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Originally Posted by 88bullet
(Post 3792271)
from a mechanical standpoint i would go with the baja for what you intend to do with the boat. way less hours and the 496 will be a little easier on the outdrive when your doing the holeshots pulling up your knee boarder and ski'ers. i dont think the high x deminsion 500hp bravo fountian will like that too much over time. if your gonna go do poker runs or set the river on fire then go with the fountian. the baja might stay on plane at lower speeds also for tubing purposes. there are some guys on here with videos tubing and skiing behind a fountian but thats not what the boat is intended for by any means but it can be done.
However, the larger k-planes give the advantage to the 29 for slow ride on plane! hahaha |
Originally Posted by Full Force
(Post 3792328)
I think floating a 33. Baja and a 42 staggard fountain are two completely different worlds...
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between those boats id take the fountain. its better equipped, its surely faster, by time you mod the baja you might be able to keep up with that fountain. Id drop the tabs down and go tubing no problem. I would look at a nordic heat for what you want may be a better fit than either of these boats, especially with mcob.
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After reading this entire post,seeing the boats, & prices I would agree that a plane ticket & driving both boats would be in order. Who knows after actually riding in & driving both you might not like either as much as you do looking at & comparing pictures. Dont forget the wife or significant other either that could make or break a deal too. Randy
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Originally Posted by MILD THUNDER
(Post 3792334)
I agree, but you wouldn't think so the way some of the oso members in fairytail land speak of Fountains. A 42 Fountain is really like a 35FT boat aint it?? :bong:
. me personally in this market I would have a hard time spending 50,000 plus on ANY single engine boat, but thats me... so many deals out there and usually you want to upgrade after a couple years, so I avoid that and get as much as I can at the time with what I got to spend!! |
I agree, seems like a bunch of money for the size and performance. IMO the size of the cabin for most people doesn't matter. My cabin holds the cooler, rafts, life jackets, people when you get caught in the rain, my 2 year old for a nap, and is a good place to keep amps dry. These boats are not made for watersports, but I have skied behind a couple mid 20's offshore boats, it sucks. I like the fact you want to get into an offshore boat but I don't think it will do what you want. Like someone else said, buy a waverunner to tube behind.
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I had a 2000, 27' Fountain with a 502. Great boat, loved the ride and the performance. Ran 72 with a labbed prop. Sold the 27 and moved up to a 2004, 29' Fountain with a 500hp. A lot better ride and a little faster. More room in the cockpit and the cabin. Super nice boat. Used both boats for minium watersports but these boats really are not made for watersports. Once you get on the water in a performance boat you will probably get bit by the speed bug and drop the watersports. I did....The 29 was a great boat but in my opinion, it is borderline, to big for a single engine and to small for twins. The reason I say this is because it was a little sluggish getting on plane with full fuel, people and gear, and I tried all kinds of props to make it better and I always thought it was sluggish. Then, I decided to move up in size and started to look at 30 to 32' footers with twins. I looked and rode in a Baja, not a very good ride, just seemed to heavy and pounded the water. I looked at a 32 sunsation, didn't ride in it, didn't want to. It had a tight cockpit and a small cabin. The engine compartment was so tight it looked like the boat was built around them. The cabin seats didn't have much padding and the interior just looked cheap. I drove 7 hours to look at the sunsation, didn't like the boat, very disappointed, drove 7 hours back home. It just wasn't what I expcted. After looking at a lot of boats and talking to a lot of people, I decided to look only at Fountains, nothing else. I bought a 35' Fountain Lightning with twin 500's and I never been happier!
When it comes to performance boats,,,,You get what you pay for!!! Just my 2 cents............. |
Originally Posted by scarabman
(Post 3792103)
And is the picture you posted of an 03 29? A friend of mine had an early 2000s 29 and I seem to remember not being able to really stand behind the bolsters as they were close to the rear bench
Every 29 I've seen have alot of room between the bolsters and rear bench seat. Perhaps you are thinking of a 27 or 32, which both do have less room. Can't imagine tubing or such behind the Fountain. |
Originally Posted by US1 Fountain
(Post 3792547)
Every 29 I've seen have alot of room between the bolsters and rear bench seat. Perhaps you are thinking of a 27 or 32, which both do have less room.
Can't imagine tubing or such behind the Fountain. Or maybe his friend has been telling every one his 27 is a 29, hence increasing the urban legend about the beak adding length! |
Good stuff... thanks for the input and comments.. i must say i didn't know the resale value was so good on the baja's.. " sold 10% less than what you paid for it " I do have a jet ski that can pull the tube and knee board however i was trying to kill two birds with one stone and get a performance family boat.. It is kind of a pain taking the jet ski and boat out at the same time and having to clean them up both after using them.. Thanks again everyone..
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Family performance boat = Formula SS
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I wouldnt buy either....to me that (and most) Fountain is fugly. They are a love/hate boat either you dig the looks or you hate them. I hate....looks out dated, air scoops are hideous. Fountains are very well built and perform well...but I cant get over the appearance.
The baja is a baja....everyone has one. Nothing wrong with that...I just would rather have something a littel more elite. |
Originally Posted by tnc110
(Post 3792689)
I wouldnt buy either....to me that (and most) Fountain is fugly. They are a love/hate boat either you dig the looks or you hate them. I hate....looks out dated, air scoops are hideous. Fountains are very well built and perform well...but I cant get over the appearance.
The baja is a baja....everyone has one. Nothing wrong with that...I just would rather have something a littel more elite. Its funny that you say that, because I dislike the rounded style of a powerquest, donzi type. I do however like the donzi zr style. |
Everyone has their likes and dislikes on looks, some say fountains have a outdated look, but cigs are "timeless" because they pretty much have had the same look for 30 years,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I have heard the same about the Fountain dashes, they are flat and boring, but no one brings that up about a CAT with a flat dash. Drive both, buy what you like. |
Originally Posted by Wildman_grafix
(Post 3792725)
Drive both, buy what you like.
We bought our 26 OL new and have put almost 350 hours on it so far. Has been a good fit for what we wanted it for, and the 496 has been absolutely turn key reliable. If I had it to do over again I still would have bought it. It isn't much for tubing though....or really any sort of tow sports. Doable, but if that's important to you I'd be looking for a different type of boat. |
Originally Posted by US1 Fountain
(Post 3792547)
Every 29 I've seen have alot of room between the bolsters and rear bench seat. Perhaps you are thinking of a 27 or 32, which both do have less room.
Can't imagine tubing or such behind the Fountain. I just went from a 97 Baja 252 to a 98 32 Fever last week. (both with 502 Mags). It's a big jump in size, but I tried 32 and 33 Outlaw/Calibers, and Did find that the ride is quite a bit harsher in the Baja. The Fountain cuts through chop, while the Baja kinda 'slaps' down on top of waves. Also, my brother has a 25OL with a 496HO, and my cousin has a 29OL with twin 502s, and I can walk away from them at will as far as top speed goes. And it's quite a bit more stable to boot. Also, build quality on the Fountain is worlds away from the Baja. The Fountain FEELS like a 6 figure boat, even when you're sitting still. I've had several Bajas before the beak boat, and they ARE good boats. One of the issues I did have is that they are pretty much the Chevy of boat builders. Lots of shortcuts taken in build quality and rigging, and you can pretty much gaurantee that you will see a copy (or 2) of your boat if you go to any good sized lake. I really enjoyed my Bajas, but after getting the fountain, I don't think I'll go back. Yes, the Baja will have more cabin space, but honestly, how much are you going to use it? Mine pretty much just holds the cooler, floaties, and life jackets. I would definitely agree with otheres in this thread, and hop on a plane and go try them both out. |
I like the look of both boats if you plan on a lot of hours&going fast go Fountain!Less hours go with the Baja cool boat and less money!!Good luck!
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Bajas fast boat also 50 hours vrs 300 hours???Both nice get your best deal take that one!!
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I have a 27 fever and my father has a 29 fever we both couldn't be happier with them both, the ride is great and built very well and fountain has proven themselves by all the championships won and it would be hard for my father or I to buy something other than a Fountain
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Originally Posted by Greatguy66
(Post 3795506)
Bajas fast boat also 50 hours vrs 300 hours???Both nice get your best deal take that one!!
Tough decision to be made. |
I'm going to suggest what Full Force did and suggest you look at a Formula 260 SS. They are hands down built better than a Baja. Baja's are on the low end for Offshore boats in my opinion, I've never owned one but have been in a few and never was impressed by any of them. By this I mean their lay up isn't as good, rigging is poor, the vinyl and stitching is cheap the cockpits are sparse and as they age they start to rattle. Fountains are great boats for what they are meant for (going fast) but would make a terrible family boat. In a bolster boat you can't pivot the seat or sit sideways in them. Either you sit looking forward or you drop the seat and stand looking back. Also as others have stated if you plan on tubing, waterskiing or wake boarding a 29 foot boat is just to big. IMO i wouldn't use anything bigger than a 26 and thats pushing it.
I've owned a lot of boats and my favorite for hanging out in and pretty much everything else other than all out speed was my Formula 242 SS. Tons of room, great ride and went fast, but there were no bolsters which are nice if you're in big water. However, if your in an inland lake they are overkill and not needed at all and make lounging a PITA. Its all how you will use the boat. As to a Baja only losing 10% of it value. Either the original buyer got a smoking deal or the new buyer was smoking crack. Like I said before, Baja's are cheaply built boats and really don't last. Take a look at a 15 year old Baja, then compare that to a 15 year old Fountain or Formula. With typical use the Fountain will look better than the Baja and the Formula will look better than the Fountain. When buying your boat, buy one that fits how you will use it today, not how you will use it in the future. Modifying engines is expensive, and unless you're going to do a lot of work yourself, you're better off selling the boat and buying one that goes the speed you want from the start. |
Originally Posted by endeavour32
(Post 3799583)
I'm going to suggest what Full Force did and suggest you look at a Formula 260 SS. They are hands down built better than either a Baja or Fountain. Baja's are on the low end for Offshore boats in my opinion, I've never owned one but have been in a few and never was impressed by any of them. By this I mean their lay up isn't as good, rigging is poor, the vinyl and stitching is cheap the cockpits are sparse and as they age they start to rattle. Fountains are great boats for what they are meant for (going fast) but would make a terrible family boat. In a bolster boat you can't pivot the seat or sit sideways in them. Either you sit looking forward or you drop the seat and stand looking back. Also as others have stated if you plan on tubing, waterskiing or wake boarding a 29 foot boat is just to big. IMO i wouldn't use anything bigger than a 26 and thats pushing it.
I've owned a lot of boats and my favorite for hanging out in and pretty much everything else other than all out speed was my Formula 242 SS. Tons of room, great ride and went fast, but there were no bolsters which are nice if you're in big water. However, if your in an inland lake they are overkill and not needed at all and make lounging a PITA. Its all how you will use the boat. As to a Baja only losing 10% of it value. Either the original buyer got a smoking deal or the new buyer was smoking crack. Like I said before, Baja's are cheaply built boats and really don't last. Take a look at a 15 year old Baja, then compare that to a 15 year old Fountain or Formula. With typical use the Fountain will look better than the Baja and the Formula will look better than the Fountain. When buying your boat, buy one that fits how you will use it today, not how you will use it in the future. Modifying engines is expensive, and unless you're going to do a lot of work yourself, you're better off selling the boat and buying one that goes the speed you want from the start. I see you own a Formula which are good boats but really??? |
Originally Posted by rod2dknee
(Post 3792584)
Good stuff... thanks for the input and comments.. i must say i didn't know the resale value was so good on the baja's.. " sold 10% less than what you paid for it " I do have a jet ski that can pull the tube and knee board however i was trying to kill two birds with one stone and get a performance family boat.. It is kind of a pain taking the jet ski and boat out at the same time and having to clean them up both after using them.. Thanks again everyone..
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Originally Posted by endeavour32
(Post 3799583)
I'm going to suggest what Full Force did and suggest you look at a Formula 260 SS. They are hands down built better than either a Baja or Fountain. Baja's are on the low end for Offshore boats in my opinion, I've never owned one but have been in a few and never was impressed by any of them. By this I mean their lay up isn't as good, rigging is poor, the vinyl and stitching is cheap the cockpits are sparse and as they age they start to rattle. Fountains are great boats for what they are meant for (going fast) but would make a terrible family boat. In a bolster boat you can't pivot the seat or sit sideways in them. Either you sit looking forward or you drop the seat and stand looking back. Also as others have stated if you plan on tubing, waterskiing or wake boarding a 29 foot boat is just to big. IMO i wouldn't use anything bigger than a 26 and thats pushing it.
I've owned a lot of boats and my favorite for hanging out in and pretty much everything else other than all out speed was my Formula 242 SS. Tons of room, great ride and went fast, but there were no bolsters which are nice if you're in big water. However, if your in an inland lake they are overkill and not needed at all and make lounging a PITA. Its all how you will use the boat. As to a Baja only losing 10% of it value. Either the original buyer got a smoking deal or the new buyer was smoking crack. Like I said before, Baja's are cheaply built boats and really don't last. Take a look at a 15 year old Baja, then compare that to a 15 year old Fountain or Formula. With typical use the Fountain will look better than the Baja and the Formula will look better than the Fountain. When buying your boat, buy one that fits how you will use it today, not how you will use it in the future. Modifying engines is expensive, and unless you're going to do a lot of work yourself, you're better off selling the boat and buying one that goes the speed you want from the start. |
Originally Posted by boatnt
(Post 3799689)
I wish I had read this before I bought my Fountain...:lolhit:
I see you own a Formula which are good boats but really??? Yes a 242 SS with a 350 mag is a joke. That boat should have never been offered with a small block. Remember though a 242 is a 26 foot boat by todays standards. A 27 fountain isn't going to go fast either with a single 350. I don't know how in the world your boat had the transom rot out twice. I've owned 3 Formulas and out of the three the only rot I ever had to fix was the bulk head in front of the engine. Transoms have always been rock solid. And yes I edited my first post. I was typing fast and did really mean to slam Fountain and start a war with all the Fountain owners. |
You know boats are like sports teams. All have loyal followers. We live in the south and have a long season so we got 3 to do all we want when we want - ski/wakeboard/tube, fish, or go fast. Probably in that order now that the kids are getting older. Sometimes I use two in one day. Not sure why we had the transom rot on the 242 either. The shop said when sombody changed the pitot tube for the speedo they didn't seal the holes right. Another said, no, it came in throught your transom shield when you had a leaky bellows. So who knows? I just know it was damn expensive and pissed me off esp. when it rotted again in two years! Oh well, gone now and the three we have now are all specialized and do their functions well. I just try to tell people that very few boats do more than one thing well.
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I agree with your last post. I have 3 boats as well right now for that very reason. Even have a sailboat, although that is sold pending the survey. If you're a skier or snowboarder its like using race equipment to go in the half pipe or vice versa. This is why I really like the Formula SS boats, another swiss army boat would be some of the bigger Cobalts. Yes they are not going to be the fastest boat on the lake or the coolest looking but they do everything pretty well and are built very well and have very practical layouts. Can you imagine tubing behind a boat with dry exhaust or even dry to the tip?
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Originally Posted by endeavour32
(Post 3799913)
I was typing fast and did really mean to slam Fountain and start a war with all the Fountain owners.
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Originally Posted by rod2dknee
(Post 3791999)
Guys please help out here.. Any advice and input is greatly appreciated here.. Iam torn between what boat to purchase.. I am looking at a 2003 29 ft fountain fever with the 500 hp blue merc motor with 300 hours... Also i am looking at a 2008 26 ft Baja outlaw with the 496 HO motor with 50 hours... I am just wanting a family performance boat to go to the lake with... Just something to cruise up and down the lake and river in and maybe do some tubing and knee boarding behind... I would like to down the road to purchase some mods to increase speed on both boats a lil bit but nothing major:evilb::evilb:.. Im new to these types of boat so i dont know if these 2 boats are a fair comparison which is why im asking for input.. If you had the choice which of the 2 would you purchase.. Thanks and i look forward to everyones response here
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Originally Posted by endeavour32
(Post 3800097)
I agree with your last post. I have 3 boats as well right now for that very reason. Even have a sailboat, although that is sold pending the survey. If you're a skier or snowboarder its like using race equipment to go in the half pipe or vice versa. This is why I really like the Formula SS boats, another swiss army boat would be some of the bigger Cobalts. Yes they are not going to be the fastest boat on the lake or the coolest looking but they do everything pretty well and are built very well and have very practical layouts. Can you imagine tubing behind a boat with dry exhaust or even dry to the tip?
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Based on your plans, the Baja is the better choice 100%.
Boats are essentially the same size. low hours on the baja are a huge plus. I'd be willing to bet the hrs on that 500 in the fountain were HARD hours. It's a 10 year old boat likely in need of at least a top end rebuild. |
Originally Posted by On Time
(Post 3800205)
We like the little Sea Ray for runabout function and it was pretty close to the Cobalt for much less money. It has a 350MAG and Bravo 3 and gets 54mph! We use a big 800lb. Fat Sac, have a StarGazer speed control and wakeboard tower and the kids all love it. Came with an excellent Polk/MOMO stereo with two 10" subs.
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Originally Posted by endeavour32
(Post 3800271)
I've got a little Sea Ray as well, but its not even close to my buddies Cobalt in terms of fit, finish, ride quality, materials. The Sea Ray is a nice boat but its like comparing a Chevy to a BMW.
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One thing I did not see mentioned, and i may have missed it through all the biased comments.... do your prefer to stand up or sit down while driving?
Because the Fountain will allow you to do either with ample leg room while sitting where the Baja will not allow nearly as much leg room while sitting.... personal choice.... |
Originally Posted by On Time
(Post 3800324)
I agree. But by the time you get to three boats and a good deal comes along...
Rod2dknee- you have all winter to find a boat. What I would really suggest is post in order of importance what you want and are looking for. Then we can suggest models and brands for you to look for. This is a great time to find a great deal. |
Originally Posted by GRH
(Post 3800346)
One thing I did not see mentioned, and i may have missed it through all the biased comments.... do your prefer to stand up or sit down while driving?
Because the Fountain will allow you to do either with ample leg room while sitting where the Baja will not allow nearly as much leg room while sitting.... personal choice.... |
First of all a 260SS is not a performance boat by any means. A friend got one for his family and grew out of it almost instantly. I think the biggest power you'll find in one will be a 496 Mag.... 54mph on a good day and your teeth rattling.
You need to ride in both... If they both had 500's you would still like the Fountain better for ride and handling. I had 2 Baja's and loved them. Hated the look of the Fountain. That all changed the more I saw of them. Then I got a ride in a 35 and then a 42. I was hooked. Again, you need to ride in both with your wife and see what works for you. |
Originally Posted by Back4More
(Post 3801568)
First of all a 260SS is not a performance boat by any means. A friend got one for his family and grew out of it almost instantly. I think the biggest power you'll find in one will be a 496 Mag.... 54mph on a good day and your teeth rattling.
You need to ride in both... If they both had 500's you would still like the Fountain better for ride and handling. I had 2 Baja's and loved them. Hated the look of the Fountain. That all changed the more I saw of them. Then I got a ride in a 35 and then a 42. I was hooked. Again, you need to ride in both with your wife and see what works for you. |
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Back4More you mention the look of a Fountain. Tell me what boat looks better from the air or dock than a 42 Fountain? You do get used to the profile on the water and I like it now too. And check mine out: (That's the boss up front...)
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My daughter has liked 42 Fountains since she was a baby.
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