Overview

Boating with small children can be a fraught experience. I have a pair of toddler grandchildren, and they sure move fast. There’s a low-level hum of anxiety when they are aboard, even though they are buttoned up in their life jackets. For family boating, security is paramount, which is why we think this new Hurricane SunDeck 3200 OB deserves consideration if some of your crew are about knee-high. Which is not to imply that swingin’ singles or empty nesters won’t also enjoy the SunDeck 3200. It’s packed with a lot of great design features.

Engines

Hurricane takes a step away from its 50-year-old deck-boat roots with the launch of this wide-beam 32-foot model envisioned as the ultimate dayboat. Squeezing every ­desirable ­feature into any boat will always require some give-and-take, but ­Hurricane has found ways to give us exceptional room for entertaining, lounging, and casual overnighting with minimal compromise. Hurricane also offers good value in this segment. Consider its go-to competitor, a 34-foot-9-inch Sea Ray Sundancer 320 OB—a slightly longer wide-beam, cabin- and hardtop-equipped dayboat with bow seating and outboard power. Base price with twin Mercury Verado 400 outboards is about $507,000. That price includes joystick control—a $25,000 option from Hurricane—but it does not include features such as premium audio, an aft-facing seat at the transom, a windlass, a cabin television and a twin 12-inch MFD, all of which are standard equipment on the SunDeck 3200.

A key design element of the SunDeck 3200 is its high freeboard, ­measuring about 5 feet, 6 inches from gunwale to waterline. This enables both a very deep bow cockpit and a cabin with 6 feet, 3 inches of headroom. The disadvantage could be added windage and an elevated center of gravity, both of which could make the boat tender and prone to ­heeling in a crosswind. To mitigate this, Hurricane commissioned a hardtop and supports formed of carbon-fiber composite that it claims weighs only 270 pounds.

Interior and Accessories

The thought of kids on a boat came to mind when we walked forward on a passway to port, with 35 inches of depth that is maintained throughout the bow cockpit. Here, there’s a three-wide seat that also wraps to starboard around a table, which can be lowered and covered with a matching pad to ­create an expansive lounge. The very broad bow is squared off and covered with soft MarineMat, with two steps to port for easy egress if ­boarding at the bow from a dock. Compartments in the bow deck can hold 12-inch fenders, and in the center is a hatch over the ­standard Lewmar windlass.

If you’d prefer to lounge at the stern, there is a cove-ready swing-back seat at the transom, so you can choose to face the water or join seating in the cockpit that wraps around a table. The table lowers and can be covered to create an aft sun lounge. A galley console to starboard incorporates a wide countertop with a sink and space for an optional grill ($1,244) topping a slide-out 4.5-cubic-foot ­refrigerator/freezer and a drawer designed to hold a 30-quart cooler.

In place of a midcabin, Hurricane chose to create massive stowage below the cockpit sole accessed through a 30-by-30-inch hatch. Close to 4 feet deep, it has space for an optional Seakeeper 2 gyrostabilizer ($41,660), with plenty of room left for all your stuff. There’s also ­excellent access here to well-organized connections for audio components and the ­C-Zone digital switching network. Batteries and space for an optional 7.5 kW genset are ­below the aft seat base.

Through a sliding hatch and down three steps to the cabin, you’ll find a space with all that headroom and plenty of ambient light. Forward is a settee with a small table that converts to a V-berth that’s a good size for those little boaters come nap time. The breaker panel, a small microwave and a 20-liter fridge are at the base of the steps, with an enclosed head across the way.

A double-wide helm seat fronts a dash with a pair of 12-inch Simrad NSX displays. Other helm features include a wireless device charger, a Mercury VesselView screen, a pair of heated/chilled drink holders and an audio remote.

We took the SunDeck 3200 for a spin on Lake Wawasee in Indiana and immediately noted the excellent visibility from the helm because the main support for the hardtop is well behind the captain’s line of sight. The V-10 Mercury outboards are designed for thrust, and they did not disappoint, hoisting us on plane in about 7 seconds and charging to 30 mph in 12.2 seconds, with a full load of fuel and five people aboard. The boat handles well but is a little tender in a crosswind and leans into the slightest motion of the wheel. We think that Lenco Pro Control auto tabs ($2,535) to stabilize both pitch and roll would be an ideal option to check on the order form. So, take your kids boating! Just keep their sticky fingers off the Simrad screens.

Read Next: Hurricane SunDeck 2600 OB

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Mercury V-10 Verado 400 outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/18″ x 21″ Mercury Revolution X 4-blade
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 248 gal. Water on Board: NA Crew Weight: 1,000 lb.

High Points

• Designed from the inside out, with cabin headroom as the first priority. The requisite freeboard results in a deep, comfortable bow cockpit, an elevated helm, and cavernous stowage below the sole.
• Smart to skip a midberth and devote that space to stowage and a Seakeeper.
• Nice standard features include the hardtop, premium audio, and a pair of 12-inch MFDs.

Low Points

• No gate between the cockpit and the transom platform.
• No audio remote at the transom or bow seating areas.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Hurricane SunDeck 3200 OB appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

The Hurricane SunDeck 2600 OB features a symmetrical layout with twin reversible-­back stern lounges. Flipped forward, the backrests allow those facing aft to lounge and watch swimmers or enjoy the sunset. Flip them aft, and the more-upright backrest position proves ideal for those who want to face forward.

Interior and Accessories

Up front, the bowrider seats offer the perfect amount of recline. We liked the playpen option that fills the bow with cushions.

Because there’s a sterndrive version of this boat, the outboard iteration nets a massive 2-foot-deep compartment from the empty engine space. In addition to underseat storage, a roomy head compartment with a freshwater sink is also ideal for storing large items, if the toilet won’t be used.

We tested the SD 2600 in Havasu City, Arizona, under a blazing sun. Yet, we kept cool, thanks to the optional wakeboard tower ($19,028) with its expansive, black mesh-fabric top. The top is power-actuated, rated to 55 mph, and remains level when lowered to limbo under low bridges.

The helm on our test SD 2600 featured dual ­Simrad NSX 3007 GPS displays ($3,473), along with the controller for the standard Fusion six-speaker stereo system, which can be upgraded to a dual-amp system with two additional stern speakers and remote as well as a subwoofer ($556). A premium JL Audio system is also available. The helm seats have standard electric cup-holder coolers. Other notable standards? A stern shower and wireless phone charging stations.

Engine

Our test boat was powered with a Honda 350 hp outboard. The smooth-running new V-8 from Honda displayed its engine data through the ­Simrad display while we recorded its speeds.

The Honda 350 outboard proved smooth in cornering and held its power and bite in turns. 

Deck boats usually can’t boast of seakeeping ability, but the SunDeck 2600 OB sports a 19-degree deep-V hull, which helps it slice through the chop. At cruise speeds, the robust hull rides slightly bow-up at 3 to 4 degrees of running angle, and although Lake Havasu was pondlike on test day, its design inspires confidence for big-water cruising.

How We Tested

• Engine: Single Honda 350 hp V-8
• Drive/Props: Solas 16″ x 18″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.79:1 Fuel Load: 54 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 750 lb.

High Points

• The large head compartment with a freshwater sink is a huge plus for ­families with kids. 
• The SD 2600 now has a windlass option ($4,494). 
• The base boat is well-equipped with a six-speaker Fusion stereo and a Bimini top. Eight hull-color options are available ($695).

Low Points

• The Oasis Cognac vinyl-seat option can get hot.
• The rear-facing stern seats can’t be used when cruising.
• The swim platform is small compared with the one on the sterndrive version.

Toughest Competitor

The slightly longer Sea Ray SDX 250 is the smallest in its deck-boat line. It also has reversible stern seating, a slightly larger swim platform, and a heavier, deeper-V hull with 21 degrees of deadrise. Its maximum available Mercury-only power is a 300 hp V-8 Verado, which pushes its price to $138,070.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Hurricane SunDeck 2600 OB appeared first on Boating Mag.

We Say: The Hurricane CC21 is versatile enough for a morning of fishing but also great for taking the family to the sandbar in the afternoon. Angling features include forward and aft casting platforms, a trolling-motor electrical plug in the bow, a livewell in the transom, insulated fish boxes and rod-stowage lockers. Under gunwale racks help you stow even more rods.

You can convert the bow area into a lounger with optional filler cushions, and create stern seating with the addition of cushions and backrests.

Lift the front of the console to reveal a head compartment with 62 inches of headroom. The 29-inch-wide helm portion of the console features a two-tone finish that cuts glare. The helm seat features a pivoting backrest that lets you face forward or aft, and underneath is a 70-quart insulated cooler.

Powered by a Yamaha F200 outboard, our test boat jumped on plane in three seconds and reached 30 mph in seven seconds en route to a top speed of almost 46 mph at 5,800 rpm. The cathedral-style hull offered wonderful stability and predictable handling. — Jim Hendricks

Who’d Want One: Buyers seeking a happy compromise between a center console fishing boat and a family deck boat for lakes, rivers and coastal waters.

Another Choice: The NauticStar 211 Angler ($45,879 with a Yamaha F150 outboard) is also a deck boat with a center console, but it has a side door for the console head compartment.

Bottom Line: $62,425 (as tested); hurricaneboats.com

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Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2690 OB

Hurricane makes no bones about the reason for the existence of the SunDeck 2690 OB. The boat is designed to offer existing 2200 and 2400 owners a familiar craft to move up to in the SunDeck lineup. It’s also intended to appeal to customers on larger bodies of water — those more prone to larger waves and stronger currents, such as the Florida Gulf Coast — who demand a bigger boat than Hurricane previously offered. The boatbuilder tapped renowned hull design firm C. Raymond Hunt with the task of creating such a boat while retaining the SunDeck’s trademark shallow draft and stable, dry ride. Hunt has a long track record of successful rough-water hulls, including the current Grady-White fleet, the eponymous Hunt Yachts boats and the legendary Bertram 31. The result is a boat that embraces the familiar Hurricane lines while featuring a variable deadrise; wide, pronounced chines; a generous 9-foot beam, and minimal 15-inch draft.

Hurricane carries that 9-foot beam nearly all the way forward, giving the 2690 a spacious foredeck that enables boarding from either port or starboard. A central locker houses both the anchor and a flip-out boarding ladder. The cockpit behind also takes full advantage of that beam. There’s room for adults, whether seated on the facing benches or kicked back in reclining mode. Step through the open windshield, and the main cockpit features dual helm chairs (each with a flip-up bolster), starboard entertainment center with optional electric grill and refrigerator, and an L-shaped bench with central walk-through to the swim platform. An optional, fold-out jump seat can be added to the starboard coaming should you need to fit in just one more passenger. Below the floor, a fiberglass stringer grid provides the necessary rigidity, while also forming a clean, gelcoated liner for the below-seat storage compartments. That combination stringer/liner also makes possible an enormous in-floor ski locker, accessible by two separate hatches, as well as an oversize, low-maintenance head compartment with wood cabinet, solid surface countertop and stainless-steel sink.

At speed, the 2690 displayed surprising agility, diving in and out of corners with precision and confidence that belied its size. It also planed quickly, leveling off in only 3.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 46.9 mph.

Buyer’s Spotlight
*Center transom walk-through and extended swim platform allow easy boarding.
*Standards include Garmin EchoMap 70s chart plotter and battery charger. Options include grill with inverter and shore-power connection.
*Ports in seat cushions and a sliding door in the removable cooler lid below allow easy access to refreshments.

Specs
LOA: 26’4″
Beam: 9’0″
Dry Weight: 2,718 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: Yacht Certified
Fuel Capacity: 98 gal.

How We Tested
Engine: Yamaha F300
Prop: Saltwater Series II 15¾” x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Fuel Load: 75 gal.
Crew Weight: 155 lb.

Price
$96,335 (as tested)

Contact
Nautic Global Group
Elkhart, Indiana; 574-522-8381; hurricaneboats.com

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Hurricane has traditionally built boats with wide running surfaces and a shallow deadrise of 12.5 degrees at the transom, attributes that make for easy planing, efficient running and great at-rest stability. But for the 2400, Hurricane steepened the deadrise to 16 degrees for sportier handling and better choppy-water ability. The trimmable outboard ends corrosion concerns.

The 8-foot-6-inch beam carries bow to stern for a lot of usable real estate. The bow cockpit’s commodious square footage features vinyl seats, forward-facing backrests on the consoles and a hardy wraparound stainless-steel grab rail that helps ensure passenger safety.

With our Yamaha F300 test power, this boat proved worthy of tow-sports duty, with a quick 3.8-second hole shot and a top speed above 52 mph. The deeper V helps it carve graceful turns — the trade-off is less bite than you’d have with the sterndrive version. Our tester also had the optional ($4,820) wake tower for enhanced board-­sport capability.

Who’d Want One: A coastal or big-lake family boater looking to carry a crew.

Another Choice: The Starcraft Coastal 2410 OB ($54,879 with a Yamaha F200) is another salty deck.

Bottom Line: $62,417 with test power; hurricaneboats.com

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Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Maximized space and minimized maintenance combine with comfort and utility aboard this new deck boat.

Outboards are trendy, but Hurricane didn’t need an invite to the party. The brand’s been producing outboard-powered deck boats for years, taking full advantage of their low maintenance and resulting increase in cockpit space. Without an engine compartment, the SunDeck 2200 offers a gargantuan cockpit.

A portside chair complements the helm seating. Abaft, an L-shaped lounge with a ­walk-through spans much of the transom.

The 2200’s beam is carried well forward. Lines might look runabout sleek, but the bow cockpit offers nearly every inch of width as what’s found behind the windshield. Cushions lift out to reveal dual storage areas, the larger of which is ventilated to reduce moisture. Within the port console, a fully lined head compartment features a screened port for ventilation, along with a sink. An additional pressurized sink resides at the entertainment center behind the helm seat.

Power options extend to 250 hp, and from a variety of engine manufacturers. A 200 hp Yamaha pushed our 2200 test boat onto plane in 4.4 seconds, passed 30 mph in 7.8, and topped it out at 45.4 mph. Power-assisted steering provides effortless handling, giving the captain a welcome feeling of control.

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Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB

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While most do-it-alls make compromises, the Sundeck OB Extreme shines in all areas. For cruising and water sports, its agility comes from the mating of a 16-degree deadrise hull and a spunky Yamaha F250 outboard that, in our test, handled snap turns easily, stepped up on plane in 4.4 seconds and zipped along at 48.9 mph at wide-open throttle. More impressive, though, is the nearly 4 miles per gallon the boat achieved at the comfortable cruising speed of 26 mph.

A partier is further stroked by the Thunder and Lightning stereo system that includes a sony receiver, Polk audio speakers, a subwoofer and an amplifier. The components are “racked” in the console, and a remote at the helm gives fingertip control. The subwoofer hangs from the Extreme-package wakeboard tower, which brings up the next obvious benefactor — the wakeboard rider.

The Sundeck 2400 Extreme lays down a beautiful wake at around 20 mph, and by manipulating trim and throttle, I easily shaped a perfect lip and kicker. A tough stainless-steel tow pylon that retracts into the transom is standard, so even if you don’t opt for the extreme package my test boat sported, the ’boarders in your crew can still enjoy a challenging ride.

A forward boarding platform and bow ladder add to versatility at the beach, and a stern ladder gives the expected accommodation for deeperwater boarding. We found a livewell on the bow as well and realized right away that this boat is an ideal option for coastal boaters who just happen to love to fish, swim, beach up or ride their sticks.

_**Check out the Sundeck 2400’s Virtual Test Drive for an in-depth tour**_.

The post Hurricane Sundeck 2400 appeared first on Boating Mag.

But before applauding this forward space, you have to wonder why you’d want to put an outboard on a deckboat at all. Restricting transom space seems to run contrary to this category’s primary mission: gobs of room to entertain and easy access for watersports. But for deckboat buyers in saltwater areas, the outboard offers a prime advantage. Unlike a stern drive, it can be tilted entirely out of the water – keeping the gearcase free of growth and corrosion. For some people, that alone is worth giving up some play room on the aft platform. But you’ve got to get in and out somewhere, so Godfrey came up with the Sundeck 217’s bow acreage.

The Sundeck 217 also meets the entertainment requirement with a layout suited to recreation, starting with the built-in 25-quart cooler up forward. Some people prefer removable coolers, as on the Larson 213 Escape ($36,885 with a 150-hp Mercury Optimax). But the Sundeck 217’s cooler is insulated – not all builders take that step. Then there’s the sink and faucet. The Sundeck 217’s is abaft the helm seat, whereas the 213 Escape’s is built into the port console.

The 213 Escape offers decent bow access as well but is pricier than the Sundeck 217. Both are solidly built using encapsulated, treated plywood in the guts. The 213 Escape, with 16 degrees of transom deadrise compared to the Sundeck 217’s 12 1/2 degrees, will probably handle the rough stuff better. But the Sundeck 217 comes standard with a windshield, keeping the spray out of the cockpit.

The Sundeck 217’s plastic-lined bow locker is big enough to hold a 6′ tall person or, preferably, skis and wakeboards. The four 8″ stainless-steel cleats at the bow and stern are a step up from the 6″ ones that are the category standard. But it has only one midship cleat. Why not add another for easier mooring on both sides? Other nice touches include chrome-over-bronze through-hull fittings, stainless-steel bezels on the gauges, and an especially roomy double-wide captain’s chair at the helm.

LAST WORD. The big swim platform at the bow makes this an outboard deckboat with real water access.

LOA……….20’10”

Beam……….8’6″

Draft……….2’7″

Displacement (lbs., approx.)………2,990 ** **

Transom deadrise……12 1/2° ** **

Bridge clearance…4’8″

Minimum cockpit depth ……….2’6″

Max. headroom……3’5″ ****

Fuel capacity (gal.)…52

Water capacity (gal.)..17

Price (w/standard power) ……….$31,999

Price (w/test power) ……….$31,999

STANDARD POWER: Single 150-hp Mercury Optimax V-6 outboard.****

OPTIONAL POWER: Single outboard to 200 hp.****

TEST BOAT POWER: Single 150-hp Mercury Optimax V-6 outboard with 153 cid, 3.50″ bore x 2.65″ stroke, swinging a 14 1/2″ x 19″ three/bladed ss prop through a 1.87:1 reduction.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT (major items): AM/FM cassette stereo w/2 speakers; 12v receptacle; bow and stern telescoping 3-step ladders; Bimini top w/boot.

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