Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 has the edge at 32 lbs dry weight versus 172 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004. 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 231 O/B 2007 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 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 Outboard 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 is certified for 12. 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 GS 231 O/B 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004. 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 2004 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004. 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 FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 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 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004

2004

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 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 300 hp, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 has a 150-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004'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 FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 carries 61 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004. 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 FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 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 FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 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 FF Outboard 2004 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 Outboard

ModelFunDeck GS 231 O/B

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches102

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail11 in

Draft [max] - Detail14 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.28

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inches11

Draft [max] - Inches14

Weight - Detail1720 lbs

Weight - Detail3,200 lbs

Weight - kg780.18

Weight - kg1451.49

Weight - lbs.172

Weight - lbs.32

Height - DetailBridge Clearance 60 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.52

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches6

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Meters7.06

Length overall - Inches226

Length overall - Inches278

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail53 in

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.35

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches53

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet23

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches2

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail61 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Liters230.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel tank capacity - Gal61

Engine max150 hp

Engine max300 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Water capacityn/a

Water capacitynot available

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people12

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailn/a

Trailer - Detailnot available

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 has the edge at 32 lbs dry weight versus 172 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004. 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 231 O/B 2007 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 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 Outboard 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 is certified for 12. 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 GS 231 O/B 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004. 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 2004 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 has the bigger tank at 61 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004. 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 FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 FF Outboard 2004 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 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 2004 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2007 full specs