Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 vs Fountain 38 Tournament Edition 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 vs Fountain 38 Tournament Edition 2008 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 Tournament Edition 2008 measures 38,0 feet overall (2008), 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 Tournament Edition 2008 tips the scales at 11 300 lbs - 6 100 lbs less than the Fountain 23 Center Console 2006 at 5 200 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 Tournament Edition 2008 tops out at 3 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 Tournament Edition 2008 carries 360 gallons versus 200 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 Tournament Edition 2008 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 Tournament Edition 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 38 Tournament Edition 2008 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 Tournament Edition
Model Year2006
Model Year2008
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 - Detail11,300 lbs. (5,136 kg)
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - kg5125.59
Weight - lbs.5200
Weight - lbs.11300
Length - Meters7.77
Length - Meters11.58
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
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail96 in. (2.4 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.44
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches96
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.6 m)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches29
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardTwin Mercury 175 Optimax Outboards
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail200 gal. (757 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail360 gal. (1,363 l) Optional Fuel: 161 gal. (609 l) deletes forward floor storage Optional Fuel: 63 gal. (238 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters757.08
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1362.75
Fuel tank capacity - Gal200
Fuel tank capacity - Gal360
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeOutboard - Triple
Engine maxnot available
Engine max3 Mercury 300 Verados
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)