Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fountain 42 Executioner 2006 vs Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Fountain 42 Executioner 2006 vs Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2011 measures 48,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fountain 42 Executioner 2006 at 42,0 feet (2006). At 103 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 Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2011 tops out at 3 hp. Engine specs for the Fountain 42 Executioner 2006 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2011 carries 47 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Fountain 42 Executioner 2006. 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 2011 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Fountain 42 Executioner 2006 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fountain 48 Express Cruiser 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 48,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fountain 42 Executioner 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model42 Executioner
Model48 Express Cruiser
Model Year2006
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam12 ft. (3.66 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.66
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches144
Draft [max] - Detail40 in
Draft [max] - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters1.17
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches46
Weight - Detail10,300 lbs. (4,676 kg)
Weight - Detail24,000 lbs. (10,886 kg)
Weight - kg4672
Weight - kg10886.21
Weight - lbs.103
Weight - lbs.24
Length - Meters12.8
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet42
Length - Feet48.5
Length overall - Detail42 ft. 0 in. (12.8 m)
Length overall - Detail48 ft. 6 in. (14.78 m)
Length overall - Meters12.8
Length overall - Meters14.78
Length overall - Inches504
Length overall - Inches582
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise22℃
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]51 ft. (15.5 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardTwin Mercury 525 EFI w/ Bravo XR drives
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail260 gal. (984 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail470 gal. (1,779 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters984.21
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1779.14
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal47
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O - Triple
Engine maxnot available
Engine max3 Cummins 480 hp with twin disc surface drives
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed
Headnot available
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity4
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity80 gal. (303 l)
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
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed64 mph