYS FOR ALL THE REPLYS. IT IS A HARD CHOICE.........