29 Fever or 292 FasTech ??
 

Hi Guys, hopefully this won't start a bad vibe, I just need some advise from the experts & plan on becoming an offshore owner real soon.
I'm on my 9th boat in 20 years & always wanted a performance boat.

This boat would serve duty in the Pacific NW as both a family (dad,mom,2 kids) day runner & also weekend fun run boat w/ the buddies. I need it to wear both hats...

Anyway I need some opinion on the following 2 boats that I have narrowed it down to, any opinions would be great:

2003 Fountain 29 Fever w/525 & XR drive

2003 Formula 292 FasTech w/ twin 6.2's & Bravo 1's.

Both boats are in inventory & both have Latham steering.

Both are within 5k in price.

I am tossed between the fact that although these are both considered "offshore runners" they are 2 different animals.

Help me you pros!

I had a 29' Fountain, very fast . But If I were choosing between these two boats now I would pick the Formula. I think it would be better suited for both roles you are trying to fill, Plus if you are out in the ocean its nice to have twins, just in case. You can also get a 5 year warranty on those 6.2's in the Formula. Good Luck

Kirk

If the price is within 5K of each other I would go with the Formula.....just a personal preference.

Pure,,, until you ride and drive both yourself,, youll be basing your decision on somebody else's word!!!!!!

Run and Ride in Both ,,,, Please,,,, before you Buy!!!


You are laying down the Cash,, no-one Else!!!

Where are you gonna boat?

Ocean = twins. No question. If one breaks, you can still get to shore.

Otherwise, it depends. If both of you are happy with the Fountain, remember that it will cost half as much to make it go faster.

Thanks for the replys so far guys.

Man, I like the Fever & the 525 is a rocket in that boat. I drove it at 81 mph on the GPS Gaffrig & it was awesome. Thought the deal was done.

Then came along the Formula, a little more room in the cabin & the thought of long awaited twins.

And the thought of reliabilty on the 6.2's vs. the 525.

But also the easier maintenance on only one motor vs. two.
I know the Fever would be faster & but I also like the idea of a 5 year warranty on the FasTech vs. a 1 year on the Fever.

It's been back & forth for me for a week & I'm losin' sleep & hair too.

Anyway, thanks for opinions, keep em' coming & I'll soon join you all as an offshore owner.

Thanks,

Mark D

I cannot talk about the Formula but I had a 29 Fountain and you could drop that thing off a five storie building and it wouldn't hurt it. Some of the hits I took with it in the ocean felt like that, ran it for 5 years boat is tough as nails!!!

Before you buy any Formula You need to talk to Magicfloat from here He is the #1 Formula dealership in the USA talk to him first. Do a post paging Magicfloat/ Nelems marine

Keep in mind the 29 Fountain is not 29 ft boat. It's a 27 footer with a beak!!:D :D

Two friends of mine (brothers) each bought 292's. One with the 6.2's. The other had Scorpions. Nelem's sold them both. Great dealership. When the boat with the Scorpions went for sale I passed. Never considered a Fountain. Bought a Sonic 31SS instead. Better amenities. Shore power, A/C, refrig., seperate head, etc.

You need to prioritize your needs and pull the trigger.

Good Luck. It was a tough decision for me but when the right boat comes along you will know it.

Madcow the Formula is only 28 w/ the platform;) and how big is that plat form on Sonics;)

Anyway, for fun/performance/maint. the Fountain will have it hands down, but if you are going to be loading it down with people, gear and "Family" depending on your family you may be better off with the Formula. Plus as noted earlier if you are going in the ocean, twins is nice.

WILL:p

I have a 271 formula, great boat. The 29 is even better with the twins! I looked at both and the fountain had a smaller cabin, and was harder to get into with the bolster seat right in front of the door. Also keep in mind with twins the boat sems to land more even. You will not experience the prop pull effect of a single motor. As far as the maintenance after yor change the plugs once you will get the hang of it. My opinion is it is very hard to beat formulas 5 year warranty. Any problem(hardly any) I had they fixed no questions asked. My 2cents

Boy, now that is a tough question. Many things that have been said are true. What suits the needs of you, your family etc best. There are a couple of things to consider with regard to power, access to plugs aside. Keep in mind that twins means that there are two sets of everything to break. No a plus or minus, just another thing to consider. Both have their finer points and draw backs for sure. Formula is top notch in fit & finish. No doubt about it. They also take more power per foot to attain the same speed. I think both are good boats. If outright speed and performance were the overriding factors I would have to say the Fountain. But with family and performance being important, I think I would lean toward the boys from Decatur. I have a Formula in addition to the Skater and it is a TOP QUALITY boat, no doubt about it.

Comes down to where your boating, the ocean. If one motor/drive fails in the Formula, you can still get home. If the Fountain breaks, your stuck, out on the open ocean, and there is nothing worse other than sinking or on fire. It's scarey.Now figure what SeaTow will charge to come get you. Figure $ 400.00 absolute minimum, I've know guys who've paid $ 900.00 to get towed in. The first time you get stuck out in the open ocean, you'll be praying for the hassle of working on twins. Trust me on this, I know. I won't go out of the sight of land on a single engine boat. No way, no how. Spent 14 hours on a buddy's single once in Gulf of Mexico. WAS NOT FUN. Too bad the 377 Scorpions are so much friggin money. Then you'd have apples and apples speed wise. Plus, the Formula is a much higher quality built boat. My two cents anyway...

Forgot, docking manuvers with twins (counter-roatating) is a breeze compared with a single. Night and day difference. You can parallel park a boat with twins, never touching the steering wheel. All done with the shifters.

The other thing to consider if buying expensive blue paint knaws at you like it does most of us. Buy the Formula with black power, i.e. 502 efi's and have a QUALITY engine builder build you turn key naturally aspirated 650 to 700hp motors. It is easily done by an engine builder with the right know how. There is a gentleman here in upstate NY that is well known but does not advertise. I have never met him nor spoke with him, but I do know countless people that rave about him and his reliability. Just something to consider. This will enhance performance, maintain reliability and save you some bucks as well.

Formula
 

Go for the Formula and put Whipples on those 6.2's.

That baby will FLY! :D

Oh, Just go buy that Pantera you've really been wanting...:D

Formula: top build quality/fit/finish, 5-year warranty, built like a tank, and twins.

As far as maintenance, short of a staggered arrangement, most twins are a pain in the a_s to work on in a narrow beam boat, regardless of manufacturer.

Fountain is a nice ride, but what would the economics be of a twin small block boat comparable to the Formula?

In terms of resale, I wouldn't expect a problem selling either boat. But, who knows what the future market will be.

If it has to be one of those two...
I'll take that Fountain over the Formula any day.

Just do yourself a favor and speak with Magicfloat before you do anything

Mark, I'm sure all these replys will make it much easier for you to sleep.;)

Don't you think that's a bit harsh Mike?

I looked at a new 292 fastech at Daryl moore marine, was a sweet machine, the fountain is also a very nice boat, the choice is yours to make, ride in the formula and see what you think? if you are running in the ocean neither boat has a lot of freeboard to it, drop the bolsters down and see were the edge of the boat is while you are standing, you might look into a bigger boat like a 32 fountain are a 31 formula, but if not you can not do wrong with either choice

Actually I think Reggie would tower over Mr Porter.

Formula designed the 292 from a clean sheet of paper for twin small blocks only, for some of us that wanted a twin small block 271 but they said the center of gravity was wrong for twins in a 271. When Factory 1 looked like a good class they built a few single engine raceboats with no cabin. They tell me a pleasure version 292 with full cabin and single big block would also have the center of gravity wrong and I trust them on that.If you want a single, the 271 is a great boat,twins, the 292 is a great boat. And the 29 Fountain is also a great boat,single or twin.It is your money and your choice. Different stokes for different folks.You would not be unhappy with either,IMHO

I have taken a 292 Formula 2002 in trade Twin 350 Mags call me I want it gone Kenny 407-402-0300

Thanks again for all your replies fellas, I know that passion runs deep when it comes to branding.

It would be an easier decision if they were the same manufacturer & a choice between twins or a single.

I spent an hour with the Formula today, took about 45 digital pics so I can study the night away.

I like the cabin room in the Formula, fit & finish, twins & helm position, as I am 6'4" & need room. I have been told the Formula will do 69, maybe 70 WOT.

But driving home I remember that incredible feeling of being behind the helm of the Fever & looking down at the Gaffrig pointing past 80........Really trips my trigger, along with the sound of that 525 to complete the picture.

My boating will be mostly inland salt water, as in Puget Sound. Kicks up out there but not open ocean. I look forward to day trips up to the Islands & perhaps into Canada, that's my goal.

I appreciate the comments, as although I am a seasoned lifelong boater, I am new to offshore style performance.

My land lovin' hobbies have been past President of NW GTO Legends GTO club, restoration, drag racing & enjoyment of Pontiac GTO's & muscle cars. Got a 430hp GTO Judge & 512hp GTO, so it's only natural to step into this kind of boating.
Maintenance should not be an issue as I turn wrenches..

Both these boats are so cool, I still toss the coin over & over this weekend..........

Thanks guys!

Poker Runs America mag did an article on the 292. They clocked the boat at 73 with twin 6.2's.

After you have a boat with twins, you won't consider one with a single. I have both and the 17' single is more of a P.I.T.A. docking than my 31 w/twins. It would be very hard to choose 70mph over 80mph though. The only answer is to buy both boats!

Re: 29 Fever or 292 FasTech ??
 

I drove the 292 last summer at a Formula Rendevous. It was a great ride!! Between my family and my wife's we are on our 6th Formula and keep going back for more!!

Re: 29 Fever or 292 FasTech ??
 

Sunsation Sunsation Sunsation

Re: 29 Fever or 292 FasTech ??
 

I have owned both boats if you want to go fast buy the fountain,if you want comfort an the best ride buy the formula. I am on my second formula and its 312fastec and absolutely love it but it is all personal preference. My boat came from magic float and I would advice you talk with him before you do any thing he usually has one or two in stock.

Re: 29 Fever or 292 FasTech ??
 

VERY TRUE :D

Re: 29 Fever or 292 FasTech ??
 

This thread is 12 months old .I am sure he has bought a boat by now?