Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 has the edge at 425 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 SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 is rated to a maximum of 450 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 tops out at 250 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 260OB Outboard 2004 is certified for 14. 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 260OB Outboard 2004 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 260OB Outboard 2004?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 has the bigger tank at 135 gallons, versus 48 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012. That 87-gallon difference translates to roughly 261–435 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 260OB Outboard 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 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 260OB Outboard 2004

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012

2012

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 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 450 hp, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 has a 200-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012's 250-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 260OB Outboard 2004 carries 135 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 SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFD 236 OB

ModelSunDeck 260OB Outboard

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

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] - Detailn/a

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 - Detail4250 lbs

Weight - kg2077

Weight - kg1927.77

Weight - lbs.4579

Weight - lbs.425

Length - Feet23.5

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters7.16

Length overall - Meters7.98

Length overall - Inches282

Length overall - Inches314

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 75 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.91

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches75

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeTri-Hull

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal. (182 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail135 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters511.03

Fuel tank capacity - Gal48

Fuel tank capacity - Gal135

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max250 hp (186 kW)

Engine max450 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people12

Maximum people14 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 has the edge at 425 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 SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 is rated to a maximum of 450 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 tops out at 250 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 260OB Outboard 2004 is certified for 14. 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 260OB Outboard 2004 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 260OB Outboard 2004?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 has the bigger tank at 135 gallons, versus 48 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012. That 87-gallon difference translates to roughly 261–435 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 260OB Outboard 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2012 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260OB Outboard 2004 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 260OB Outboard 2004 full specs