Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009?

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 has the edge at 3 275 lbs dry weight versus 4 475 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009. 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 FDGS 231 OB 2009 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 is certified for 12. 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 share an 102 in 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009?

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 52 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008

2008

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a pontoon Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 against a modified vee Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 at 23,0 ft versus Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 at 23,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 tips the scales at 4 475 lbs — 1 200 lbs less than the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 at 3 275 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 300 hp, the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 has a 50-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008'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 FDGS 231 OB 2009 carries 61 gallons versus 52 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 12 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 and its 300-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 with its 250-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFD 238 RE3 OB

ModelFDGS 231 OB

Model Year2008

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise12℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in

Draft [drive up] - Detail14 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.38

Draft [drive up] meters0.36

Draft [drive up] inches15

Draft [drive up] inches14

Draft [max] - Detail32 in

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail3,275 lbs

Weight - Detail3,150 lbs. Wet: 4,475 lbs

Weight - kg1485.51

Weight - kg2029.82

Weight - lbs.3275

Weight - lbs.4475

Length - Feet23

Length - Inches9

Length - Inches2

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Meters7.06

Length overall - Inches285

Length overall - Inches278

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typePontoon

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail61 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Liters230.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel tank capacity - Gal61

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max250 hp

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,500 lbs

Maximum capacity2,750 lbs

Maximum people12

Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009?

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 has the edge at 3 275 lbs dry weight versus 4 475 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009. 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 FDGS 231 OB 2009 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 is certified for 12. 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 share an 102 in 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009?

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 52 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 full specs