Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 has the edge at 302 lbs dry weight versus 1 237 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 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 SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 tops out at 135 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 FDGS 172 OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008. 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 FDGS 172 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 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 FDGS 172 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008

2008

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 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 320 hp, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 has a 185-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 SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 carries 61 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 SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFDGS 172 OB

ModelSunDeck 237 I/O

Model Year2008

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam85 in

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches85

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16°

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail11 in

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Draft [drive up] meters0.28

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches11

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail28 in

Draft [max] - Detail14 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches14

Weight - Detail1,237 lbs

Weight - Detail3020 lbs

Weight - kg561.09

Weight - kg1369.85

Weight - lbs.1237

Weight - lbs.302

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches9

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters5.11

Length overall - Meters7.06

Length overall - Inches201

Length overall - Inches278

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailBridge Clearance 54 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.37

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches54

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail61 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters230.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal26

Fuel tank capacity - Gal61

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max135 hp

Engine max320 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,350 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people6

Maximum people12 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 has the edge at 302 lbs dry weight versus 1 237 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 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 SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 tops out at 135 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 FDGS 172 OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008. 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 FDGS 172 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2008 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 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 FDGS 172 OB 2008 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 237 I/O 2003 full specs