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2021 Fountain 42 Lightning

• By John Tiger
• Updated: July 27, 2021

Fountain’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Harris jumps aboard our Fountain 42-foot Lightning test boat and hurries me to hop in. As we don our vests, he plugs in the fob that changes the tune on the Mercury Racing Dual Calibration sterndrives from 1,100 horses each to 1,350 each. Whoomph —they come to life. With a lumpy-cam lope, we fast-idle away from the Iconic Powerboats dock. Spinning 36-inch-pitch propellers, the slowest idle possible is about 7 mph.

Harris eases the go sticks forward; the turbos hiss and whine, and Fountain’s trademark droop-snout bow rises and then settles as we approach 40 mph at a mere 2,500 rpm. At the most economical cruise speed, the Mercury Racing engines loaf at 3,500 rpm—but speed is a ripping 71 mph, truly illustrating that old boast, “At cruise, we’re already faster than most boats will go.”

Winds are light. Chop is just under a foot. Time to go. Harris accelerates to 5,500 rpm as we rush toward 120 mph. He nudges the tachs over 6,000, and the GPS reads 131 mph. So far, the rush of wind and the roar of engines are the only clues we’re rolling so hard; the Fountain pad is locked in tight, and the boat is stable as a rock. But now, as Harris tickles the trim, tabs and throttle together in expert fashion, my butt cheeks get tight. The stern lifts and floats, ever so slightly. The hull dances. The GPS rapidly approaches 140 mph. At a steady indicated 138, Harris finally backs the trim and throttles down, looks over and says, “There’s more, but that’s enough for today.” How much more? I’d estimate at least another 3 mph, perhaps 5, with tweaking and seat time.

Some will wonder: How fast is fast enough? Just ask! Harris notes that a few have left the plant with the more powerful 1,350/1,550 packages and can top 160 mph.

Not many owners of this boat will complain about fuel consumption with a package like this. With its 218-gallon fuel cell, you could cruise for about 223 miles at 3,500 rpm. But remember: That equals 70 mph. Chances are you’ll be cruising at 2,500 rpm or less, with occasional bursts up the speed range. Handling is exactly what’s expected from a race-proven hull: Turns are tight and G-filled, and movements are quick and responsive to driver inputs. Here’s where we must advise, of course, that potential owners understand that things come up and happen quickly at the speeds the 42 Lightning can attain, and quick inputs from the pilot are needed to avoid getting into difficult situations. Keen situational awareness is a valuable sense to have when piloting such a boat.

Planing and acceleration? Zero to 30 mph took 9.5 seconds. Accelerating with this boat is not just a “grip it and rip it” affair; the spool-up of the big Merc mills takes a soft touch until the hull is planing and the props bite. After that, the only limiter on punch and speed is your nerve. The feel is not unlike that of a multi-engine aircraft in a high-performance takeoff: a smooth, forceful rush of power.

Construction? Fountain ranks in the top echelon of boatbuilders, and the Lightning is a fine example of the company’s prowess. The hull is a race-proven, hand-laid, bonded grid structure, with its sides, deck and inner liner made from composite-core materials. The guys who lay-up, assemble and rig these boats have been at it for decades, and they know how to do it right. Close inspection reveals nothing less.

Interior and Accessories

Our tester, headed to western US waters, featured an owner-ordered clean white finish complemented by a white interior, with medium-gray accents and RGB concealed rope lighting highlighting the cockpit. Aft seating boasts body-contoured triple buckets with “chicken straps” for passengers to hold when the pucker factor gets high. Pilot and co-pilot seating features retractable bolsters, and cup holders and grab rails on the back sides for those who want to stand behind and see the action firsthand. The vinyl upholstery is well-stitched and fitted cleanly, and should stand up to many years of use.

While you’re not going to spend the summer aboard the Lightning, a night spent on the water will prove comfortable for a couple thanks to a surprisingly roomy cabin belowdecks well-equipped pretty much any way the customer can specify, within reason. Our tester featured a cedar-lined hanging locker, a pull-out refrigerator, dual sinks, a portable head, wraparound cabin seating with a center table that converts to a bed, and optional air conditioning ($11,000).

The updates to this venerable warrior make it flow with the times, and the increased performance capability is astounding considering that less than a decade ago, these hulls were typically running right in the low 100 mph range with top power.

In the V-hull, ultra-performance sterndrive sportboat market, comparable hulls rigged for this kind of performance are scarce. However, Outerlimits’ SV-43 compares at 43 feet, 5 inches long and 9 feet wide, and runs comparable speeds with the same engine and drive packages. A typical SV-43 goes for about $1.1 million.

For the poker-run enthusiast and a performance-minded family, the 42 Lightning delivers in rarified air, while also providing a comfortable overnighter equally at home showing off its mind-bending capabilities or wowing the locals at the best lakeside restaurant. King of the lake doesn’t begin to describe this dude.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Mercury Racing Dual Cal 1,100/1,350 hp 9L (550ci) supercharged V-8s
• Drive/Props: Mercury Racing M8 racing sterndrives/Mercury Racing lab-finished 17″ x 36″ 6-blade lab-finished stainless-steel cleaver
• Gear Ratio: 1.33:1 Fuel Load: 100 gal. Crew Weight: 500 lb.

High Points

• Fountain used digital measuring equipment to redesign the hull so it’s more than capable at the increased speeds the venerable Mercury Racing mills provide.
• Hand-laid, stepped hull with a high-performance pad and a notched setback transom give the 42 Lightning solid handling at ultrasonic speeds.
• Rigging is executed in rugged offshore-racing style, making servicing easier and the engine bay a delight to show off to onlookers.
• While the 42 is fitted for multiple crewmembers, the tight confines of the cockpit and interior make it more of a couple’s boat—although, we suspect you’ll be tapped for thrill rides.

Pricing and Specs

Price:	$1,054,750 (base); $1,108,006 (as tested)
LOA:	42’0″
Beam:	8’3″
Draft:	1’6.5″
Displacement:	13,500 lb. (without engines)
Transom Deadrise:	23 degrees
Bridge Clearance:	5’0″
Max Headroom:	4’7″
Fuel Capacity:	218 gal.
Max Horsepower:	2,700
Available Power:	Twin Mercury Racing sterndrives to 2,700 hp total

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Fountain Powerboats – Chocowinity, North Carolina; 252-975-2000; iconicmarinegroup.com

• More: 2021 , 40-50ft , boat tests , Boats , fountain , Performance Boats , September 2021 , Sterndrives

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Fountain Boat Models

Powerful History

Fountain powerboats have been one of the premiere designers and manufacturers of ultra-high-performance speed boats, sport cruisers and offshore fishing boats for decades. our founder, reggie fountain jr., entered his first boat race at the age of 14. he eventually moved into the professional world of boat racing and by the second year of his career, fountain set two world records and earned three national closed-course championships in one day – thus, assuring him a place in boat racing history. from that time onward, he created the most innovative, high-quality, powerful boats know across the world., today, iconic marine group continues the fountain tradition of bringing new, innovative products to the market. our 2021 bluewater fishing boats continue to carry the dna that made fountain the most award-winning brand in boating history. crafted by the premier marine design team in the world, every fountain mixes quality construction, with unmatched performance and unique style., sports fishing boats, 2024 fountain 43 nx.

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2024 fountain 42 lightning.

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Fountain Announces New 42′ Lightning

Fountain Powerboats —whose legacy as a builder of high-performance and race-proven musclecraft dates back to the 1970s—announced plans Tuesday to introduce the next generation of the Fountain 42 Lightning, widely considered as the most legendary vee-bottom ever built.

With the popularity of center-console boats exploding over the last decade, Fountain’s core business has become its center-console sport and fishing boats. Today, Fountain ranks in the Top 5 nationwide in market share for center console boats over 30 feet.

However, following the purchase of Fountain by Iconic Marine Group (IMG) in 2016, Managing Director Fred Ross  and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Harris  have gradually been beefing up its high-performance offerings within both its Fountain and Donzi brands. The goal is to reestablish the company as a major force in the high performance stern drive segment.

“Our legacy in the high-performance market is evidenced by the nearly 150 years of collective history between Fountain, Baja and Donzi,” Ross said. “I went on record two years ago about my ongoing commitment high-performance stern-drive boats. “I was serious then, and today with the announcement of an all new Fountain 42′ Lighting I’m even more serious now.”

IMG’s 2020 lineup of I/O-powered vee-bottoms spells out the story pretty clearly, with Baja’s 24, 27 and 36 models, Donzi’s 22 and 38 ZRC, and the Fountain 47. In addition to its go-fast vees, IMG has developed a line of outboard powered cats including the Donzi 44 Icon and the new Fountain 34 Thunder Cat. V-bottom or cat, today, IMG today ranks among the world’s largest buyers of high performance outboards and stern drives.

Yesterday, Ross and Harris, joined by Fountain Director of Dealer Development Fred Pace, laid out the details of the new 42′ Lightning to the staff of Speedboat Magazine. The boat’s new look honors the classic styling while sporting extensive changes in the deck and cockpit design. The goal: modernize the boat and make it more user-friendly.

“At first glance, this boat has been six months in the making,” Ross said. “But when you consider all the R&D, racing and customer input, it has actually been more than 40 years in the making.”

Harris said that company founder Reggie Fountain —who continues as a consultant with IMG—helped shape the project every step of the way. “Reggie was involved throughout the design phase,” Harris said. “He saw no need to change the running surface—it’s the same, because you really can’t improve on that.”

“The new generation 42′ Lightning incorporates everything I’ve learned over the last 40 years about high performance boating,” Fountain told Speedboat . “The 42’s performance is legendary and unmatched. No brag, just fact. Just look at the record book. Next you add in all the design and styling updates, and there isn’t a high performance pleasure boat that compares.”

Steve Miller , Mercury Racing ‘s Director of Marketing, Sales and Service, said he was delighted to see IMG resurrect the Lightning.

“It’s such great brand, and Mercury has been a part of it for so long,” he told Speedboat . “With the 42 Lightning, modern technology meets those classic lines. I think it’s going to be a runaway hit. With the 1100/1350 dual-calibration engines, it’s going to be a rocketship. Even with the 1100s, it’s going to be a super-fast boat, running on the 89 octane. So we’re really excited to be part of the project, and in the presence of such great partners with Fred and the rest of the good folks at Iconic.”

Using several artist’s renderings, Harris took Speedboat on a virtual walkaround of the new 42′ Lightning. Here are some of the highlights of the boat:

Deck Features • Seasmart brushed anodized cleats with the Fountain logo. • Seasmart brushed anodized fills. • Single engine hatch controlled via hydraulic hinges (a change from the old-style double hatches from years past). • Sun pad with walkway on either side. • Intakes feature a landing big enough for a step. • Larger intakes. • Frameless wraparound windshield. • Raised foredeck for more cabin headroom. • All-new fiberglass hatches.

Transom Features • Easy access cockpit walkway. • Optional jl audio speakers and remote. • Transom shower. • Pull out ladder with grabhandles. • RGB swim platform lighting. • Foam deck mat. • Pop-up cleats.

Cockpit Features (2) electric actuated bolster seats. • Cup holders. • Grab handles. • Optional vessel view 502. • seat back storage pockets. • JL Audio sound system. • 4x 7.7 speakers. • 2×12” subwoofer. • AMP 600/6 channel. • MM100 head unit at starboard dash. • USB outlets. • Easy access cockpit steps. • 3 person bench seat with large storage tub or cooler (insulated with drain plugs). • Dash storage.

Dash Features Optional livorsi gauges. • 4x 2 5/8 gauges (2x fuel, 2x water pressure). • 2x 3 5/8 gauges (tachometer). • Standard dash vessel view 703. • Standard garmin 8612. • Garmin 8616 option. • Trim tab indicators. • Mil spec toggle switches. • Dual throttle/shift combo (port or starboard). • Two tier footrests – port and starboard dash. • Optional removable steering wheel.

Cabin Features Lounge seating. Optional collapsible table with insert cushion. • Forward storage compartment. • Optional air-conditioning system. • Optional audio upgrade. • 2x 7.7 speakers. • 1x mm100 head unit. • Cup holders. • GFI outlets.

Head Features • Standard porta potti. • Optional compact toilet with 9 gal waste tank. • Towel holder. • Robe holder.

Galley Features • Port and starboard closet storage. • Optional refrigerator. • Pull out trash can. • Storage cabinets below galley. • Corian countertops. • Galley sink(s) with optional fresh water faucet.

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