Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 has the edge at 2 675 lbs dry weight versus 4 575 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011. 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 236F OB 2011 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 tops out at 21 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 236F OB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 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 236F OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 share an 102 (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 236F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 48 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011. 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 236F OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 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 236F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011

2011

View full specs →

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001

2001

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 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 236F OB 2011 has a 229-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001's 21-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 2001 carries 52 gallons versus 48 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011. 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 236F OB 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 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 236F OB 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011 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 I/O 2001 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 236F OB

ModelSunDeck 217 I/O

Model Year2011

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 (2.59 m)

Beam102"

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. (1,576 kg) Wet: 4,575 lbs. (2,075 kg)

Weight - Detail2675 lbs

Weight - kg2075.18

Weight - kg1213.36

Weight - lbs.4575

Weight - lbs.2675

Length - Feet23.5

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length overall - Detail20' 10"

Length overall - Meters7.16

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches282

Length overall - Inches24

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail14"

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches14

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

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 max21

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,700 lbs. (1,225 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum people10 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 has the edge at 2 675 lbs dry weight versus 4 575 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011. 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 236F OB 2011 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 tops out at 21 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 236F OB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 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 236F OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 share an 102 (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 236F OB 2011 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 48 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011. 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 236F OB 2011 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 236F OB 2011 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 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 236F OB 2011 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2001 full specs