2000 Fountain 42
|
During the past two decades, offshore performance has experienced phenomenal growth. Much of it can be directly attributed to Reggie Fountain Jr., the energetic CEO of Fountain Powerboats. By designing rigs like the 42' Lightning, he is promoting the sport by building fast boats that handle well and are safe to drive. |
 |
The 42' Lightning incorporates products like quad-directional fiberglass cloth mixed with vinylester resin. High density PVC foam coring is used in sectional areas of the bottom and sides. Since the boat is meant for offshore high-speed excursions, it has to be tough. The deck combines form and function with scoops built into the sides for engine cooling and airflow. Forward near the beak-shaped bow is a self-draining anchor locker, with line slot and mounting bracket. A low, stainless-steel safety rail continues from the bow to where the deck rises at the windshield. There are two hatches placed strategically above the lounge and V-berth to allow natural light into the cabin.
Fountain doesn't take a back seat to any builder when it comes to luxury belowdecks. Featuring a six-person lounge, deep V-berth, contemporary galley with flip-up countertop, enclosed head, stereo and a powerful air conditioning system, the 42 is dressed to the max.
Motorheads will probably get a bigger kick out of the high-performance aft cabin - you know, the one where two big blocks hang out. Otherwise known as the engine compartment, it's spacious enough to make maintenance a pleasure. While 7.4-litre Mercury MerCruiser MPIs are listed as standard, I'd clearly opt for the motors in our test boat - a pair of 500 EFIs, sporting 470 hp each. For better balance, handling and acceleration, the motors are staggered.
The 42's cockpit is every bit as striking as the cabin, with beautifully stitched upholstery work and padding. Superior safety measures have been taken, with stainless grabhandles and supportive bolsters.
Fountain tradition prevails at the helm, with white Gaffrig gauges installed in a horseshoe pattern around a competition steering wheel. Southpaws will especially enjoy the portside installed throttle/shifters, but right-handed drivers like them too. You get used to them very quickly!
During our test run, I put my left hand to good use, but my rough-water exercises have to wait. There was barely a whisp of wind to keep us cool, much less provide any waves to test the Lightning at its best.
Flat-water testing actually separates the winners from the also-rans when evaluating offshore performance boats. Better-handling hulls perform equally well in calm and rough water. Many offshore boats rely on choppy water and lots of wind to provide lift (four to five-foot waves really turn on this 42) but the 42's hull is so well engineered and balanced that it handles perfectly in glass-like conditions.
In 1999, Team Fountain's V-76 set a new world speed record for V-bottoms at 140.120 mph. We can't promise that you'll see anywhere near that speed with stock high performance motors totaling 940 hp, but this boat will run an honest 80 mph plus, any day of the week. Naturally, more power is available depending on your need for speed and wallet size.
The 500 EFIs had plenty of punch. The speedometer indicated 88 mph at 5,300 rpm, but GPS locked us in at 81.6 mph - a genuinely fast speed for a 9,400-lb. boat. Acceleration was impressive too. Turning a 15 1/2" X 26" four-blade Hydromotive propeller, the hull planed in 5.2 seconds, hit 40 mph in 10 seconds, 60 mph in 15.9 seconds, and 70 mph in 20 seconds.
At slower speeds, the boat feels a bit mushy during slalom manoeuvres, but once you get to 50 mph, the bottom's tricks start working. The 22.5 degree deadrise V, pad bottom, notch transom and now "SuperVentilated Positive Lift" running surface are not gimmicks, but work in unison to provide incredible handling and control.. Whether running slowly, cruising or at wide-open throttle (WOT), the boat doesn't porpoise. It tracks straight as a die and turns with minimal banking. At high speed, the hull corners best when the trim was set neutral or slightly positive. If trimmed too negative, the bow will steer and the stern might come around faster than you want. The 42' Lightning is a standard-setting boat, refined through meticulous attention to detail and Reggie Fountain's personal quest to deliver the best possible performance in a variety of water conditions. It's vintage Fountain - all the way.
Specs: Power/ Performance:
|
|
Test boat engine: Acceleration: Top speed (GPS): Cruising speeds (GPS):
|
For the dealer nearest you contact:
Magellan GPS
Jim Earle Marine
7857 Highway 11 North, P.O. Box 322, Orillia, Ont. L3V 6H3
Tel.: (705) 325-6000
for other dealers near you contact:
Fountain Powerboats, Inc.
P.0. Drawer 457, 1653 Whichards Beach Road, Washington, NC, U.S.A., 27889
Tel: (919) 975-2000,
http://www.fountainpowerboats.com/
