Can I get some input on this boat? I have an opportunity to pick a garage kept 27 Fever that shows very well. Top to bottom Gelcoat looks like its never missed a coat of wax and the vinyl is soft and crack free everywhere. This is a 91 so its a straight hull, 502, Bravo 1, LH prop Gill exhaust.

What kind of MPH can this thing go being a non-stepped hull?
Hows it ride when its 10-12 mph wind with 2'-3' chop?

What id be replacing is my Baja 272 essentially. I noticed this 27 Fever is a V all the way to the drive, my Baja has a 6" wide pad at the drive that runs about 8 feet up or so. Im not looking for an overnight boat, so cabin room being identical is fine. My 272 rides good in 2'-3' chop, I can still go 30-40 ( depending if im with the wind or against) and have a not have a bad ride that beats me up.

How I boat, I like to oblige the jet skis when they want to race, win or lose. If Im riding from boat ramp to the tiki bar 20 miles away, I wanna cruise 50-55 mph comfortable. If there is a poker run, I dont wanna be last. Now my 272 does great, not the fastest thing (best has been 63 GPS mph) but i can cruise 50 mph easily. But where my Baja is lacking, is top speed. I want more. So if this is my chance to make a significant upgrade, Id like to grab it now.

Side notes. The 502 is hurt, must be rebuilt and the price ($10K) of the Fountain reflects that. The 489 in my 272 is out, ordered a custom cam to match the entire setup from Mike Jones. so this engine would likely end up in the Fountain if that ends up in my garage.

Thanks for any replies and opinions.

Sounds like the same boat imo just better blown up building block. I wish I had a 502 when rebuilding my 496 in my 25 ol. Ran into a guy in Cumberland with a straight v bottom 27 fountain and a 575, said he ran 80 but was just pier talk. Motor looked very nice. I think you put enough power into any v hull you’ll get speed but can’t say what hull you’re looking at would be faster

With similar power, I doubt the Fountain is more than 4-5mph faster than your current boat. Baja is probably a roomier boat all round so i don’t think you’re really gaining anything. Very different looking boats, if that’s what matters to you.

I’d finish up the work on your engine and drop it back in the Baja for another season. Wait until you’re in a position to trade up significantly, maybe next year?

Good luck whatever you decide.

RR

I’m on my 3’rd outlaw, so I’m a little biased. When I had my 25 ft, ran off the beach in Atlantic City and down to Cape May no matter what the conditions. That being said, never been in a 27 Fountain. I’d have to agree with Rak in the previous post. Did you ask the owner of the Fountain what the top speed was ? Would suck to buy it, swap engines and only get a few more mph

I've always been very biased towards Baja as well. Its what I grew up on and loved as a child so it stuck with me, thats why I currently have 2.

I did, but he has no GPS confirmation. According to the current owner he saw 68 on his speedo which I would guess to be 2-5 mph off. Now his 502 looks to have the top end from his blown up 454 from when he made the swap, Ive never seen a 502 with a low laying intake and quadrajet carb. So if it went low to mid 60s, sounds like lots of room for improvement?

Rak, Thats what im kind of looking for, if it is indeed a faster hull, how much? If it is 4-5 mph faster, thats what i need to think about.

I did read in an older thread comparing the later stepped hull against the Baja 272, its like comparing a Ferrari to a Camaro. I dont know if the later mid 90s hull got better handling or just faster adding the step.

Fountains have pad bottoms and I never seen a pad on a Baja.

did you say the fountain doesn’t have a PAD?

and that your baja does?

yes thats correct. The Baja has a pad thats 6" wide or so and runs up about 8 feet.
the fountain has no pad.

This is the 91 fever 27

This is my 272, my hull doesn't have a hook either.

Dollar for dollar, my suggestion is to stay with what you have now and down the road buy a somewhat larger hull. The 27’ Fountain is quite small IMHO. My guess it’s only truly a 24/25’ foot hull. Best of luck to you.

In 91, Fountain hadn't copied the Velocity pad, yet.

Padraig