Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 has the edge at 325 lbs dry weight versus 2 675 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003. 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 tops out at 200 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 226 RE OB 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 is certified for 10. 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009. 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 226 RE OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009. 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 226 RE OB 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 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 226 RE OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009

2009

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 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 300 hp, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 has a 100-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009's 200-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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 carries 52 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009. 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 FD 226 RE OB 2009 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 caps at 10. 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFD 226 RE OB

ModelSunDeck 217 I/O

Model Year2009

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches102

Draft [drive up] - Detail10 in

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Draft [drive up] meters0.25

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches1

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Weight - Detail2,050 lbs. Wet: 3,250 lbs

Weight - Detail2675 lbs

Weight - kg1474.17

Weight - kg1213.36

Weight - lbs.325

Weight - lbs.2675

Length - Feet22

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters6.76

Length overall - Meters6.35

Length overall - Inches266

Length overall - Inches25

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail14 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches14

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailBridge Clearance 54 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.37

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches54

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

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 typenot available

Engine max200 hp

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,415 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people13

Maximum people10 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 has the edge at 325 lbs dry weight versus 2 675 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003. 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 tops out at 200 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 226 RE OB 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 is certified for 10. 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009. 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 226 RE OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009. 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 226 RE OB 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 226 RE OB 2009 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 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 226 RE OB 2009 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2003 full specs