Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 has the edge at 172 lbs dry weight versus 1 237 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 tops out at 15 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 Outboard 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 is certified for 6. 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 FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 measures 91" wide, compared to 85" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 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 FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 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 FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002

2002

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 135 hp, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 has a 120-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 29 gal and 26 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 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 FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 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

ModelFunDeck 196 FF Outboard

ModelFunDeck GS 172 O/B

Model Year2002

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5"

Beam85 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches85

Draft [max] - Detail11"

Draft [max] - Detail11 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.28

Draft [max] - Inches11

Weight - Detail1720 lbs

Weight - Detail1,237 lbs

Weight - kg780.18

Weight - kg561.09

Weight - lbs.172

Weight - lbs.1237

Length overall - Detail18' 10"

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.11

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches201

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet16

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel tank capacity - Gal26

Engine max15

Engine max135 hp

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people6

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity844 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 has the edge at 172 lbs dry weight versus 1 237 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 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 FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 tops out at 15 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 Outboard 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 is certified for 6. 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 FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 measures 91" wide, compared to 85" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 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 FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 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 FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2002 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 full specs