The fountain has twin 502 w 300hrs. The formula has 454s just rebuild w less then 10hrs

Looks like you just answered your own question......

300 vs 10?

That's just the motors, everything else has 600+ hrs on it

Get the one in best shape, for the best price possible. At 19 and 20 yrs old, the resale is less of a issue than the boats at $100k where there is more to loose. W/O knowing the condition and price of either, assuming close since you are considering both, they will both depreciate the same amount IMO. You can't go wrong with either of those 2.

I don't have a dog in this fight but.. If it was 1986 I think the Formula would be about the coolest boat you could get. But this is 2014.. Fountain Babay!! No other way.. Or should I say Buey

I own a 99 32 Fountain with 502's and I have a friend that owns a 303 with 454's that have been built slightly. His boat has more cabin head room but a shorter v berth. The 303 has a little longer cockpit but a shorter engine hatch. I can stand in front of the engine in my Fountain and get to the water pumps no problem. I have run both boats on the same day in the same water about a 1-3 foot chop. The 303 seems to not like a lot of trim to get the bow out of the water without bouncing a lot causing you to use more tab to correct, overall the boat rides well when you get it set up right and with the extra hp from a slightly built 454's it will run in the low to mid 70's. The fountain does feel a little more stable when running in the same water with less tweaking of tab and trim. Both boats like to run flat but the fountain seems to like to fly a little easier when running hard so you have to be quick on the throttles at high speeds. Overall they are both good boats but I will say that when running at speed the fountain feels a lot better.

Formula makes a nice, good looking well built boat. But I like my beak. Buy as much as you can while you can because you will want more in a year or so. Trust me and almost all on hear would probably agree with the previous statement!!!!.

Gotta say I would love to have that decision to make. Stuck with my old tub for a while, unless the kids bring home schollies for college. Keep studying, kids!

Buy the best condition and best maintained boat of the 2 you can for your money. Take all the information you have gathered and buy what will work best and feels right. Are the trailers in good condition, is insurance cost the same? Does either boat come with "extras" that will cost $ for you to replace? Enjoy the art of the deal and post pics of your new boat when you buy it!

Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer
The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Formulas...