The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2006 vs Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260 I/O 2005 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2006 at 23,0 ft versus Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260 I/O 2005 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260 I/O 2005 tips the scales at 755 lbs — 723 lbs less than the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2006 at 32 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 640 hp, the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260 I/O 2005 has a 340-hp advantage over the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2006's 300-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 SunDeck 260 I/O 2005 carries 135 gallons versus 61 gallons in the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 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 SunDeck 260 I/O 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2006 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260 I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Hurricane Boats SunDeck 260 I/O 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hurricane Boats FunDeck GS 231 O/B 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.