If you don't mind triples, you should consider the Formula 419. They are huge inside, run 85 with t-500efi's and ride like a caddy through the slop. Same with the 47 Fountain.

Having owned a 388 Hustler I would highly recommend the boat if your just going to run stock power. The boat is bigger than the rest mentioned except the 42 Fountain. To me the Hustler is one of the better all around boat for ride, speed, cockpit space, cabin room and the area to work on the motors. The boats are built very well and rigged very nice! Also the guys are great at Hustler! The 42Fountain is bigger than all boats mentioned and will ride the best no questions asked. I would still buy the Hustler though. Good luck on your search.

Thats what many dont understand, a 42 Fountain is one of the best hulls out there and has been for many years. Someone that can run a boat will run a 42 Fountain around ALOT of boats in big water. IMHO

Very good input from everyone,the large cushion is important so that puts a hurt on the hustler. The back pad is odley shaped, if my memory serves me right on the hustler. There is a 04 42 fountain w/525s available and the gps is locked on 96 or 97 mph. I thought that was high. Thanks B. H.

A 42 fountain with 525's with fresher motors and and an every day load will see right around 80-82.

Full stagger and Sportmaster drives should be a hair faster than that right?

On the newer ones. Not the used 03's or 04's he will be looking at. The best my buddy saw was around 84 with nothing and nice conditions. Then the EX run a mph or so faster with in these years. I think it was from 2006 on up is when they changed the hull a little bit again and got a little more speed.

When you're sitting still, the Formula will easily be the best for cockpit room, sunpad usability and general comfort. I can't speak for the performance/ride end of things, as I have not been on the other boats. It's a matter of what you spend the most time doing. We spend a lot of time rafted up, and have not seen anything that makes us regret buying our 382.

That sounds high to me. I think 82-83 is probaly more realistic for that year model. In 2005 they revised the hull and moved the drives closer. That boat could have 18.5" centers, which helped for another 2-3mph, but it would still take another 100hp a side to get there.

I want a Fountain 42 hull with Outerlimits rigging, a Cigarette interior and a Hustler top deck.