When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats FDGS 202 OB 2008 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 measures 16,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hurricane Boats FDGS 202 OB 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FDGS 202 OB 2008 tips the scales at 2 425 lbs — 1 188 lbs less than the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 at 1 237 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 200 hp, the Hurricane Boats FDGS 202 OB 2008 has a 65-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008's 135-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 202 OB 2008 carries 52 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008. 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 FDGS 172 OB 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FDGS 202 OB 2008 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 202 OB 2008. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 202 OB 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.