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Old 09-10-2007, 04:04 PM
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I was going through the same debate before I bought my boat. You have to consider three things, 1. What power is the boat going to have, 2. Where are you going to use it, 3. How important is top end. I bought a new 2005 38 Lightning w/525's about 5-6 weeks ago. I run the boat in the ocean off of Atlantic City and water tested both the 38 and 42 before I bought. The 38 is noticeably faster then the 42, with 525's half a load of fuel and one person my 38 has run 95mph where as with the 42' my experience was that it ran about 88mph. If your on LOTO I would suggest that you would have plenty of length with 38 and would enjoy the added speed the 38 offers over the 42. If you were running in the ocean all of the time I would suggest you get the 42 and consider the 47. How big is the worst day on LOTO? The 38 will run all day over 3-5's and the ride isn't half bad at 6 footers if their spaced tight enough. At the end of the day both boats are a great choice and you won't find a better value......I searched far and wide.
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Old 09-10-2007, 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by TJ Bart
I was going through the same debate before I bought my boat. You have to consider three things, 1. What power is the boat going to have, 2. Where are you going to use it, 3. How important is top end. I bought a new 2005 38 Lightning w/525's about 5-6 weeks ago. I run the boat in the ocean off of Atlantic City and water tested both the 38 and 42 before I bought. The 38 is noticeably faster then the 42, with 525's half a load of fuel and one person my 38 has run 95mph where as with the 42' my experience was that it ran about 88mph. If your on LOTO I would suggest that you would have plenty of length with 38 and would enjoy the added speed the 38 offers over the 42. If you were running in the ocean all of the time I would suggest you get the 42 and consider the 47. How big is the worst day on LOTO? The 38 will run all day over 3-5's and the ride isn't half bad at 6 footers if their spaced tight enough. At the end of the day both boats are a great choice and you won't find a better value......I searched far and wide.
With all due respect:
95 on a stock 05 38' Lightning????? Thats a little bit of a stretch dude. Got a buddy that has an 06 38 with 525's and factory test says 90mph...best he has seen on our fresh water lake @ EL 915 is 88mph...and thats after he ditched the factory bravos and went to 5 Blade Hydro's. I understand that you may run faster in salt water....but not 5 MPH.

Unless you have 2" Shorties, re-mapped ECM, or a serioulsy high x-dimension with the "perfect prop", a 20mph tailwind and a thimble full of fuel 95 is hard to believe....although it is a Fountian and anything is possible.
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Old 09-10-2007, 07:26 PM
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I just went from a 24 Python to a 33 Scarab so that would be like going from a 29 Fountain to a 38 Fountain and I want more so yes get the 42.
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Old 09-10-2007, 07:42 PM
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I ran a 35Lightning for eleven seasons before stepping into a 42Lightning.I drove a few 38's and felt that the step up from a 35Lightning to a 38 just wasn't enough compaired to a 42.I knew that I would not be happy until I had a 42! At first the 42 feels huge compaired to the 35 but after some time you begin to get a feel as to what the drives are doing.I've had both boats to LOTO and had great time with them but I like having the bigger boat.

Dennis
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Old 09-10-2007, 09:10 PM
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well if u have the money for a 42 ...get it ......but i personally think that a 38 fever rides heavy and handles chop like a charm ......and with the right power u can go fast .......personally the 38 would be my choice ...just the right size for most ocassions and great boat.......and from a 35 to a 38 is a very nice step up
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Old 09-10-2007, 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by TJ Bart
I was going through the same debate before I bought my boat. You have to consider three things, 1. What power is the boat going to have, 2. Where are you going to use it, 3. How important is top end. I bought a new 2005 38 Lightning w/525's about 5-6 weeks ago. I run the boat in the ocean off of Atlantic City and water tested both the 38 and 42 before I bought. The 38 is noticeably faster then the 42, with 525's half a load of fuel and one person my 38 has run 95mph where as with the 42' my experience was that it ran about 88mph. If your on LOTO I would suggest that you would have plenty of length with 38 and would enjoy the added speed the 38 offers over the 42. If you were running in the ocean all of the time I would suggest you get the 42 and consider the 47. How big is the worst day on LOTO? The 38 will run all day over 3-5's and the ride isn't half bad at 6 footers if their spaced tight enough. At the end of the day both boats are a great choice and you won't find a better value......I searched far and wide.
Go with the 42. Not to big and not to small goes fast for its size and has a great ride. There's no way a 42 is running 88 mph with stock 525's. From my experience its more like 82-84 in perfect conditions and light load while the motors are fresh, then it goes to about 80.
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Old 09-10-2007, 10:16 PM
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Okay who wants to take me for a test ride? A night of drinking on me!
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Old 09-11-2007, 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by 99fever27
Okay who wants to take me for a test ride? A night of drinking on me!

If you are in the Houston area look us up.
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Old 09-11-2007, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by fountain40icbm
Go with the 42. Not to big and not to small goes fast for its size and has a great ride. There's no way a 42 is running 88 mph with stock 525's. From my experience its more like 82-84 in perfect conditions and light load while the motors are fresh, then it goes to about 80.
Im glad someone else is calling BS on these numbers....prior to mods on our 05 42 Ex, the factory test report read 87mph. Best we got out of it was 85 with 5 blade hydros. 88....no way.
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Old 09-11-2007, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by TRL505
Im glad someone else is calling BS on these numbers....prior to mods on our 05 42 Ex, the factory test report read 87mph. Best we got out of it was 85 with 5 blade hydros. 88....no way.

I'll agree here, was talking to Scott @ Shogren last week about a 42 X with 525's and his statement was low - mid 80's depending on load and conditions. 95 would seem like a streach for a 525 powered 38, a friend had one with 575's and claimed high 80's loaded and a tick over 90 light.
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