No question the lightning looks better, but the trade off in cabin height to me is well worth it (especially if your wife says this is important). The other problem is that you'll have to buy used and find a good one if you want to trailer it because they discontinued the model when they introduced the 48 Express Cruiser which has a 12' beam and cannot be trailered without an escort, following vehicle, and semi with flashing lights on weekdays only.

I need to trailer. Anything over 8.5 feet is really a pain. I remain hopeful that someday Fountain will tweak the 47 Lightning interior just a bit so I can stand up.

Take a look a Black Thunders. They are very sporty and have plenty of head room in the cabins.

Black Thunders are great on the trailer or at the dock. They have great headroom in the cabin.

headroom
 

Fountain makes a nice boat but if you need speed and room in a reasonablly priced go boat the 38 Powerquest has lots of space and is still just 8.5' wide. Cabin headroom is 5'8" and the v berth is 6' 8" long. Not as fast as the Fountain but has a great ride and very comfortable.

Headroom in the 2007 47 Fountain is 5"7"

I think they should reintroduce the 47 sport cruiser. It trailers the same as a lightning, rides extremely smooth and dry, and has a cabin like a real cabin cruiser. It is the best of all worlds! The 48 is a great boat but useless if you want to trailer.

I just posted a beautiful 1996 47 SC in the classifieds. Check it out. Nicest one out there.

hey brett did you mean to put 4ft 8 inches come on tell the truth lol!!!!!!!!!!how about listing my boat so i can by yours !!!!!!!!!!!

I sent you a pm