Inboard express cruiser 42' Lightning

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Overview
More than a year in development, the V-bottom 42' Lightning receives a 2027 update with a next-generation deck, transom, cabin, cockpit and dash while retaining Fountain’s race-proven bottom design to optimize top speed, midrange acceleration and ride control.

Key narrative
The 42' Lightning preserves its proven double-step hull and pad keel while adopting modernized decking, transom and cockpit layouts for improved usability. Mercury Racing remains the exclusive power partner and each boat is tuned for hull-to-engine performance.

Features

• Dual helm seating with electric bolsters and custom inlaid upholstery
• Standard starboard Garmin display; optional port dash Garmin for co-captain
• Cabin configurable to full V-berth with additional upholstery attachments
• Cabin bar with solid-surface tops, dual fiberglass tubs with overboard drains
• Enclosed head: Dometic MSD porta-potti with deck pump-out and dedicated storage lockers
• Fresh water pump for galley/transom and pressurized transom shower (9 gal)
• Triple rear bench with two bolstered seats featuring electric drop-down
• Billet stainless accents on seat frames, handles, steps and engine compartment

Mechanical & electrical features

• Tinned, color-coded wiring
• Trim tabs: Mercury K-Plane 380 hydraulic
• Engine controls: Mercury DTS with engine trim
• Fuel system: 3/16" HD aluminum, two-bank configuration
• Power distribution: AC and DC panels
• Bilge pumps (3): two aft 1500 GPH, one forward 1500 GPH with Ultra Safety Systems float switches
• Bilge blowers (2) by Attwood
• Propellers: CNC 5-blade Mercury stainless, performance matched
• Steering: Latham Marine hydraulic high-performance tie-bar
• Automatic fire extinguisher and fuel vapor detector
• Sea strainer: Latham; engine flush: fresh water with city water hook-up

Console features

• Carbon-fiber reinforced panel
• Push-button LED switches
• Isotta Italian leather steering wheel, polished stainless

Cockpit features

• Fresh water pump (9 gal) and pressurized transom shower
• Two bolstered electric drop-down helm seats and triple aft bench
• Premium cockpit upholstery and form-fitted cockpit cover over windshield
• Concealed transom ladder

Cabin features

• Cabin bar with solid-surface tops, two FG tubs with overboard drains; U-shaped upholstered settee
• USB outlets for device charging
• Trash storage: drawer and cabinet
• Head: Dometic MSD porta-potti with deck pump-out
• Flooring: CNC-cut EVA foam; hanging locker cedar-lined

Electronics

• Starboard helm: Garmin 8612 with USB ports
• Engine monitoring: Mercury VesselView kit (VV502)

Audio

• JL Audio system with Fusion 670 source controller
• Amplifiers: 400 W 4-channel marine Class D and 600 W mono marine Class D
• Speakers: 7.7" M Series coaxial with RGB accent lighting (4 cockpit speakers)
• Subwoofers: two 10" M Series with RGB accent lighting

Lighting & accessories

• RGB cockpit lights and Shadow-Caster computerized RGB control
• Underwater RGB Shadow-Caster lights; LED navigation lights in rubrail
• Fender attachments (6) with quick-release push-pin locks

Batteries & charging

• Three HD batteries with billet brackets/step plates, remote switches and receptacle
• Two start batteries for twin engines and one deep-cycle house battery
• Three remote battery switches (On/Off) and three-bank automatic charger

Construction

• Positive-lift hull: double step, pad keel, notched transom
• Hull: vacuum-infused with 100% vinyl ester resin; solid fiberglass bottom and high-density cored hull sides
• Stringer grid: structurally bonded FRP panels, fiberglassed in place
• Deck: vacuum-infused, high-density core with 100% vinyl ester resin
• Hull, grid, deck and liner bonded with structural adhesive and glassed together
• Blueprinted hull bottom optimized for maximum performance

Options / power

• Multiple Mercury twin configurations available (examples): Twin 565 EFI - Bravo 1 XR SSM; Twin 860 QC4v - #6 drives; Twin 1100 SCI NXT 1 SSM - #6 drives; Twin 1350 QC4v dry sump - #8 drives
• Console/helm options: additional Garmin displays (8610 add or 8616 in lieu of 8612) and extra USB outlets in dash

Notes
Performance tuning performed at Fountain’s Washington, NC facility; exclusive partnership with Mercury Racing. Gallery images show cockpit, cabin, deck and hull details.

Specifications / technical data

• Length: 42'
• Beam: 8'4"
• Dry weight (approx.): 13,400 lbs (estimated)
• Fuel capacity: 250 gal
• Water capacity: 9 gal
• Bridge clearance: 5'6"
• Draft (max, drives down): 1'6.5"
• Deadrise: 23°
• Max HP: Dual 1350 QC4Vs (representative maximum option shown)