Both the Fountain 35 Lightning 2011 and the Fountain 38 EC 2009 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 Lightning 2011 at 35,0 ft versus Fountain 38 EC 2009 at 38,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountain 38 EC 2009 tips the scales at 15 000 lbs - 5 500 lbs less than the Fountain 35 Lightning 2011 at 9 500 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Fountain 38 EC 2009 has a 423-hp advantage over the Fountain 35 Lightning 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 EC 2009 carries 296 gallons versus 160 gallons in the Fountain 35 Lightning 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 EC 2009 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Fountain 35 Lightning 2011 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 EC 2009 could be the deciding factor.