38 to 42
 

it seems the 42 is so much more popular than the 38 whats the deal
Price?
Better hull design?
The cockpit is the same size isnt it?
Will a guy take a beating on a 38 when he sells ?

it may be that the guy buying a 42 with 525/ bravo set up would pay the minor difference when considering he is spending more than a couple hundred thou.
looking at it from a true performance stand point i would say to purcgase a 700 nxt package in a 38 before a bravo 42. but ultimately for the enthusiast a 700 42.
now your talking about alot of cash in either of the las t 2 scenarios.
i dont think a 38 would take any more of a abeating than anything else. if you buy a boat and trade it a year later, regardless, the loss is more than not whether a 38 or 42.

good luck.

what about cockpit size if the 42 is no bigger i think i will look for a 38
are the bottoms same
some say to say away from staggered 42s side by side have better cg.

I have owned several 38' and 42' Fountains. The cockpit is the same in both boats. The sunpad is a little longer on the 42. The 38 runs 88MPH-90MPH with 525 EFI's, and the 42 runs 84MPH-86MPH. I personally like the ride of the 38 better than the 42. If you buy a 38' make sure it is a 2003 or newer.

Who have you been talking to?? The stagger 42 is probably the ultimate Fountain. The cockpit sizes are the same. Go with the 42 if you can swing it.

i do most of my boating @loto and miss. river i thing the 42 is a little big and hard to find slips to rent for 42s

is that when they changed bottom
I don't know if i can get use to throttles on left side

Yes, they changed the bottom and staggered the engines in late 02/early 03. I would go with a 2004 or newer because of the 525 and XR's. The 38' is the way to go if you are going to be boating at LOTO and MS River. You will get use to the left hand throttles.

what type of speeds with that package

The 38' is a good all around boat - ride, size, and layout. I've been in a few 38's and 42's and didn't particularly like the ride of the 42. Re-sale is no different on the 38 than the 42 and the extra speed of the 38' is nice. You can probably get a better deal on a 38' over a 42' if you hunt around. If I was looking for a Fountain I'd pick up a 38' over a 42' but that's just me.

A buddy was telling me about a really clean 38 Lightning at LOTO, I can't remember exactly what year but I think it's a 04 or 05 w/525's. Sounded like a nice boat, don't know if it sold or not.

Normal day of boating....fuel, beer, women, gear.....85-86MPH, Speed run......no fuel, beer, women, or gear...88-89MPH

anybody wants a cheap 42 that runs low 90's......

here you go

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=173859

I have owned a 2004 38' Fountain w/ 525's and it is a fantastic package. There is a lot more throttle response in a 38' w/ 525's than a 42' w/ the same power.

You will fall in love with the throttles on the left side......

Agreed. We dont own Foutnains but our boats have them on the left. I much perfer them on the left!!

42 is a way better boat in rough water. 525s are too small in my opinion. Go big or go home!

if you compare it to other 38s is the fountain a lot smaller ?
can I pull it with 3/4 duramax

5 minutes of use and you won't even think twice about it. Will be just as natural as using your turn signals in your car.

I prefer the Lefties myself.

Are these correct numbers for the new boats?
Are those numbers with Bravo 4/5 blade props, or Herring props?

What about 700s in both boats?

I had never owned that big of a boat and was worried, but bought a 38 and pulled it from Biloxi, MS to Myrtle Beach, SC w/3/4 ton Duramax at 75 mph and never made a bobble, but the trailer quality means everything, and my Duramax has a chip for the extra umph you need.

The new 38's are running 94-96 with 525's! I think the 42's are still around the 85 mark under good conditions.

Cant tell you about the 42, Can tell you first hand about the
38/700's number 6's. It runs 6 blade Herrings. The best the boat ran light, was 114.3 mph. Loaded like in the Richmond Poker run, 200 Gallons of gas, temp in the 90's high humidity, 5 people in boat. 110.8

2003 - 2006 with 525's, Bravo 32 4Blades.....the new 38's are running in the mid to upper 90's with 525's, ITS, and Herring's.

the reason why is that I am left handed and i tend to back into my slip looking over my right shoulder I think it will take some geting use to

wow...fast boat.

Im left handed too and like that my strong side is on the throttles. Once you run a couple of times you'll wont even notice a difference.

I have a 42' Lightning with 700s with SSMIV and 6-blade Herings that runs 106.5MPH with a light load and 104 with fuel and passengers. I am also left handed and I had no problem getting used to the throttles. The 38' is a bit faster but in rough water I prefer a 42.

how rough loto rough or lake michgan rough i would lik e to boat mich some more . Went there for a poker run in 2005 and got murdered

Beak Boater's combo is flat out awesome! If I were looking at getting into another performance boat, the 38 with 700's would be it.

so then bring:cool-smiley-026: it

dude you are hooked.

with out a doubt

come over to the other side.

y the interestt.

if you decide i WILL educate you my son.

your duramax may have the chip.......






but i was born with it.







beaks rule.

bblythe, I boat on Lake Michigan and it can get really rough but my last two 42's have handled it really well. Were you at the Windy City poker run in 2005?

I was at the one in july Chicago poker run out of east chicago casio

That boat is slow!! :cool-smiley-027::cool-smiley-027:

It may be...but I know a Skater that is slower:hitfan:

You just wait Randy...
(I would have said "Dad," but someone already asked if Docmanrich was my Dad.)

...Wayne's propshaft's are drinking milk, and one day they are going to be big and strong; and hold together for a whole poker run. :D

The two of you are lucky I sold my boat! :party-smiley-004: :D

I can vouch for beaks boat, it is fast. We were up front at Jamin on the James. He was the only one that could hang with us.:D By the way Randy where were all those fast.... AT's at? Did I miss something?:cool-smiley-027: Just kidding guys I like ATs Too!:party-smiley-004:

I have a 2000 42 staggered 1100s, custom paint, dockside air , sitting on a very nice matching trailer, Ido not need two boats, I am ready to deal. Boat is in VERY GOOD condition!