Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 has the edge at 197 lbs dry weight versus 263 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002. 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 217 Outboard 2002 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009. 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 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 FDGS 172 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009

2009

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002

2002

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 225 hp, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 has a 90-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009'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 217 Outboard 2002 carries 52 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009. 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 217 Outboard 2002 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 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 217 Outboard 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 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 217 Outboard

Model Year2009

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam85 in

Beam102"

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches85

Beam - Inches102

Draft [drive up] - Detail11 in

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.28

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches11

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,239 lbs. Wet: 1,970 lbs

Weight - Detail2630 lbs

Weight - kg893.58

Weight - kg1192.95

Weight - lbs.197

Weight - lbs.263

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches9

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Detail20' 10"

Length overall - Meters5.11

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches201

Length overall - Inches24

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail12"

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches12

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal26

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max135 hp

Engine max225

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,350 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people6

Maximum people10 persons

Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 has the edge at 197 lbs dry weight versus 263 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002. 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 217 Outboard 2002 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009. 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 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 172 OB 2009 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 FDGS 172 OB 2009 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 full specs