School the Prospective Buyer... 38 Lightning vs 42 Lightning
 

Here are my goals. I live in So cal, I want to be able to blast to Catalina or drive down from Huntington beach to Mission Bay every once and awhile. I know I will end up in the big lakes but I know I will be doing the Ocean more often. The full cabin is why I am going Fountain and Not Apache (one day).

I have always been a small boat guy, never really stepped up to this class before, but life changes and so does my idea's of what I want to do with my boat.

I want a 100mph boat, always been a dream and I want something that I can run Poker Run's with and not be the caboose.

From what I can gather the Lightning and Fever are different in the way the Lightning has 3 steps and a flat pad? fever is only 2 steps and no pad? What kinda MPH difference does this equate in the long run think twin 750's.

I also have a 42 lightning in my area, 1996, 3 HP500's with bravo one's. Is this a headache? What kinda MPH do you think is possible with that kinda boat? mid 70's? I have always heard the bravo 1's in big boats are nightmares, XR's would be the best for an entry level. Is the day of triple's dead? Anyone own a triple and have something to add? Kinda scares me on the added maintenance and I imagine it drinks fuel lol. If I got this boat I see myself in a year dropping 3.3L whipples and doing the imco lower's....

Then comes the whole... buy a newer staggered 38 and call it a day...Not many of them are out there used I see, seems like a fast and awesome boat.

So to condense... 42 triple? or a 38 lightning staggered?

what is the difference between the 1996 hulls (38 and 42) and the new hulls? I keep reading they only adjusted the decks but the hulls themselves are the same?


sorry for the kindergarten mindset... I am in a whole new world and really dont trust the info I get at the boat broker's lol "ooo this is 100 mph" "nothing is the same". blah blah blah

Ok. You are misinformed on many parts. Fountain never had a triple step. The first year of a twin step 42 was 95. That ran through 97. 98-99 was referred to as the big step. 2000 they made it slightly smaller (better handling in the 120+range I think) 2004 was the final bottom for a 42.

38 there is a fever and a lightning. Fever has no walkaround and a wider cockpit. They also never built a staggered fever. Not sure what year maybe 2000 or a couple years later they made a semi staggered 38 lightning.

All fountains have the pad bottom. Triples have gone by the wayside because of drive and prop technology allowing higher x dimensions. For ocean running you'll want the 42. Best setup is a 42 twin step stagger for speed and efficiency. However the straight bottoms ride like a dream. I believe boat for boat a side by side straight bottom vs a twin step stagger is roughly 10mph difference power for power.

In a twin step stagger 42 to reach triple digits requires 700hp minimum per side and an optimum set up.

My vote is 42 stagger twin step. Side by side if you want 2-3 extra feet of cockpit room.

with an avatar like that......I am going to take what you say on merit alone...

thanks!

I live here in So cal too :). Sometimes on the ocean my 38 seems to small. But it seems perfect on Havasu and other big lake as well as sandiego bay. If you get a 42 it costs more money to make it go a hundred and you'll need a bigger tow vehicle ;)

If you are planning to run in the ocean, bigger is better... There are some days that even my 47 feels like a rowboat out there. All else equal, I'd go 42 over 38. I had a semi-staggered 38 and it was great riding and handling boat and was perfect for most days in the bay, but in the ocean, it felt a bit small. If you want a 100 mph boat, a 42 triple will not get you there without a LOT of investment, which at that point, you would be better served going for a 42 with 700's. A friend of mine just sold a 99 42 with triple 525sc's and that boat topped out at 83. As someone who owns a triple engine boat, I can tell you there is more $$ in maintenance and fuel for sure but if you stay on top of stuff, it's not as terrible as everyone thinks; the fuel is probably the worst of it.

A later model year staggered 42 with 700sci's / #6 drives will run 100+ all day long. that would be my vote.

I just went from a 32 to a 42. I made this decision based on what was out there for the money. And riding in my bro's 2x42's. First, a 42 will typically sell better then a 38. Not dogging the 38, just stating my opinion. Next, most 38's on the market are mid 90's or a hand full of late models (2005-2009). The late models will bring $100,00+ which is 42 money for roughly the same year. I wanted mercury power because I have a good friend with a mercury shop/marina and I trust the reliability. For that reason, I went with a 42 staggered with 525 efi's. In my opinion, this is the best bang for the buck on the water.

I just finished tickfaw with a buddy in his 35 fountain. He has 525's as well. He is a bit faster but when we went across Pontchartrain the comfort level between the rides was noticeable. My riders were enjoying drinks, while his were enjoying grab handles:)

All that said, I will agree with I.C.U., the flat bottom, side-by-side or triple with big power is a night and day different ride in the rough then my boat. My bro's 91 with 3x540's was the finest riding rig I have ever been in between gas pumps and atm's.:)

Good luck!

If I was spending my time in the ocean, and I wanted a Fountain - I don't think I would be looking at a 38' Lightning. I'd suggest a 42' with twin 700's.

Thanks for the info guys! I think I'll hold off for a big twin staggered 42, anyone got the dimensions on roughly what the overall trailer tow length lol, thinking I am going to need to find a new indoor storage facility lol.

45-50ft for the boat & trailer