Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 has the edge at 31 lbs dry weight versus 213 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008. 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 REF OB 2008 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 tops out at 3 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 REF OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 is certified for 14. 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 FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008. 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 REF OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008. That 37-gallon difference translates to roughly 111–185 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 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 REF OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008

2008

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002

2002

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 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 REF OB 2008 has a 147-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002's 3-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 FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 carries 66 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008. 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 FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF 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 FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF 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

ModelFD 196 REF OB

ModelFunDeck GS 248 Outboard

Model Year2008

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in

Beam102"

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise10°

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [max] - Detail27 in

Draft [max] - Detail12"

Draft [max] - Meters0.69

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Inches27

Draft [max] - Inches12

Weight - Detail2,130 lbs

Weight - Detail3100 lbs

Weight - kg966.15

Weight - kg1406.14

Weight - lbs.213

Weight - lbs.31

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Detail24'

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Meters7.32

Length overall - Inches226

Length overall - Inches288

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail66 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Liters249.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel tank capacity - Gal66

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp

Engine max3

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,870 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people9

Maximum people14 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 has the edge at 31 lbs dry weight versus 213 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008. 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 REF OB 2008 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 tops out at 3 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 REF OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 is certified for 14. 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 FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008. 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 REF OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008. That 37-gallon difference translates to roughly 111–185 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196 REF OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 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 REF OB 2008 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 248 Outboard 2002 full specs