Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 has the edge at 175 lbs dry weight versus 235 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005. 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 228 RE O/B 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 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 REF Outboard 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 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 228 RE O/B 2005 measures 92" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 29 gallons and 29 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 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 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002

2002

View full specs →

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 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 200 hp, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005 has a 185-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 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 29 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 228 RE O/B 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 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 228 RE O/B 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 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 228 RE O/B

Model Year2002

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5"

Beam91.5 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches91.5

Draft [max] - Detail11"

Draft [max] - Detail10 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.28

Draft [max] - Meters0.25

Draft [max] - Inches11

Draft [max] - Inches1

Weight - Detail1750 lbs

Weight - Detail2,350 lbs

Weight - kg793.79

Weight - kg1065.94

Weight - lbs.175

Weight - lbs.235

Length overall - Detail18' 10"

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters6.76

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches266

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 60 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.52

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches6

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches2

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Engine max15

Engine max200 hp

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people12

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,615 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 has the edge at 175 lbs dry weight versus 235 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005. 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 228 RE O/B 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 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 REF Outboard 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 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 228 RE O/B 2005 measures 92" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 29 gallons and 29 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2002 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 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 2002 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE O/B 2005 full specs