Switching from CC to HP Fountain
 

I was directed to this sight from my friends at The Hull Truth
I presently own a 29' 1999 Fountain CC with twin 200hp 2 strokes which I will sell.

I am thinking of switching to a Fountain Fever 27' or 29'
Not so much a "need for speed" as my CC will run all day in the 30s or low 40s but I have stopped fishing on Lake Ontario.
I fish in a small 16' Lund on the smaller remote northern Ontario lakes for bass, walleye and pike.
More relaxing and away from the busy activity of the Toronto area.

The reason for this post is to obtain some info about the high performance boating arena.
I am not really concerned about real high speed and would prefer low maintenance over the speed issue hence, I would be happy with the Black Motors as opposed to the Blue..
I have had 36', 29', 28', 26', and 25' cruisers when the kids were growing up. Also many PWCs
My wife does not like boating any more so I just want something to run around the lake a bit on a nice afternoon and a cuddy
to crash in overnight if I have a few pops at the boat club after being on the water.
I am in my 70s and likely this will be called mid life or old life crisis - lol - but so be it. Why do it? Because I can.
Space is not a big issue in the cockpit.
Looking at around a 2000+ year boat in excellent condition, low hours or reworked engine(s)

I know the above is a long diatribe but what advice can you go fasters provide me with respect to the 27' Fever over the 29' Fever.
Twin 496's in a 29' has also peaked my interest.

Comments please

Bob

Twins in that size boat are very, VERY difficult to work on. That goes for you or your mechanic.

The 29' single engine with a 500EFI or 525EFI is a great package. The 29' Fountain is even a few ticks faster than the 27' Fountain with identical power. Over time, the 29 has had a few more tweaks to it's bottom since it is seen on the race course more often than the 27.

This just popped up in the classifieds recently as well:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...rs-o62686.html

I was thinking that you may want to stay with outboard power, maybe a CC with a Cuddy Cabin and twins. I know that I will definitely go outboard or possibly diesel. Working on Inboard/outdrive sucks more as I get older. (had a sea pump impeller go out at the boat ramp Saturday) one hour of thrashing in 98 degree temps. Then we got rained on for an hour on a day that was not supposed to rain.

Made up for it Sunday with a 62 mile round tip on the PWC's[ATTACH=CONFIG]543365[/ATTACH]

The 29 Fountain is a great boat. Probably the fastest single engine production vee around. Handles good and forgiving.

I've got one with a 575 and run low 80s. I've talked to others with similar size boats that are actually lighter and yet are slower.

If you like the wrap around windshield they made a few in 1998 &1999 they have anchor locker up front and built in swim ladder at rear. I think by 2003 they were all wrap around windshield

The one Sydwayz posted would be a good one, a single closed cooled 496 has to be just as reliable as a two stroke outboard.
Also being a single easy to work on.
That style will have both a anchor locker and swim step off the back.

You're going to miss your hardtop to keep you out of the sun.

I also noticed the one Sydwayz linked. Not many were built with the 496, a few with twin small blocks advertised and some with single blue motor.
From what you wrote, a 496 would get you adequate speed, probably a little shy of 70, reliability, economy and low maintenance. What more could you ask for?

I am in the same boat as you, figuratively speaking, trying to sell my Fountain cc and considering a Fountain sports boat. The 29 has loads of appeal and I think a 496 powered 29 would be a great manageable boat. There are so many boats available in that size range, stay with a popular brand (like you have) and buy as late a model with low hours that fits your budget.

Enjoy your (lateish) midlife crisis in a Fountain, because you can!

RR

That's certainly debatable. Then there's those boats that are larger, yet faster.

I actually like 29 Fountains but couldn't let that go. :party-smiley-004:

I wasn't counting the race boats and that was for its time, and before the OL 29 was around.

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.

Might be a bit older than you want but I have a 1993 Formula SR1 271 for sale on Kijji in Ontario. It is very stock with the Magnum and a bravo drive but only about 350 hours on it. http://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-mot...rc=topAdSearch I might be interested in trade plus cash for yours as I am looking to go CC for our next boat.

Hi All
Thanks for responding to my thread. Just like The Hull Truth site.
Lots of good information and tremendous responses. All very helpful and will be useful in considering my next steps.
rak rue you summed my position up very succinctly.
greg800 I have been on Double R's website and I have met Jim Earle over the years boating in Georgian Bay.
I will PM you
Thanks again all for your responses.

Uluru if your looking for a late model 29', PM if your really interested in buying. My boats not up for sale, but would consider it if it worked for both of us. I'm having my 3rd back surgery and was planning stepping up in size if it bothered me after I recover? If not, good luck with your search. I've been extremely happy with my boat and would buy another Fountain any day.

Can someone direct me to a site where I can determine the dry weight of a Fountain 27' Fever vs. a 29' Fever with the single 525 motor?
Or better yet do one of the members of this site have the information
After all my analysis this is the direction I am headed and I am now looking at the towing weight issue.

I will be towing the boat with a 2014 Chevy Silverado High Country 1500 with a 5.3 litre V8 automatic with a 3.42 rear axle ratio.
The truck tows my 29' Centre Console, which supposedly has a dry weight of 5,500 lbs., with no problem although not as easily as my 2011 GMC 2500 Diesel did.
Most tows will be shorter and not like when I towed the boat back and forth to the Keys from Oakville, ON. with my 2500.

Thanks for the assistance.

I know I'm pretty close if I recall, 4,900 and 5,800 respectively.

Might depend on year but my 2004 is 5850 dry and I tow it with a Ford Expedition with a 9200 lb tow capacity.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...51041ba8f6.jpg

The boat. The name is not on it yet Just some photo shopping.

Nice buy! I understand the age thing as well, have had thoughts of selling the 35 I have now and picking up a 29 single just for the ease of use. The 29 Fever is without a doubt the best choice for a single engine Fountain. Bravo! Enjoy!

Ragged Edge
This one has twins
454 MAG MPI 385 hp each