Fountain 38 SFC First Glance

Today’s American society moves at lightning speed. Getting to a remote fishing spot within reasonable time while burning a minimum amount of fuel is the 38 SFC’s raison d’être.

When it comes to running fast offshore, nobody does it better than Reggie Fountain. He offers you the faster choice of twin MerCruiser 425-hp (496 cubic inch) gasoline engines coupled to Bravo III drives – power that pushes the 38 to a top speed of more than 62 mph and an efficient cruising speed of more than 50 mph. Or, you can opt for more fuel-efficient twin Cummins MerCruiser 320-hp diesels with Bravo III XR drives. These top out at more than 50 mph and cruise at about 45 mph – but provide a fuel economy of 2 mpg.

Astute readers will ask, “This boat’s been around for a while; what’s so new about it?” Fountain has bumped up the comfort level considerably. It’s carried the max beam all the way down to the chine, providing much more volume in the interior, greater lateral stability and a wider chine for a drier ride. Also adding to internal space is the more vertical stem, actually making the running surface longer and adding about a foot to the overall floor-length inside.

But don’t think that improving the cruising features detracts from the 38’s fishing ability. You get a spacious cockpit (with an optional fighting chair), two 30-gallon livewells, a transom door, two insulated 63-gallon fish boxes, a bait-and-tackle rigging station, an ice maker and loads of on-deck dry storage.

Below, the stateroom sports a double V-berth bed, built-in dresser, cedar-lined hanging locker, stand-up head with a shower and VacuFlush toilet and a galley with sink, microwave oven and refrigerator/freezer. The salon area provides comfortable seating for four, a removable table, a TV, stereo and DVD/CD player and an aft cabin with sleeping accommodations for one or two, depending upon size.