Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fountain 35 Lightning 2011 vs Fountain 38 SC 2022 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Fountain 35 Lightning 2011 vs Fountain 38 SC 2022 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the Fountain 38 SC 2022 has a 448-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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fountain 38 SC 2022 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 SC 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 38 SC 2022 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 35 Lightning 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeFountain
Makenot available
Model35 Lightning
Modelnot available
Model Year2011
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (0.9 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail9,500 lbs. (4,318 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg4309.12
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.95
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet35
Length - Feet38
Length overall - Detail35 ft. (10.67 m)
Length overall - Detail38.00 ft
Length overall - Meters10.67
Length overall - Meters11.58
Length overall - Inches42
Length overall - Inches456
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail160 gal. (606 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Drive typeoutboard
Engine max2 staggered Mercury 525 EFI with Bravo 1-XR/SSM
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower450 hp
Performance
Maximum speed100+ mph
Maximum speednot available
Operational Info
Water capacity13 gal. (49 l)
Water capacitynot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower