The Fountain 31 CC 2011 vs Fountain 38 Luxury Edition 2007 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 Luxury Edition 2007 measures 37,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountain 31 CC 2011 at 31,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountain 38 Luxury Edition 2007 tips the scales at 12 900 lbs - 7 100 lbs less than the Fountain 31 CC 2011 at 5 800 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Fountain 38 Luxury Edition 2007 has a 298-hp advantage over the Fountain 31 CC 2011's 2-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fountain 38 Luxury Edition 2007 carries 300 gallons versus 204 gallons in the Fountain 31 CC 2011. 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 Luxury Edition 2007 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Fountain 31 CC 2011 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fountain 38 Luxury Edition 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 38 Luxury Edition 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 11 passengers and at 37,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fountain 31 CC 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.