Both the Fountain 35 Executioner 2008 and the Fountain 35 Lightning 2012 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Fountain 35 Executioner 2008 at 35,0 ft versus Fountain 35 Lightning 2012 at 35,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountain 35 Lightning 2012 tips the scales at 9 500 lbs - 1 000 lbs less than the Fountain 35 Executioner 2008 at 8 500 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 2 hp for the Fountain 35 Executioner 2008 and 2 hp for the Fountain 35 Lightning 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 160 gal and 160 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 10 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.