Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 vs Fountain Lightning 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 or the Fountain Lightning 2001?

The Fountain Lightning 2001 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Fountain Lightning 2001 is rated to a maximum of 550 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 tops out at 3 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Fountain Lightning 2001 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Are the Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 and Fountain Lightning 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 and the Fountain Lightning 2001 are built by Fountain. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 vs Fountain Lightning 2001

Fountain

Fountain 38 Center Console 2008

2008

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Fountain

Fountain Lightning 2001

2001

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 vs Fountain Lightning 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 vs Fountain Lightning 2001 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 550 hp, the Fountain Lightning 2001 has a 547-hp advantage over the Fountain 38 Center Console 2008's 3-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 Lightning 2001 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fountain Lightning 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Fountain Lightning 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 42,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFountain

Makenot available

Model38 Center Console

Modelnot available

Model Year2008

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters3.2

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches126

Beam - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail96 in. (2.4 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches96

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.6 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail11,300 lbs. (5,126 lbs.)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg5125.59

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.113

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters11.58

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet38

Length - Feet42

Length overall - Detail38 ft. 0 in. (11.58 m)

Length overall - Detail42.00 ft

Length overall - Meters11.58

Length overall - Meters12.8

Length overall - Inches456

Length overall - Inches504

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail360 gal. (1,363 l) Optional Fuel: 161 gal. (609 l) deletes forward floor storage Optional Fuel: 63 gal. (238 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1362.75

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard - Triple

Drive typeinboard

Engine max3 Mercury 300 Verados

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMERCURY

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower550 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)

Water capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail11 gal. (42 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal11

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 vs Fountain Lightning 2001 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 or the Fountain Lightning 2001?

The Fountain Lightning 2001 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Fountain Lightning 2001 is rated to a maximum of 550 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 tops out at 3 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Fountain Lightning 2001 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Are the Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 and Fountain Lightning 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 and the Fountain Lightning 2001 are built by Fountain. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Fountain 38 Center Console 2008 full specs ← Fountain Lightning 2001 full specs