New Boat Purchase
 

I AM NEW TO OSO. I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT PURCHASING A BOAT A 27'-29' FORMULA OR A 27'-29' FOUNTAIN. I HAVE OWNED 2 FORMULAS AND HAVE BEEN VERY SATISFIED. I HAVE ALSO WANTED A FOUNTAIN SINCE I USE TO WATCH REGGIE RACE, I HAVE BEEN AMAZED AT THE PRODUCT THAT THEY PUT OUT. I HAVE BEEN NERVOUS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FINANCIAL PROBLEMS THAT FAUNTAIN IS UNDER, MERCRUISER INVESTING MONEY TO BAIL THEM OUT.

ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS OR DRAWBACKS TO EITHER COMPANY OR BOAT MODELS

Have you looked at Powerplay or Sonic
I have a Sonic for sale and a Powerplay
the Sonic is a 31ss 2002 and the Powerplay is a 1998
The Powerplay is on boats for sale .
And the Sonic is in classifieds it is the only 2002
If you need anything you can pm me.
Dave or call 770-827-7612

The Powerplay is a 28 . A true 28.

I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT EITHER ONE OF THEM, WHAT ARE THEY LIKE?

They are both great boats and will run in any water.
You need to look at the pictures that I have put out there. I have had Fountains and lots of power boats and I think the Sonic &Powreplay are great .

I'm on my fourth Formula, they're great boats. Formula number 3 was a 271 that I currently have for sale. Check her out - she needs a good home. Fountains tend to be a little faster, but its hard to beat the quaility of a Formula.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...threadid=67374

Welcome to the board

Are you looking at new or used?

HIT YOUR CAP LOCKS BUTTON OFF WILL YA:D :D

Just kidding, welcome to the board;)

Sonic makes a great boat and I have a nice 28 for sale.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...threadid=63984

Since Fountain just got that 18 million dollar loan, I wouldn't be concerned with their financial status.

Yet. :D

Forumlas quality is hard to beat and the primary reason the Fountain is faster is because it's smaller and lighter. My 357 Formula is as big if not bigger than a 38' Fountain. Had Formulas in the fmaily for 21 years so i'm biased. But, i can certainly attest to Formula's quality, reliability, comfort and support. But, if you just want to go fast and aren't going to use the cabin much then Fountain is for you.

another question about engines, 502, 500, or 525. being that the 502 block is discontinued. how reliable are they. is larger better, faster, cost conscious.

Nato

Both are great boats, Don't worry about company stability, both have been around for a while and are well established.

As for the two boats the formula is going to ride better, but will be slower. Depends on what you want?

As for motors, I have the 500efi and love it, however if I was going to buy a new boat I would go with the 525efi, I really like the closed cooling on them.

WILL;)

I like the 500efi or the new 496ho mag.

in the fountains how much space is lost in the nose, is it significant

You will lose about 1 .1/2 feet plus the platform.
The 28 powerplay is bigger then a 29 Fountain.
Lets talk Dave .Plus I have a 25 outlaw too for sale .
770-827-7612

are the 28' pantera boats very good, i know it is a small company and they have made just over 500 boats since '76. everything is custom right?

Yes they are custom boats, each one is ordered. For some reason I like the small boat manufactors, I think that if you do your research you will find that it is the small things that count. Quality control is much better because the owner is most of the time one of the builders. They are kind of putting there name on it, and it only take a few bad ones and your ruined in this industry. It is also kind of nice to not see 10 other boats like yoours in one day on the water. If I had to choose between these three I would serious look at Pantera.

In that size go with the 28 Joker. Best boat made in that size range with speed of a 21 and performance of a 36

I think the overall quality on the Formula is much better. The Formula has nicer "appointments". It is a larger boat than the "equivilent" Fountain, and thus will not be quite as fast. In rough water, the Formula will give you a little more comfortable ride. Unless the last mph is the most important factor I would without question go with the Formula. As others have said, some of the other boats mentioned above are great rides.

I have a 35 classic and love it. However, I know a guy who purchased a new 29 Fountain with I think a 496 mag. For some reason they are running the 1.65 gear ratio in the 29's with a 32 pitch prop and it is just a total pig on fuel economy. He told me how much it cost him in gas to get from point A to point B and it was just as much as my boat with twin 500's

This guy actually drives an extra 45 minutes to put his boat in at a boat ramp that is closer to the hang-out spot because it costs him so much to drive there in his boat. If the 29 you are looking at has the 1.65 gears I'd really get an accurate estimate of it's fuel consumption before you buy it.

And if you are considering a new boat, my 2 cents of advice would be to not look for a new boat but rather buy a used but bigger 3 to 5 year old boat.