Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 has the edge at 263 lbs dry weight versus 4 579 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013. 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 2013 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 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 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 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 2013 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 48 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013. 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 2013 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 236 OB 2013 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013

2013

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003

2003

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 250 hp, the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003'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 Outboard 2003 carries 52 gallons versus 48 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013. 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 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 236 OB 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 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 Outboard 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 236 OB

ModelSunDeck 217 Outboard

Model Year2013

Model Year2003

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 - Detail2630 lbs

Weight - kg2077

Weight - kg1192.95

Weight - lbs.4579

Weight - lbs.263

Length - Feet23.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.17 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters7.16

Length overall - Meters6.35

Length overall - Inches282

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 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

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max250 hp (186 kW)

Engine max225 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people12 (10)

Maximum people10 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 has the edge at 263 lbs dry weight versus 4 579 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013. 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 2013 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 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 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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.

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

Both the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 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 2013 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 48 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013. 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 2013 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 236 OB 2013 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 236 OB 2013 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 full specs