Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 1 237 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006. 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 REF 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 tops out at 135 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 REF 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 is certified for 6. 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 218 REF 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006. 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 218 REF 2004 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 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 REF 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004

2004

View full specs →

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 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 218 REF 2004 has a 65-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006's 135-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 218 REF 2004 carries 52 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006. 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 218 REF 2004 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 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 GS 172 O/B 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeHurricane Boats

ModelFunDeck 218 REF

ModelFunDeck GS 172 O/B

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam85 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches85

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail9 in

Draft [max] - Detail11 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.23

Draft [max] - Meters0.28

Draft [max] - Inches9

Draft [max] - Inches11

Weight - Detail2900 lbs

Weight - Detail1,237 lbs

Weight - kg1315.42

Weight - kg561.09

Weight - lbs.29

Weight - lbs.1237

Height - DetailBridge Clearance 59 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.5

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches59

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Meters6.6

Length overall - Meters5.11

Length overall - Inches26

Length overall - Inches201

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet16

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel tank capacity - Gal26

Engine max200 hp

Engine max135 hp

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Water capacityn/a

Water capacitynot available

Maximum people10 persons

Maximum people6

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity844 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailn/a

Trailer - Detailnot available

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 1 237 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006. 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 REF 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 tops out at 135 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 REF 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 is certified for 6. 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 218 REF 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006. 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 218 REF 2004 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 218 REF 2004 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 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 REF 2004 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 O/B 2006 full specs