38 vs 42
 

Presently have a 382 Formula and am looking at both a 38 and a 42 Lightning. How does cockpit compare to my Formula and where does the extra 4 feet end up(cockpit/cabin/or engine compartment and which is the preferred boat for a rough lake like Lake Erie. The prices are not that far apart and they both seem like a bargain, could that have something to do with the state of the parent company?

Would appreciate your coments. Thanx

I would think an equvialent sized fountain or bigger is better running boat in rough water than Formula. Formulas are nice boats, ive always thought they were more on the luxury side than performance side of the house. With that said if I didnt have a fountain Id have a Formula

Size for size, the 42 is more like your present boat. Depending on why you want a new boat, go and have a look at both. You are the one who buys it.

A few things. The 42 Lightning is not "true" 4' longer, more like 2½' This is a bit of a sore subject, but fact is the Fountain has both the beak and platform. Your current boat is a side by side confuguration, both the 38 Lightning and 42 Lightning runs stagger, so that takes up cockpit space. Overall the 38 Lightning is a smaller boat, exept for being 2" wider. So if you want to keep your space, the 42 is the boat to choose.

Good luck with it.

I had a 2002 382 and loved it. Spent some time with Wyatt Fountain on a fully optioned 42 he brought to a poker run about 4 years ago.

I'm convinced the 42 cabin AND cockpit were a little smaller than my 382. Certainly a nice boat and of course much faster but we overnighted often and size was most important......and most dis-appointing.

Rough water.....go with the 42. We own a 38/700, I love our boat, but in the rough water 42, no question.

Have trailered to and boated on Erie out of Sandusky; would definitely go for the 42. Even with the 42 there will be days you will be getting wet.

We only boat on the Great Lakes 2 or 3 times a year. If it were any more often than that I would have a 42 for sure.

Would think the 382 Formula would handle rough water better than the 38 Fountain. Definately not as fast with the same power, but a better ride with more room.

What is your reason for switching over? Lookin for more speed? What power is in the Fastech?

I'm guessing this was a direct quote from your wife :lolhit:

I can't comment as to ride. I did spend some time on a buddies 38 straight bottom years ago, those rides were my first in performance boats and the reason we bought out first fastech and started doing poker runs. However I was such a rookie when I took those rides that I can't say the boat rode better than the 382 I later owned (never rode on a 42).