Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 23 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF 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 226 REF O/B 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 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 226 REF O/B 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 is certified for 9. 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 226 REF O/B 2005 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 share an 90.5 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 226 REF O/B 2005 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007?

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 226 REF O/B 2005 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 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 226 REF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007

Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005

2005

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Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 measures 22,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 at 18,0 feet (2007). At 23 lbs and 21 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 has a 50-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007's 150-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 226 REF O/B 2005 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 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 226 REF O/B 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 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 226 REF O/B

ModelFunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate

Model Year2005

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches90.5

Draft [max] - Detail10 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.25

Draft [max] - Inches1

Weight - Detail2,300 lbs

Weight - Detail2,100 lbs

Weight - kg1043.26

Weight - kg952.54

Weight - lbs.23

Weight - lbs.21

Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 54 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.37

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches54

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Feet18

Length - Inches2

Length - Inches1

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 2in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters6.76

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Inches266

Length overall - Inches226

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail60 in

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.52

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches6

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Engine max200 hp

Engine max150 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,745 lbs

Maximum capacity1,225 lbs

Maximum people13

Maximum people9

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007?

The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 or the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007?

For trailering, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 23 lbs for the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF 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 226 REF O/B 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 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 226 REF O/B 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 is certified for 9. 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 226 REF O/B 2005 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 share an 90.5 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 226 REF O/B 2005 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007?

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 226 REF O/B 2005 and Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 226 REF O/B 2005 and the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 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 226 REF O/B 2005 full specs ← Hurricane Boats FunDeck 196 RE-3 Gate 2007 full specs