Both the Fountain 38 CC Open 2010 and the Fountain 42 Poker Run 2008 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 42 Poker Run 2008 measures 42,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountain 38 CC Open 2010 at 38,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountain 38 CC Open 2010 tips the scales at 11 300 lbs - 2 100 lbs more than the Fountain 42 Poker Run 2008 at 9 200 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 - 3 hp for the Fountain 38 CC Open 2010 and 2 hp for the Fountain 42 Poker Run 2008. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fountain 38 CC Open 2010 carries 300 gallons versus 220 gallons in the Fountain 42 Poker Run 2008. 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 42 Poker Run 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Fountain 38 CC Open 2010 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fountain 42 Poker Run 2008 could be the deciding factor.