Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 has the edge at 172 lbs dry weight versus 3 275 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008. 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 tops out at 150 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 FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 is certified for 9. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003?

The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 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 FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008

2008

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 has a 100-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003's 150-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 FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 carries 52 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003. 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFD 238 RE3 OB

ModelFunDeck 196 RE Outboard

Model Year2008

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam90.5 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches90.5

Deadrise12℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Draft [drive up] meters0.38

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches15

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail32 in

Draft [max] - Detail11 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.28

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches11

Weight - Detail3,275 lbs

Weight - Detail1720 lbs

Weight - kg1485.51

Weight - kg780.18

Weight - lbs.3275

Weight - lbs.172

Length - Feet23

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches9

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Inches285

Length overall - Inches226

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailBridge Clearance 60 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.52

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches6

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max250 hp

Engine max150 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,500 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum people9 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 has the edge at 172 lbs dry weight versus 3 275 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008. 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 tops out at 150 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 FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 is certified for 9. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003?

The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 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 FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE Outboard 2003 full specs