Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 has the edge at 263 lbs dry weight versus 3 995 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007. 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 tops out at 225 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 is certified for 10. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 share an 102 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 52 gallons and 52 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007

2007

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002

2002

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 has a 75-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002's 225-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 52 gal and 52 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 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 SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O

ModelSunDeck 217 Outboard

Model Year2007

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam102"

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail58 in

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.47

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches58

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail17 in

Draft [max] - Detail12"

Draft [max] - Meters0.43

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Inches17

Draft [max] - Inches12

Weight - Detail3,995 lbs

Weight - Detail2630 lbs

Weight - kg1812.1

Weight - kg1192.95

Weight - lbs.3995

Weight - lbs.263

Length - Feet21

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail20' 10"

Length overall - Meters6.6

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches26

Length overall - Inches24

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine max225

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,440 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people1

Maximum people10 persons

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 or the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 has the edge at 263 lbs dry weight versus 3 995 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007. 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 tops out at 225 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 is certified for 10. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 share an 102 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 52 gallons and 52 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 and Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 and the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 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 218 RE-3 Gate I/O 2007 full specs ← Hurricane Boats SunDeck 217 Outboard 2002 full specs