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

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

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003 has the edge at 172 lbs dry weight versus 263 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 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 SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003 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 REF Outboard 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 is certified for 1. 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 O/B 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003. 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 2003 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003. 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 2003 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 from the same manufacturer?

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

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003

2003

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

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

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 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 225 hp, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 has a 75-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003'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 O/B 2005 carries 52 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003. 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 196 REF Outboard 2003 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003 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 SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFunDeck 196 REF Outboard

ModelSunDeck 217 O/B

Model Year2003

Model Year2005

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 - Detail2,630 lbs

Weight - kg780.18

Weight - kg1192.95

Weight - lbs.172

Weight - lbs.263

Height - DetailBridge Clearance 60 in

Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 54 in

Height - Meters1.52

Height - Meters1.37

Height - Inches6

Height - Inches54

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

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

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 max150 hp

Engine max225 hp

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people1

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,440 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailn/a

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

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

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003 has the edge at 172 lbs dry weight versus 263 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 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 SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003 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 REF Outboard 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 is certified for 1. 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 O/B 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003. 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 2003 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005?

The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2003. 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 2003 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 O/B 2005 from the same manufacturer?

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