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.