Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fountain 38 Lightning 2010 vs Fountain 42 Lightning 2022 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Fountain 38 Lightning 2010 vs Fountain 42 Lightning 2022 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 2010 carries a rated maximum of 2 hp. Engine data for the Fountain 42 Lightning 2022 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fountain 42 Lightning 2022 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Fountain 38 Lightning 2010 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 Lightning 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 42 Lightning 2022 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 2010 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 Lightning
Modelnot available
Model Year201
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. (0.9 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail9,800 lbs. (4,455 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg4445.2
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.98
Weight - lbs.not 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 - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Drive typenot available
Engine max2 staggered Mercury 525 EFI with Bravo 1-XR/SSM/ITS
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacity13 gal. (49 l)
Water capacitynot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower