38 zr vs 38 lightning :)
 

i know the lightning will be faster but witch one would handle rough water better. 3 to 5 footer's ocean running .
has any one ran these two boats side by side to see the diffrence ?
525 merc power

thank's
mike

Mmmmiiiikkkeeeeeeeeee Nnnnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooo....

38 Zr !!

The 38 Donzi will handle the waves better but it's going to be 5 - 6 mph slower than the Fountain and feel less agile, but because it is bigger and weighs more it will handle the waves better. The ZR also has quite a bit more room in the cockpit.

I own a 38 Fountain and have driven a 38 ZR. I felt the ZR was underpowered with 525's but then a 42 Fountain might also feel underpowered with 525's and a 42 might be a better comparison to the ZR in size. The 38 looks and feels quite a bit smaller than the ZR because it is.

Ocean running??? neither.....you will need more than 38ft....buy a Cary....

I ran a 38 zr and will agree it felt underpowered with 525s. It ran 88 mph on dead flat fresh water, but wasnt punchy at all.

Depends,,, do you want a 35 foot boat, or a 38 foot boat !!!!???

OH CMON,,,, you knew it was coming !!!

Having been in both,,,, its what you expected,,,, Donzi will ride better but be slower.

Either will be just fine,,,,,, it really comes down to speed and amenities.

You can't compare a 38 Fountain to a 38 Donzi. The 42 Fountain is more that you can compare. The Donzi 38 is actually 39ft in length and weighs 9200lbs with 525s she will run 88mph, I have seen some at 90 but hands down can handle rough water well. She is actually nice to drive sitting down. The reason the Donzi handles well in rough, she is built like the raceboat low and she has a wide beam with center steps and staggerd engines. She actually flys and lands straight. It all personal prefrence both are nice boats. I own a Donzi 33ZX and love it. I have sold many 38ZRs and ran many Poker Runs with them.

I agree with the comments that the Lightning will be faster but as to the question of which will handle the 3 to 5's better I will go with the Donzi. Mine tops out at 90.1 mph in a light chop. Their styling is great while Fountain is pretty much same old. I had a new Lightning back in 1990 and haven't seen a lot of change. With the low freeboard we would get wet a lot when running in the rough stuff. Moved on to a Top Gun the following year. Will never go back. :)
Bob

Donzi had to change their boats years ago. They are nice now but the used to be crap. Fountain doesnt have to do a whole lot to the outsides of their boats. Its all prefference. I bet if you raced these two boats in 3-5 footers the fountain would still win. Just my 2 cents. I do like that sit down 38 Donzi. Sweet boat.

Both very nice, but it depends on what is more important. The 38 Fountain will flat run circles around the Donzi. Talking 96+ MPH with 525 and ITS. Their is no question Fountain Performance is #1, comfort is #2. Really depends on what is more important to you, comfort or Performance?:hitfan:

I think the Fountain will handle better in the ruff !!!!!!

I have seen them run over 100 in 4-6 footers like on rails .:D

My first choice would be a Donzi 38ZRC sit down
Next would be a 38ZR
If I had a choice outside of Fountain or Donzi....
38 Top Gun ot 37 Stilleto Outerlimits

The full canopy race boats are totally different animals than the pleasure boats. This goes the same for the ZRC. Since Mike is talking pleaure boats I can only comment on the Donzi because I have never been in a 38 Fountain. The Donzi 38 ZR is a great running boat in all types of water. They run very well in the rough. Mike, I'd suggest since you'll be coming out of the EC that you should look at the 42 Fountain as well. Great ride and speed.

thats what i have come to see . 42 vs 38 :) would be more compairable.
thank's
mike

so let's change the question
38 zr -vs- 42 ex or lightning .
thank's
mike

I owned an 07 38 zr and now own a 09 42 lightning.....I think both boats handle the rough very well but they ride different...the Donzi turned flater while the Fountain leans more in the turns....the Fountain has more freeboard so you feel more secure, but passengers in the back seat of the Donzi can see whats coming up and you really can't in the Fountain...when the Donzi was fully trimmed out, the back felt a little loose compared to the Fountain...honestly in a small chop the Donzi at 90 (525's) was almost boring.....at the same time the Fountain at 105 (700's) truly does not feel like you are going that fast....in the real rough I like the Fountain, it just feels more solid to me....both are great boats but I would defintely go 700's with either if you can

And if you compare those two this thread is as good as done. There is no comparison. Its not even worth talking about. Thats like comparing a nfl team to a college team. Everyone knows who wins this.

The 42 Ex is my favorite Fountain, strickly by looks though. Ive never ran one.

Yup, I'm also assuming the Donzi is that much better....
Nobody would want to ride (on) a fountain in 4-6's....

Ya right. That was funny!:ernaehrung004:

My choice is.....




.....it runs circles around a 700 Fountain especially in 4-6s!

I say 38ZR

One thinh to think about is the fact that you will be able to sell the Donzi when you want to. How many 38zr's are for sale vs. 38-42 Foutains. Go to some of the other threads in here some people with nice Foutains can't even get an offer for their boats, not a low ball, NO OFFERS, they cant trade them or sell them.

Your joking right?? 38 Lighting 115mph with 700's, 42 Lighting 106mph, BTW both pleasure versions, if you want to break out the 42 PR edition :eek:

I see talk but no speed #'s

WILL

I would go with the 42 lighting , Much better cabin than a Donzi.

thats because there so many fountain sold comparred to donzi.i think out of all the performance boats out there fountain sells more.i am not knocking donzi,great boats.

Your going to get a lot of one sided opinions here....you need to setup sea trials on all three to see how the shoe fits so to speak.

I have never owned either but have riden in both.

The Donzi has the look and feel I like and it fits me better.

DONZI

i like both, but go sea trial and see what fits your style better.
but i would use the 42 Fountain to compare

Will, Will, Will,
I have 700hps (Ron Potter prepped 575's) in my Comp. and it HAS beat the 700 Fountains. I have yet to run a 700 PR 42 yet so I can not say how it will run but I know it will hold its own.:cool:
Walked a 37 Outerlimits GTX with the same power too.:drink:

I think everybody here knows that, I didn't think I had to spell it out, but it still means the same thing if there are a ton for sale the price and need / want go's down. Vs. only a dozen or so for sale. Nobody I know want's to pull up to the dock and see the same boat they have. I know both boats are good fast boats but when I look at a boat to buy I look to be a little differant than the next guy and resale. The Donzi has both over the Fountain and if you are not a one brand guy there are also a few other boats to look at now with the way prices are dropping.

You guys are going around in circles comparing way too different of boats.

So far mentioned:

38 Fountain Lightning (pleasure boat)
42 Fountain Lightning (pleasure boat)
42 Fountain PR (pleasure-ized race boat; no cabin)
38 Donzi ZRC (preasure-ized race boat; no cabin)
38 Donzi ZR (pleasure boat)

Get your boats straight and then compare apples to apples.




Then come see me and find out why the AT is better. :D :D :D

But it is so much fun fun stirring the Fountain pot!:circle:

If Tom A. and me are in his boat - you can scrub 10mph of the top speed of his 38ZRC :p

We'll never get on plane if we add Big Adam, Bazooka and Marty!:party-smiley-004:

Are you saying that AT is a better boat?

I don't have to get my facts straight because I stayed right with the original question and gave my opinion of the two boats Mike is looking at.

Guess I should have told him a Baja would be a better choice.:rolleyes:

'Typed' totally in jest Mark. To each their own on which is "better."

Of the 5 boats I mentioned, I like the ZRC better. I've driven the "dog killer" and loved the boat.

:evilb::ernaehrung004::eek:

I know Brian!

Just like to push your buttons buddy.

Take care

I agree:drink:,