Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fountain 38 SC 2022 vs Fountain 47 Lightning 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Fountain 38 SC 2022 vs Fountain 47 Lightning 2008 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the Fountain 38 SC 2022 has a 448-hp advantage over the Fountain 47 Lightning 2008's 2-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fountain 47 Lightning 2008 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Fountain 38 SC 2022 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 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 47 Lightning 2008 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 SC 2022 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 - Detail47 ft. 3 in. (14.4 m)
Length - Feet38
Length - Feet47
Length overall - Meters11.58
Length overall - Meters14.4
Length overall - Inches456
Length overall - Inches567
Beamnot available
Beam9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 m)
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches108
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (0.96 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail16,500 lbs. (7,500 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg7484.27
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.165
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters14.4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Horsepower450 hp
Horsepowernot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeI/O
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail340 gal. (1,287 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1287.04
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34
Engine maxnot available
Engine max2 staggered Mercury 700 SCI NXT No. 6
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeFountain
Modelnot available
Model47 Lightning
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2008
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee