38 v 42 Lightning
 

I was looking for a deal on a 42 and found a 38. I was kind of up to speed on the 42 - sliding door, wind shield and bottom changes and I know zero about the 38.

Can you help a guy out?

Same year (2003) & power - boating Lake of the Ozarks. How big of a deal is the 38 v 42?

curious to hear the comments...

More room, hull rated at higher speeds, 42 is Fountain's #1 selling performance boat

I have a very good friend (with a wife) that have a 38 I fell in love with there boat (I had a 35 at the time)
all I could think about was 38 with the NXT 700 package but, Scott Shogren Showed me how to drive a 42 and it was late in the day and I decided to take it home

Thank you

Scott, Greg and Bruce
(Team Shogren)


Looking forward to seeing you's guys in at the Chattanooga Fun Run May 15

Why? What was the biggest thing you liked about the 42 over the 38?

I haven't seen the boats side by side, but to me it appears the 38's stagger is shorter than a 42 and you lose some room in the cuddy. Cockpit seemed about the same size.

So the four foot seemed to be engine compartment and cuddy?

I was told ride was pretty close between the two for the most part, but the 38 had to be drove some in rough water.

Depending of the year, the 42 will have more room in cockpit. Also in 2003 I don't think the 38 had a sliding door. On a newer 38 full stagger their is NO ROOM IN COCKPIT unless you get drop down rear seat. Everything equal go with the 42. Oh but same power I guess you already know the 38 is faster. Hard decision to make with two great boats.:evilb:

I don't know what power you are talking about but I know LOTO gets rough and you will appreciate the full stagger 42 and how effortless it is to drive in any water condition. I would also argue that day in and day out a full stagger 42 would run just as fast as a half stagger 38, especially in LOTO on a holiday weekend!

I'm talking 500 EFI's in the 38.

I'd love a full stagger 42 with 700 SCi's, but it's not in the cards yet.

Your correct you can't drive any boat WOT at LOTO during a holiday weekend in the 21mm area. I like to run hard when it's safe and the waters decent. I'm not a sticks on the dash driver.

Our 33 Outlaw spent a ton of time at 3,200 just cruising down the lake. We spend a ton of time coved out on the lake, getting a bite to eat or meeting up with friends. Just wondering how big of a deal the 38 would be compared to the 42 for how we like to spend time on the water.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

I think the design looks better with the 42. It is so sleek and elegant. I has also 4 fuel tanks compared with the 38 which has only two.

But WHY doea sll 42 have 4 tanks?????? What do you use them for?

If you're serious about a 38 Lightning there is one listed here on OSO that would be worth checking into. I would put the link up here but don't know how so ........ It's an 04 with 575 SCI's located in Williston, Vermont. Owner's name is Charlie Roff. I looked at and test drove this boat a couple years back and can tell you it is in excellent condition, with a very fussy owner. Boat runs strong, has Chillers installed by Fountain when new, 100 mph rig. Would have written a check in a heartbeat for this boat had it been at the price it's at right now. Phone listed as 802-999-6071.