Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 comes in at 18,8 feet, making it roughly 4,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 3 087 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011. 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 FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011. 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 196F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 196F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011

2011

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 measures 23,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 4,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 at 18,8 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 tips the scales at 3 087 lbs — 3 043 lbs more than the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 at 44 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 320 hp, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has a 170-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011'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 FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 carries 52 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011. 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 238 RE I/O 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 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 238 RE I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 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 196F OB

ModelFunDeck 238 RE I/O

Model Year2011

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in. (2.3 m)

Beam102 in

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 - Detail2,130 lbs. (966 kg) Wet: 3,087 lbs. (1,400 kg)

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs

Weight - kg1400.24

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.3087

Weight - lbs.44

Length - Feet18.83

Length - Feet23

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

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Inches226

Length overall - Inches285

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail18 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.46

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches18

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 59 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.5

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches59

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

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 - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine max320 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (861 kg)

Maximum capacity1,725 lbs

Maximum people9

Maximum people12

Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 comes in at 18,8 feet, making it roughly 4,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 3 087 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011. 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 FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 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 196F OB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011. 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 196F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 196F OB 2011 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 196F OB 2011 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 full specs