Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 vs Fountain 38 LS 2021 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 or the Fountain 38 LS 2021?

The Fountain 38 LS 2021 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 has a documented max rating of 600 hp. Engine specifications for the Fountain 38 LS 2021 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Fountain 38 LS 2021 is certified for 11. 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 Lightning 2006 and Fountain 38 LS 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 and the Fountain 38 LS 2021 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 Lightning 2006 vs Fountain 38 LS 2021

Fountain

Fountain 38 Lightning 2006

2006

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Fountain

Fountain 38 LS 2021

2021

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 vs Fountain 38 LS 2021 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 vs Fountain 38 LS 2021 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 Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 carries a rated maximum of 600 hp. Engine data for the Fountain 38 LS 2021 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

Both boats are rated for 11 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 and Fountain 38 LS 2021 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeFountain

Makenot available

Model38 Lightning

Modelnot available

Model Year2006

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

Draft [max] - Detail29.00 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters8.84

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches348

Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,063 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg4059.65

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.895

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters11.58

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet38

Length overall - Detail38 ft. 0 in. (11.38 m)

Length overall - Detail38.00 ft

Length overall - Meters11.58

Length overall - Inches456

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardTwin staggered Mercury SCI w/ ITS Short Sportmasters

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail211 gal. (798 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters798.72

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal211

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max600 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed w/ porta-potti

Headnot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity3

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 vs Fountain 38 LS 2021 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 or the Fountain 38 LS 2021?

The Fountain 38 LS 2021 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 has a documented max rating of 600 hp. Engine specifications for the Fountain 38 LS 2021 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Fountain 38 LS 2021 is certified for 11. 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 Lightning 2006 and Fountain 38 LS 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fountain 38 Lightning 2006 and the Fountain 38 LS 2021 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 Lightning 2006 full specs ← Fountain 38 LS 2021 full specs