Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 boat specs
Hurricane Boats
Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008
2008
View full specs →
VS
Hurricane Boats FunDeck  196 REF 2006 boat specs
Hurricane Boats
Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006
2006
View full specs →

Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 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 232 OB 2008 measures 23,0 feet overall (2008), 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 FunDeck 196 REF 2006 tips the scales at 213 lbs — 182 lbs less than the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 at 31 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 232 OB 2008 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 232 OB 2008 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 232 OB 2008 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 232 OB 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 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
MakeHurricane Boats
ModelFDGS 232 OB
ModelFunDeck 196 REF
Model Year2008
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in
Beam90.5 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches90.5
Deadrise12.5°
Deadrisenot available
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
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detail10 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.25
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches1
Weight - Detail3,100 lbs
Weight - Detail2,130 lbs
Weight - kg1406.14
Weight - kg966.15
Weight - lbs.31
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
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
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max300 hp
Engine max150 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,200 lbs
Maximum capacity1,225 lbs
Maximum people12
Maximum people9

Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006?
The Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 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 232 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006?
For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 has the edge at 31 lbs dry weight versus 213 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006. 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 232 OB 2008 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 232 OB 2008 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 232 OB 2008 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 232 OB 2008 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006?
The Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 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 232 OB 2008 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FDGS 232 OB 2008 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.