The Fountain 38 Lightning 2008 vs Fountain 47 Lightning 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 47 Lightning 2007 measures 47,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountain 38 Lightning 2008 at 38,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fountain 47 Lightning 2007 tips the scales at 13 900 lbs - 4 100 lbs less than the Fountain 38 Lightning 2008 at 9 800 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 1 075 hp, the Fountain 47 Lightning 2007 has a 1 073-hp advantage over the Fountain 38 Lightning 2008's 2-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fountain 47 Lightning 2007 carries 320 gallons versus 180 gallons in the Fountain 38 Lightning 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 47 Lightning 2007 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Fountain 38 Lightning 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 47 Lightning 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 47 Lightning 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 47,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fountain 38 Lightning 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.