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).

HEY, I married a small woman for a reason!! :)

granted the 42 isnt a true 42' boat, either is the formula. When the 382 Formula debuted, it was a 357 hull with a molded in platform. put a old Formula 357 next to a 382 and you will see. Everyone acts like Fountain is the only boat manufacturer that included the platform in the OAL.

In my opinion, a staggard 42 With the beak and platform, will outride a side by side 38 fastech in big water when the hammer is dropped.

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looking to change to go faster. I like my Formula, but I hate to flush $60-90K down the toilet to make it go faster. Presently have 500efi's with boxes and get mid 70's. The 42 has 700's with sixes and claims 108.

Also curious since Fountain claimed to make most parts inhouse what is going to happen with them in dire financial straights. Is that why the prices on these boats are so reasonable?

108 might be a bit on the high side, so don't expect it to do that all day, every day. 104-105 loaded, as an everyday number is more realistic. Still a great number. Every boat is different, so it might be more, and it might even be a bit less. Prices are generally low across the board, it's not just Fountain. You will see the same when selling the Formula.

Fountain parts are inexpensive and common. That is one of the nice surprises of owning a Fountain.

Unless you are talking engine and drive parts or other marine parts that are standard parts. Fountain paticular parts are hard to find , unless you know of some magic website.

108 may be right if its been turned up. Check the Smartcraft if boat has it, if its turning more than 5350-5400 rpm, the ecu's have been reworked.
The 700/ 6 drive package is a great package, our 38 runs the same package. The only down side are the propellers. Dont know the boat, its either 6 Blade Herings, or 5 Blade Mercury. Good thing is the 6 drive Herings are not prone to throwing blades like their Bravo drive counterparts. Bad thing is the price and availablity. If you get the boat, start looking for an extra set of props, if you should ding one, unless your prop guy is very good, most dont want to touch them. If the worst happens,and you need to replace one or both, especially with Herings, you could be down for weeks waiting for a set to he built.

Had a 42 for 3 years now and the boat handles like a dream... I have had the boat up to 119 with 900's warmed up and she was stable and ran like she was on rails. I have ran with comparable speed boats of other makes and I wouldn't trade anyone... Especially when the water get rough!!

I rode in this 08' 42 with 700s hauling azz through a bunch of islands hanging corners at 90+ for 20min straight trying to outrun a storm.....same thing, RAILS!!.....rock solid stable....very impressive boat to say the least....I was just giddy afterwards.

Either youhave a Fountain (and all the attention and joy + a high quality legendary speed machine), or you're not! Get one today before they go up in price. I would choose a 42 as it (to me) looks better in the proportions. The 38 is more fun to drive though as it has one degree more agressive step angle, and is lighter. But safety at poker run speeds is also comfort, so a 42 is better in rough conditions. They cost the same to own!!! The 42 also have FOUR fuel tanks. Great if you go empty of gas on the main tanks, as there is always a bit of fuel on the small tanks. I usually go with almost empty main tanks, and I just fill up the small tanks. They work great for shorter trips and fuel gauge is more precise.

One question to you all: Is it easy to upgrade from 700s to 1075s in a 42? The transmissions and No6 rives are there, but I believe there will always be some more rigging neccesary?