Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 vs Fountain 38 SFC I/O 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 vs Fountain 38 SFC I/O 2010 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Fountain 38 SFC I/O 2010 measures 38,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 13,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 at 25,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountain 38 SFC I/O 2010 tips the scales at 158 lbs — 106 lbs less than the Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 at 52 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Fountain 38 SFC I/O 2010 tops out at 2 hp. Engine specs for the Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fountain 38 SFC I/O 2010 carries 296 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Fountain 23 Center Console 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fountain 38 SFC I/O 2010 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fountain 38 SFC I/O 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 38 SFC I/O 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model23 Center Console
Model38 SFC I/O
Model Year2006
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.2
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches126
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,359 kg)
Weight - Detail15,800 lbs. (7,182 lbs.)
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - kg7166.75
Weight - lbs.52
Weight - lbs.158
Length - Meters7.77
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet25
Length - Feet38
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in. (7.77 m)
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 0 in. (11.58 m)
Length overall - Meters7.77
Length overall - Meters11.58
Length overall - Inches306
Length overall - Inches456
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise19℃
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (0.97 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches38
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardTwin Mercury 175 Optimax Outboards
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail200 gal. (757 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail296 gal. (1,120 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters757.08
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1120.48
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal296
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Engine maxnot available
Engine maxGas: 2 425 hp 496HO Mercury with Bravo III Diesel: 2 320 Cummins diesels with Bravo III
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speedGas: 62 mph plus Diesel: 52 mph plus
Operational Info
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity4
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail11 gal. (42 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal11