Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 boat specs
Hurricane Boats
Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008
2008
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Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 boat specs
Hurricane Boats
Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009
2009
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Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 — Which Pontoon Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 are pontoon designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 measures 22,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 at 18,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 tips the scales at 325 lbs — 304 lbs less than the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 at 21 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 200 hp, the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 has a 50-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 29 gal and 29 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 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 FD 226 RE OB 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 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 RE4 OB
ModelFD 226 RE OB
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90.5 in
Beam90.5 in
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches90.5
Beam - Inches90.5
Deadrise10°
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail10 in
Draft [drive up] - Detail10 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.25
Draft [drive up] meters0.25
Draft [drive up] inches1
Draft [drive up] inches1
Draft [max] - Detail27 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.69
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches27
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail2,100 lbs
Weight - Detail2,050 lbs. Wet: 3,250 lbs
Weight - kg952.54
Weight - kg1474.17
Weight - lbs.21
Weight - lbs.325
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet22
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches2
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Meters5.74
Length overall - Meters6.76
Length overall - Inches226
Length overall - Inches266
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typePontoon
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp
Engine max200 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,870 lbs
Maximum capacity2,415 lbs
Maximum people9
Maximum people13

Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009?
The Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009?
For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 325 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE 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 FD 226 RE OB 2009 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 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 RE4 OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 is certified for 13. 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 RE4 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 share an 90.5 in 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 RE4 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009?
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 RE4 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 RE4 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 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.