Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 vs Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 or the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 has the edge at 172 lbs dry weight versus 3 816 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012. 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 SS 188 I/O 2012 is rated to a maximum of 270 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 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 REF Outboard 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 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 SS 188 I/O 2012 measures 101" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 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 REF Outboard 2004 or the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012?

The Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 has the bigger tank at 49 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 and Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 and the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 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 2004 vs Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004

2004

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 vs Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 vs Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 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 270 hp, the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 has a 120-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 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 SS 188 I/O 2012 carries 49 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 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 196 REF Outboard 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 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 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 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 SS 188 I/O 2012 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

ModelSS 188 I/O

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in

Beam101 in. (2.57 m)

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches101

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (0.33 m)

Draft [max] - Detail11 in

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.28

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches11

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1720 lbs

Weight - Detail3,465 lbs. (1,104 kg) dry 3,816 lbs. (1,733 kg) wet

Weight - kg780.18

Weight - kg1730.91

Weight - lbs.172

Weight - lbs.3816

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 - Detail18 ft. 10 in. (5.7 m)

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Inches226

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches13

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18.83

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail49 gal. (186 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Liters185.49

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel tank capacity - Gal49

Engine max150 hp

Engine max270 hp (201 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people1

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailn/a

Trailer - Detailnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeTri-Hull

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 vs Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 or the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 has the edge at 172 lbs dry weight versus 3 816 lbs for the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012. 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 SS 188 I/O 2012 is rated to a maximum of 270 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 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 REF Outboard 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 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 SS 188 I/O 2012 measures 101" wide, compared to 91" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF 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 REF Outboard 2004 or the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012?

The Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 has the bigger tank at 49 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 and Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 REF Outboard 2004 and the Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 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 2004 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SS 188 I/O 2012 full specs