Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 boat specs
Hurricane Boats
Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011
2011
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VS
Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 boat specs
Hurricane Boats
Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008
2008
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Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a tri-hull Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 against a modified vee Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 measures 23,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 4,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 at 18,8 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 tips the scales at 3 057 lbs — 2 631 lbs more than the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 at 426 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 has a 170-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 carries 61 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeHurricane Boats
MakeHurricane Boats
ModelFD 196 4 OB
ModelFDGS 232 I/O
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90.5 in. (2.3 m)
Beam102 in
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches90.5
Beam - Inches102
Draft [drive up] - Detail10 in. (0.25 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.25
Draft [drive up] meters0.38
Draft [drive up] inches1
Draft [drive up] inches15
Weight - Detail2,100 lbs. (953 kg) Wet: 3,057 lbs. (1,387 kg)
Weight - Detail4,260 lbs
Weight - kg1386.63
Weight - kg1932.3
Weight - lbs.3057
Weight - lbs.426
Length - Feet18.83
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in. (5.7 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Meters5.74
Length overall - Meters7.06
Length overall - Inches226
Length overall - Inches278
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise12.5°
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail32 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches32
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches2
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeTri-Hull
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (110 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail61 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Liters230.91
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Fuel tank capacity - Gal61
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine max320 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (861 kg)
Maximum capacity2,200 lbs
Maximum people9
Maximum people12

Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008?
The Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 comes in at 18,8 feet, making it roughly 4,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008?
For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 has the edge at 426 lbs dry weight versus 3 057 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008?
The Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2011 and the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 I/O 2008 are built by Hurricane Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.