Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008?

The Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 is the longer of the two at 18,8 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 has the edge at 213 lbs dry weight versus 2 968 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 is certified for 9. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 share an 90.5 in. (2.3 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 29 gallons and 29 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 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.

Boat Comparison

Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012

2012

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a tri-hull Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 against a pontoon Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 at 18,8 ft versus Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 tips the scales at 2 968 lbs — 2 755 lbs more than the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 at 213 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and 150 hp for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 29 gal and 29 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFD 196 OB

ModelFD 196 REF OB

Model Year2012

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in. (2.3 m)

Beam90.5 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches90.5

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail10 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.25

Draft [drive up] inches1

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

Weight - Detail2,130 lbs

Weight - kg1346.26

Weight - kg966.15

Weight - lbs.2968

Weight - lbs.213

Length - Feet18.83

Length - Feet18

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

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Inches226

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise10°

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail27 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.69

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches27

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeTri-Hull

Hull typePontoon

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (110 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine max150 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people9

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,870 lbs

Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008?

The Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 is the longer of the two at 18,8 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 has the edge at 213 lbs dry weight versus 2 968 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 is certified for 9. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 share an 90.5 in. (2.3 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 29 gallons and 29 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 and the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 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.

← Hurricane Boats FD 196 OB 2012 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 full specs