The Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE Outboard 2001 vs Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 I/O 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 135 hp, the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 I/O 2006 has a 133-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE Outboard 2001's 2-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 26 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 228 RE Outboard 2001 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 I/O 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 228 RE Outboard 2001 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats FunDeck 228 RE Outboard 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 172 I/O 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.