Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007?

The Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 is the longer of the two at 23,5 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 21,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 has the edge at 263 lbs dry weight versus 4 579 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 236 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 236 OB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 tops out at 225 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 236 OB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 is certified for 1. 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 236 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 share an 102 in. (2.59 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 48 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 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 236 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012

2012

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 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 FD 236 OB 2012 measures 23,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 21,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 tips the scales at 4 579 lbs — 4 316 lbs more than the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 at 263 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 250 hp, the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007's 225-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 O/B 2007 carries 52 gallons versus 48 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012. 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 236 OB 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 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 236 OB 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFD 236 OB

ModelSunDeck 217 O/B

Model Year2012

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (0.33 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Weight - Detail3,475 lbs. (1,578 kg) dry 4,579 lbs. (2,079 kg) wet

Weight - Detail2,630 lbs

Weight - kg2077

Weight - kg1192.95

Weight - lbs.4579

Weight - lbs.263

Length - Feet23.5

Length - Feet2

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.14 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters7.16

Length overall - Meters6.35

Length overall - Inches282

Length overall - Inches25

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail54 in

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.37

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches54

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail14 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches14

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeTri-Hull

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal. (182 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal48

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max250 hp (186 kW)

Engine max225 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people12

Maximum people1

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,440 lbs

Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007?

The Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 is the longer of the two at 23,5 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 21,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 has the edge at 263 lbs dry weight versus 4 579 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 236 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 236 OB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 tops out at 225 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 236 OB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 is certified for 1. 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 236 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 share an 102 in. (2.59 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 48 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 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 236 OB 2012 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2007 full specs