Wow you are very rare here because as of late I never heard anyone going from CC boat with OB's to Sportboat with I/O's - for the past 5 years it has been Sportboat going to CC boat & outboards or Pontoon boats with outboards or Wakeboard boats with V- drives . I am glad someone is changing in this direction but very rare currently.

Actually, the trend is coming around. I have three close friends and know 3 others in NJ who have sold their CCs or cruisers and got back into performance boats.

I don't know if they'll be as fast as a Fountain, but here's a couple single engine boats in the 27-29 range...

http://longisland.craigslist.org/bod/5112524853.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/boa/5076378493.html

Consider expanding to a Formula 271 FASTech with a HP500 15hrs on rebuild. Steady 65 GPS numbers.

Look for a 29 2003 or newer I believe thats when they went to the bigger step, Go for a 500 efi or 525efi, get 525 if your able They say to change valvesprings at 250 hours, Other than that make sure the headers are tested, regular maint, Don't drive it like a moron and you should be good for at least 500 hrs. This package will run 75 to 80mph, Has a much larger and better layed out interior and cabin, And will out run the 27 with the same power. Good luck in your purchase. I have owned a 29 for 6 years now and am very happy with if I can answer any questions let me know.

If you post around what your looking to spend, we can help find the boats to consider. Depending on year, engine, hours and condition, there is a big range in price. I'd say from the $40-$80k range. Late model boats are rare '06-'08 and are more available '00-'05.

Can't give you any personal info on Fountain, but just wanted to say "Welcome". You will find this site to have extensive knowledge resources and lots of camaraderie.

couple more things I missed on first post, Fuel capacity on the 27 is 50 or 60 gallons the 29 will hold 130 gal, I hear a lot of complaining from 27 owners about small tank cap. The 29 is slow to get on plane with the single, high x dimension and pad, helps midrange en topend. Twin smallblocks nice pkg, but unless you need them for safety (open waterrunning) a little slower than the 525 and twice the maint, harder to get at more fuel usage, set much lower in the water at stern at rest or slow speed. Twin big blocks (older pkg) should run strong, But extremely tail heavy very little freeboard at transom when at rest. good luck with your purchase

I just re-read the opening post and I want to be like 'uluru' when I am in my 70's.

Has owned many different boats over the years
Kids are grown up and doesn't need the practicality of a cc
Keeping his smaller boat for fishing
Wife doesn't really want to go boating anymore
Wants a Fountain sports boat just to have a bit of fun with and burn up some fuel
Doesn't need massive performance but wants the wow factor with a bit of speed and exhaust noise
Probably happy to pay someone else to do the maintenance but I bet he'll do most of the cleaning

Good luck uluru (not an Aussie by any chance?) sounds like a great plan.

RR

You should contact Peter Roberts at Double R Performance and Jim Earl of Jim Earl Marine. both are brokers in Orilia and can answer your questions and point you in the right direction. Peter is well known and respected in Canada and USA and Jim used to be a Fountain dealer. I've had very positive experience with both. PM me if you wish to talk and I'll send you my #. Good luck on your search.