Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 has the edge at 263 lbs dry weight versus 3 425 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009. 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 2004 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 tops out at 200 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 201 OB Special 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 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 FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 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 FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004?

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 FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 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 201 OB Special 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009

2009

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 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 2004 has a 25-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009's 200-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 SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 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 SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 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 201 OB Special 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFDGS 201 OB Special

ModelSunDeck 217 Outboard

Model Year2009

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Weight - Detail2,360 lbs. Wet: 3,425 lbs

Weight - Detail2630 lbs

Weight - kg1553.55

Weight - kg1192.95

Weight - lbs.3425

Weight - lbs.263

Length - Feet20.08

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail20.08 ft

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters6.35

Length overall - Inches240.96

Length overall - Inches25

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail14 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches14

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

Engine/s standard115 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

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 max200 hp

Engine max225 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,410 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people1

Maximum people10 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 has the edge at 263 lbs dry weight versus 3 425 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009. 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 2004 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 tops out at 200 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 201 OB Special 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 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 FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 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 FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004?

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 FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 201 OB Special 2009 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 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 201 OB Special 2009 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2004 full specs