I'd have to flip a coin to decide.
ed

Been in both. A staggered 42 lightning is blowing right by a 38 top gun on a rough water poker run like its not even there. Period.

Raf

I like Fountains, & obviously love Cigarettes too.

I think the Fountains ride great at high speeds, & have a better hull for going fast under them than the 38 Cigarette does by comparison.

The Cigarette however has a nicer fit & finish throughout the boat for my tastes, & overall I would buy the Cigarette given the choice between the two.

Vee bottoms need to appeal to their owners in ALL areas in my opinion, rather than just in the speed category. You should be comparing the 38 Fountain to the 38 Cigarette, & the 42 Cigarette to the 42 Fountain. That is more apples to apples for comparison.

The 42 Fountain Poker Run Edition is my overall favorite Fountain. The 39 Cigarette Unlimited would likely be my favorite Cigarette overall.

I'm not trying to be a smart azz, but isn't the 42 Fountain really close to the same length as the 38 TG if you exclude the beek and the swim platform?

I know someone that bought a used 2009 Myco that was built for a 42 Fountain and used it for his 38 TG... it fit the TG just fine. A 42 Cig is much larger than a 42 Fountain (if you exclude the pecker extenders)... Probably much better in the rough, but a lot slower too.

If its a new(ish) staggar 42 ittl walk away from it.

I know what you mean.

Yes, but for the 38 Cigarette to be compared to what is supposed to be a bigger boat, it isn't fair for it to get slammed in some areas when they make a 42 as well that no one ever dares to compare to the 42 Fountain.

The Cigarette wins the discussion based on this fact every time. It's supposed to be a smaller boat, but gets compared to bigger boats most of the time. Their 42' boat that compares using length as the measuring stick seems to blow away most of the others that use the same length by comparison.

Really????? I beg to differ!!!!

The Cig isn't 'supposed' to be a smaller boat. it doesn't have an integrated swim platform and that fountain beak is good for a realistic foot compared to the cig.

plus, money talks. power being equal (say 525's) you can buy a 42 fountain that is newer than a 38 or 39 cig... and still save money.

In the end, I like both boats. I think I'd probably want the cig more, but doubt it would win in the decision process because of the premium price.

Cigs hold their value better than a fountain too...something else to consider