Finally got around to reading it, it said ONLY lightnings, sounds like the ex series will be done.

I noticed the absence of the Executioners as well. My thought is that Fountain will be a higher end, more custom build line from here on, in that the EX's were a little less money. Too bad cause I still like that old school look as do many others I'm sure.

come on guys..its a hurtin company. if they have the molds they will build it for you. Hell they would paint it pink and chartruse if your paying for it. They are begging for buisness.. beggars arent choosey. Are you going to see 15 of them on the floor at Shogren, no. Can you order it? hell yes..nothing says build order like rectangular green dollars.

Reggie is in business to make money. He'll build anything he has a mold for. above is well stated.

To a point I agree with the "Money talks, nobody walks" mentality. But at what price? Does one pay as much, or even a little more, for a custom build EX style hull as one would pay for a full blown Lightning with a newer and more advanced hull design? I've owned both, believe me the EX hull design is a great one, but the newer twin step Lightning is better.

If you compare the boat industry to the auto industry more is not always better for the bottom line. Compare GM to Toyota, GM has forever had more lines and model choices but now is working thru Chapter 11. Things are not perfect at Toyota, but they are in far better shape than GM. Most often, in any business field, those that concentrate on what they do best, and more importantly what they do most profitably, are the ones that not only survive but often thrive in leaner times. There is nothing worse than being in competition with yourself.

I have a question, the newer 42 ex bottoms look like the 42 lightning bottoms. They have the larger step not like the older small 42 steps.

Does anyone know if the deck is the only change?

For some years now, and I can't put the exact date on this, the 42 EX has shared the Lightning bottom design. Both hulls out of the same mold, then fitted with the EX or Lightning top deck. Interiors and cockpits have followed along the lines of the top deck design. On the 35's the deal has been different. The EX has remained the single step hull with the traditional top deck while the Lightning has always been, since introduced, the twin step bottom design with the newer style top deck.

If you follow, or dig into, what Fountain has actually been doing over the past number of years then it does begin to explain why some models appear to be going away in light of what the boating industry is now going thru. Concentrate on your best, and best selling, offerings in an attempt to then become profitable in what will for sure be a different market from here on.

Pete, you are correct ! 2004 was the year of the lattest revision to the 42 mold and the marrage of the two designs with the hulls

And I knew I could count on you to tidy up the loose ends.

I was told it was tweaked again in late 2006/2007 models and any 42's with the new interior had the newest bottom? It was changed a bit to handle 700hp+ Merc packages?