The Fountain 38 Lightning 2007 vs Fountain 42 Executioner 2007 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Fountain 42 Executioner 2007 measures 42,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountain 38 Lightning 2007 at 38,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountain 38 Lightning 2007 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 792 lbs more than the Fountain 42 Executioner 2007 at 103 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 — 700 hp for the Fountain 38 Lightning 2007 and 700 hp for the Fountain 42 Executioner 2007. 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 42 Executioner 2007 carries 31 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Fountain 38 Lightning 2007. 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 Executioner 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Fountain 38 Lightning 2007 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 Executioner 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 42 Executioner 2007 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 Lightning 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.