Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fountain 38 Tournament Edition 2007 vs Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Fountain 38 Tournament Edition 2007 vs Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2008 measures 48,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 11,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountain 38 Tournament Edition 2007 at 37,0 feet (2007). At 106 lbs and 24 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Fountain 38 Tournament Edition 2007 has a 297-hp advantage over the Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2008's 3-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 38 Tournament Edition 2007 carries 287 gallons versus 47 gallons in the Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 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 48 Express Cruiser 2008 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Fountain 38 Tournament Edition 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 48 Express Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 48,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fountain 38 Tournament Edition 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.
General Boat Info
Model38 Tournament Edition
Model48 Express Cruiser
Model Year2007
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m)
Beam12 ft. 0 in. (3.66 m)
Beam - Meters3.2
Beam - Meters3.66
Beam - Inches126
Beam - Inches144
Bridge clearance - Detail96 in. (2.4 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.44
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches96
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.6 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Draft [max] - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters1.17
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches46
Weight - Detail10,600 lbs. (4,808 kg)
Weight - Detail24,000 lbs. (10,886 kg)
Weight - kg4808.08
Weight - kg10886.21
Weight - lbs.106
Weight - lbs.24
Length - Meters11.56
Length - Meters14.78
Length - Feet37
Length - Feet48
Length - Inches11
Length - Inches6
Length overall - Detail37 ft. 11 in. (11.56 m)
Length overall - Detail48 ft. 6 in. (14.78 m)
Length overall - Meters11.56
Length overall - Meters14.78
Length overall - Inches455
Length overall - Inches582
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise22℃
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]51 ft. 0 in. (15.5 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail287 gal. (1,086 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail470 gal. (1,779 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1086.41
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1779.14
Fuel tank capacity - Gal287
Fuel tank capacity - Gal47
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O - Triple
Engine max300 hp, 4 each
Engine maxGas: 3 MerCruiser 525 and Bravo III XR drives Diesel: 3 Cummins 480 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)
Water capacity80 gal. (303 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity4
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal36