Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fountain 38 SC 2021 vs Fountain 42 Lightning 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Fountain 38 SC 2021 vs Fountain 42 Lightning 2011 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 42 Lightning 2011 tops out at 2 hp. Engine specs for the Fountain 38 SC 2021 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fountain 42 Lightning 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Fountain 38 SC 2021 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 42 Lightning 2011 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 SC 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail38.00 ft
Length overall - Detail42 ft. (12.8 m)
Length - Feet38
Length - Feet42
Length overall - Meters11.58
Length overall - Meters12.8
Length overall - Inches456
Length overall - Inches504
Draft [max] - Detail31.00 ft
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1 m)
Draft [max] - Meters9.45
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches372
Draft [max] - Inches4
Beamnot available
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail11,400 lbs. (5,182 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg5170.95
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.114
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail328 gal. (1,241 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1241.61
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal328
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Engine maxnot available
Engine max2 staggered Mercury 525 EFI with Bravo 1-XR/SSM/ITS
Operational Info
Water capacity2
Water capacity13 gal. (49 l)
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeFountain
Modelnot available
Model42 Lightning
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2011
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed88+ mph