Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 has the edge at 302 lbs dry weight versus 2 968 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 tops out at 31 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 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.

Boat Comparison

Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012

2012

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002

2002

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 has a 119-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002's 31-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 SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 carries 61 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012. 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 SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 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 SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 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

ModelFD 196 4 OB

ModelSunDeck 237 I/O

Model Year2012

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in. (2.3 m)

Beam102"

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches102

Draft [drive up] - Detail10 in. (0.25 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.25

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches1

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Weight - Detail2,100 lbs. (953 kg) dry 2,968 lbs. (1,348 kg) wet

Weight - Detail3020 lbs

Weight - kg1346.26

Weight - kg1369.85

Weight - lbs.2968

Weight - lbs.302

Length - Feet18.83

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in. (5.7 m)

Length overall - Detail23' 2"

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Inches226

Length overall - Inches276

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail14"

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches14

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeTri-Hull

Hull typenot available

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 typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine max31

Operational Info

Maximum people9

Maximum people12 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 has the edge at 302 lbs dry weight versus 2 968 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012. 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 FD 196 4 OB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 tops out at 31 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 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 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 SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012. 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 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012. 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 2012 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 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.

← Hurricane Boats FD 196 4 OB 2012 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2002 full specs