Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fountain 38 Express Cruiser 2011 vs Fountain Lightning 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Fountain 38 Express Cruiser 2011 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 548-hp advantage over the Fountain 38 Express Cruiser 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 Lightning 2001 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Fountain 38 Express Cruiser 2011 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 Express Cruiser 2011 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 Express Cruiser
Modelnot available
Model Year2011
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
Deadrise19℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (0.97 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail15,000 lbs. (6,818 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg6803.88
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.15
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet38
Length - Feet42
Length overall - Detail38 ft. (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 - Detail296 gal. (1,120 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1120.48
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal296
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Drive typeinboard
Engine maxGas: (2) 425 hp 496 HO Mercury with Bravo III Diesel: (2) 320 Cummins Bravo III
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMERCURY
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower550 hp
Performance
Maximum speedGas: 62 mph Diesel: 52 mph
Maximum speednot available
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Headroomnot available
Sleeping capacity4
Sleeping capacitynot available
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Water capacitynot available
Water heater capacity11 gal. (42 l)
Water heater 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