Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 175 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001. 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 238 RE I/O 2005 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 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 REF Outboard 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 238 RE I/O 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001. 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 REF Outboard 2001 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001. 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 REF Outboard 2001 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 REF Outboard 2001 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001

2001

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 320 hp, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has a 305-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001's 15-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 238 RE I/O 2005 carries 52 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001. 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 238 RE I/O 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 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 238 RE I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 Outboard 2001 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 REF Outboard

ModelFunDeck 238 RE I/O

Model Year2001

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5"

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches102

Draft [max] - Detail11"

Draft [max] - Detail18 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.28

Draft [max] - Meters0.46

Draft [max] - Inches11

Draft [max] - Inches18

Weight - Detail1750 lbs

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs

Weight - kg793.79

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.175

Weight - lbs.44

Length overall - Detail18' 10"

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches285

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 59 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.5

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches59

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet23

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

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

Engine max15

Engine max320 hp

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people12

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,725 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 175 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001. 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 238 RE I/O 2005 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 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 REF Outboard 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 238 RE I/O 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001. 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 REF Outboard 2001 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001. 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 REF Outboard 2001 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2001 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 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 REF Outboard 2001 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck 238 RE I/O 2005 full specs