The 29' Fountain with 525 is a great boat - and likely fastest and most efficient in it's class.

Sorry..........I disagree. Factory support for a "2nd" Fountain owner is non existent, and a "2nd" Formula owner..........well the factory it has all records, build specs and normally spare parts or solutions for repairs. :D:D

So......"Well Fountain is not dead because they didn't sell any boats or were not well liked." I guess they sold so many boats that they went out of business?

Sure and Formula will likely also totally restore your boat if you bring it to them. But do you use that support. Don't you just gets the local marina to work on or update your old boat or better still one of the better shops that are well known for doing repairs/restorations/updates?

I'm not a Fountain guy, I don't know or care who sold more boats Fountain or Formula but I know there are tons of Fountains out there and their owners like them for a number of good reasons, Further the boats complete construction is well known enough that you don't need factory support to repair one.

Fountain factory is still in business and still has all the records. Parts can still be ordered through them. Happens all the time. Also another thing is everyone says fountains are light. I'd love to see data on this as they aren't as light as some of you make them out to be.

On another note fountain actually glasses the deck and hull. Formula doesn't. Screws, thru bolts every 4th or so and "caulk" or plexus. Fountain is a much better riding hull and I've owned a formula and only ridden in fountains.

nonsense,a good strong bond between deck and hull is overrated,lol

I do not know your budget, but you can get a Nice 271 Sr1 (pre Fastech stepped hull) for a good price.

My Formula 271 93 uppgraded with a 2009 496 HO so far 61 mph, I am sure there are a couple of mph more to gain when
I got BBlades to dial in my prop. If you can live with 63 - 65 mph top speed go for the 271 ;-)

If you buy a 271 Fastech with a Merc 525 does 72 gps mph

Fountain will be faster even the 29 with 525 out run the Formula, so if speed is your priority no 1, go with the beak ;-)

If you want a real boat. 28 PANTERA. theres a nice black one in the OSO classifieds

Ps Mine is not for sale, happy owner and would stick with this boat for a while ;-) ;-)

I was in the same situation . I limited myself to a Fountain or Formula 27. I found a dealer that had both side by side and compared . The Formula is a much larger boat. The outside cockpit size of a 27 Fountain is ridiculously small. If you have any size to you, getting behind the wheel is tight. A 27 fountain was out of the question. The Formula 271 is equal to the size of a 29 Fountain actually may be slightly larger. If you are actually going to use your boat get the Formula or 29 Fountain. A big plus for the Formula is that the only thing that is wood in the boat is the transom. Fountain is all wood construction. A fountain is roughly 3-4 miles per hour faster with the same power. Not a big deal. I don't know what you are looking to spend but I am thinking of selling my Formula Fastech 27. It is a true 85mph boat full of fuel and passengers (715hp). Boat is beyond mint condition with a bunch of custom stuff. Send me a PM if interested. Jeff Wurl

Formula customer service is fantastic.

Get the one that makes you smile the most :)