Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 boat specs
Hurricane Boats
Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009
2009
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VS
Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 boat specs
Hurricane Boats
Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006
2006
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Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 measures 25,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 at 19,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 tips the scales at 3 057 lbs — 2 662 lbs more than the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 at 395 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 250 hp, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 has a 100-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009'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 SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 carries 77 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009. 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 257 DC OB 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 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 257 DC OB 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 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 RE3 OB
ModelSunDeck 257 DC OB
Model Year2009
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90.5 in
Beam102 in
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches90.5
Beam - Inches102
Draft [drive up] - Detail10 in
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 - Detail1,720 lbs. Wet: 3,057 lbs
Weight - Detail3,950 lbs
Weight - kg1386.63
Weight - kg1791.69
Weight - lbs.3057
Weight - lbs.395
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet25
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Meters5.79
Length overall - Meters7.75
Length overall - Inches228
Length overall - Inches305
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail73 in
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.85
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches73
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail20 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.51
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail77 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Liters291.48
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Fuel tank capacity - Gal77
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp
Engine max250 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,900 lbs
Maximum capacity1,725 lbs
Maximum people9
Maximum people12

Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006?
The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 comes in at 19,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006?
For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 has the edge at 395 lbs dry weight versus 3 057 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009. 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 SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 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 RE3 OB 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 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 257 DC OB 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009. 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 RE3 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006?
The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 has the bigger tank at 77 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE3 OB 2009 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 257 DC OB 2006 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.