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!!

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.