When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Fountain 34 CC 2010 and the Fountain 38 CC Open 2011 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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 CC Open 2011 measures 38,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountain 34 CC 2010 at 34,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountain 38 CC Open 2011 tips the scales at 113 lbs — 112 lbs less than the Fountain 34 CC 2010 at 1 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 2010 has a 297-hp advantage over the Fountain 38 CC Open 2011's 3-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 4 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fountain 38 CC Open 2011 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Fountain 34 CC 2010 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 CC Open 2011 could be the deciding factor.