Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012?

The Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,2 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 comes in at 18,8 feet, making it roughly 3,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 has the edge at 3 127 lbs dry weight versus 3 168 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 226 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 198 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 198 OB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 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.

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

Both the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 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 198 OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012?

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 198 OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 and the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 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 198 OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011

2011

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 — Which Tri-Hull Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 and the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 are tri-hull 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 OB 2012 measures 22,2 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 at 18,8 feet (2011). At 3 127 lbs and 3 168 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011'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 OB 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 198 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 FD 226 OB 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 22,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FD 198 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 198 OB

ModelFD 226 OB

Model Year2011

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in. (2.3 m)

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches90.5

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.25

Draft [drive up] inches1

Weight - Detail2,150 lbs. (975 kg) Wet: 3,127 lbs. (1,418 kg)

Weight - Detail2,300 lbs. (1,044 kg) dry 3,168 lbs. (1,438 kg) wet

Weight - kg1418.38

Weight - kg1436.98

Weight - lbs.3127

Weight - lbs.3168

Length - Feet18.83

Length - Feet22.17

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

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 2 in. (6.75 m)

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Meters6.76

Length overall - Inches226

Length overall - Inches266

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeTri-Hull

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (110 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine max200 hp (149 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people9

Maximum people13

Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012?

The Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,2 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 comes in at 18,8 feet, making it roughly 3,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 has the edge at 3 127 lbs dry weight versus 3 168 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 226 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 198 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 198 OB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 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 198 OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 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 198 OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012?

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 198 OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2011 and the Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 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 198 OB 2011 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FD 226 OB 2012 full specs