Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006?

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 has the edge at 213 lbs dry weight versus 4 475 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 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 FDGS 231 OB 2009 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 tops out at 150 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 231 OB 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 is certified for 9. 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 FDGS 231 OB 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006. 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 231 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006?

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 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 231 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009

2009

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 measures 23,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 at 18,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 tips the scales at 4 475 lbs — 4 262 lbs more than the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 at 213 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 300 hp, the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 has a 150-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006's 150-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 231 OB 2009 carries 61 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006. 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 231 OB 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 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 FunDeck 196 REF 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFDGS 231 OB

ModelFunDeck 196 REF

Model Year2009

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam90.5 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches90.5

Draft [drive up] - Detail14 in

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.36

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches14

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Weight - Detail3,150 lbs. Wet: 4,475 lbs

Weight - Detail2,130 lbs

Weight - kg2029.82

Weight - kg966.15

Weight - lbs.4475

Weight - lbs.213

Length - Feet23

Length - Feet18

Length - Inches2

Length - Inches1

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters7.06

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Inches278

Length overall - Inches226

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail60 in

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.52

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches6

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail10 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.25

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail61 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters230.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal61

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max300 hp

Engine max150 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,750 lbs

Maximum capacity1,225 lbs

Maximum people12

Maximum people9

Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006?

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 has the edge at 213 lbs dry weight versus 4 475 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 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 FDGS 231 OB 2009 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 tops out at 150 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 231 OB 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 is certified for 9. 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 FDGS 231 OB 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006. 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 231 OB 2009 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006?

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 231 OB 2009 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 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 231 OB 2009 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 full specs