Both the Fountain 34 CC 2009 and the Fountain 38 Lightning 2010 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Fountain 38 Lightning 2010 measures 38,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountain 34 CC 2009 at 34,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountain 34 CC 2009 tips the scales at 10 000 lbs - 200 lbs more than the Fountain 38 Lightning 2010 at 9 800 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 34 CC 2009 has a 298-hp advantage over the Fountain 38 Lightning 2010'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 34 CC 2009 carries 300 gallons versus 180 gallons in the Fountain 38 Lightning 2010. 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 Lightning 2010 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Fountain 34 CC 2009 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fountain 38 Lightning 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 38 Lightning 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 34 CC 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.