Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 has the edge at 2 675 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 tops out at 27 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 52 gallons and 52 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2002

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008

2008

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002

2002

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 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 223-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002's 27-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 52 gal and 52 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 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 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 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 238 RE3 OB

ModelSunDeck 217 I/O

Model Year2008

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam102"

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise12℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

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] - Detail14"

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches14

Weight - Detail3,275 lbs

Weight - Detail2675 lbs

Weight - kg1485.51

Weight - kg1213.36

Weight - lbs.3275

Weight - lbs.2675

Length - Feet23

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches9

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Detail20' 10"

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches285

Length overall - Inches24

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max250 hp

Engine max27

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,500 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum people10 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 has the edge at 2 675 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 tops out at 27 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 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 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 52 gallons and 52 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FD 238 RE3 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 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 SunDeck 217 I/O 2002 full specs