Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 263 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003. 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 2003 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 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 FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 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 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005. 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 FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005

2005

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 225 hp, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 has a 75-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005'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 SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 carries 52 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005. 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 2003 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 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 SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 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 FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 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

ModelFunDeck 196 FF O/B

ModelSunDeck 217 Outboard

Model Year2005

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches102

Draft [max] - Detail10 in

Draft [max] - Detail14 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.25

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inches1

Draft [max] - Inches14

Weight - Detail2,100 lbs

Weight - Detail2630 lbs

Weight - kg952.54

Weight - kg1192.95

Weight - lbs.21

Weight - lbs.263

Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 60 in

Height - DetailBridge Clearance 54 in

Height - Meters1.52

Height - Meters1.37

Height - Inches6

Height - Inches54

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Meters6.35

Length overall - Inches226

Length overall - Inches25

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp

Engine max225 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,225 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people9

Maximum people10 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 263 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003. 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 2003 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 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 FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 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 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005. 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 FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 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 FunDeck 196 FF O/B 2005 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2003 full specs