Matching a tri-hull Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2012 against a modified vee Hurricane Boats SS 172 OB 2010 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2012 at 18,8 ft versus Hurricane Boats SS 172 OB 2010 at 16,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2012 tips the scales at 3 018 lbs — 2 821 lbs more than the Hurricane Boats SS 172 OB 2010 at 197 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2012 and 135 hp for the Hurricane Boats SS 172 OB 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 29 gal and 26 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 198 OB 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SS 172 OB 2010 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FD 198 OB 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 18,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats SS 172 OB 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.