Hurricane Fundeck 216 OB

Name: Hurricane Fundeck 216 OB
Brand: HURRICANE

If party boats are your preference, the Hurricanes are certainly worth a look.

LIKES

- Value for money party boat
- Plenty of stowage
- Behaves like a v-bottom boat when manoeuvring

DISLIKES

- Power-to-weight ratio would be marginal with more than four people on board.
- Steering being mechanical cable, would be taxing on the weaker -rmed skipper. Hydraulic would be ideal

OVERVIEW

Smaller boat for the budget-conscious

We’ve visited the Hurricane here on line previously in the form of the Fundeck 236. Realising there is a budget-conscious segment in the market out there, Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales have addressed the issue with the Fundeck 216 OB which is obviously shorter but featuring a lower-horsepower rating.
And while it may not be what all who lean toward this type of family fun boat aspire to, it is a starting point and one which won’t strain the bank balance.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

All the equipment for a ready-to-go package

The 216 OB has a recommended retail price of $51,800 and for a vessel capable of transporting 10 people that is good value for money, on-water fun in anyone’s books.

Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales have seen the advantage in bringing these boats to our shores with enough bells and whistles to alleviate having to option up before launching.

Given the size of these craft they are ideally-suited to a permanent mooring in a canal estate. Their beam of 2.59m is over most State’s legal towing limits of 2.50m without permits and conditions so for most buyers, there will not be a hassle having to dry store the boat or maintain a trailer of mammoth proportions.

Standard fit is a Sony X-Pod stereo and the wiring harness to which an iPhone may be connected to for some personalised audio entertainment via stainless-steel speakers.

A basic Lowrance X-50DS depth sounder was fitted as standard which would offer the basic requirements when navigating around shallow waters though on the day we could not get it to fire up; most likely a wiring problem.

It comes with all the necessary navigations lights for legal night-time operation along with two headlights fitted into the front panels above the outer deck.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION

Could convert to a weekender...

While no specific accommodation is built into this boat, the sky is the limit should you want to revamp the 216 OB into a weekender or longer, ‘holiday on water’ prospect. Three large lounges make accommodation for three immediately available and some work after market with infills and extended awnings with insect screens would see this boat become very versatile for those wanting to get away for a while.

The seats are softly upholstered and the bases hinge inwards to reveal extensive storage underneath. The structure of the seat modules is rotaform plastic and is quite sturdy. The outer sides are covered with upholstered vinyl. These modules have closed-in bottoms to prevent any seepage coming in from wet outer decks and the top sides have guttered edges which drain externally to prevent water ingress into the storage area. This design allows the boat to be left out in the elements without the need to remove all of the contents to prevent mould and mildew.

While it has the fuel and freshwater capacity to do extended cruising, extra refrigeration or iceboxes would be required. There is plenty of deck space to grow that aspect and if wanting to keep the topside uncluttered, cool stowage could be put down inside the hull via the large hatch in the centre of the deck. The hold down there is huge to say the least.

The front gate is central and one steps out onto a short foredeck in which there is a hatch holding the ground tackle. Another gate is mid-ship portside and the surrounding rails form part of the framework that is clad with aluminium and the lounge modules are installed against these.

An aft lounge is situated portside opposite the helm station which is a smooth contoured console featuring a galley sink and pressurised freshwater tap.

The iPod wiring harness exits from here with a rack to hold the device and the small icebox slips inside the console out of the way.

The rear railing is a permanent fixture in the centre and can hold the removable fishing rod rack. It also has a tow rope hook.

MECHANICAL AND HULL

Hydraulic steering would be an advantage

The boat was fitted with mechanical cable steering which was easy enough on the arms when the motor was correctly trimmed. At other times and when trimmed in for cornering the amount of torque at the helm would prove difficult for those weak of limb. It would be advantageous to all to have a hydraulic steering system on this boat but no doubt this would have to be undertaken at an optional extra cost to the buyer.

The hulls on this and other Hurricane Fundeck boats are fibreglass with fibreglass deck and with voids other than the large stowage bin, foam filled for buoyancy.

ON THE WATER

Performs like a sports boat

As a boat for a family of four, the attached Mercury 115hp four stroke makes the grade. It was not stunning in its hole shot but could climb onto the plane and get to an estimated top speed at WOT of 35km/h. With more bodies aboard and towing water toys this horsepower would be left wanting slightly. And towing skiers might be a big call getting them out of the water quickly enough.

These hulls perform similar to a normal monohull trailer boat in that they lean into corners rather than out, the latter behaviour typical of flat bottomed or pontoon-hulled party boats. This makes for comfortable fun on the water as inertia is reduced for the occupants who might feel vulnerable if the opposite was the case when sitting in an open and spacious environment.

With chines running well forward before sweeping up to the forward corners of the bow we expected good stability and were not disappointed. A stable platform at rest, it certainly is.

Aside from the steering issue, the hull performed well and could handle tight manoeuvring without too much side slip and was surprisingly soft riding when traversing chop, especially when one considers its beam across the bottom between the chines. And it is a quiet traveller with the foam filling deadening a lot of the ambient water noise that usually travels through hulls with large voids there in.

People looking for this type of family relaxation have to start somewhere in their hunt and the 216 OB is as good a place as any.

RATINGS

Overall rating: Mechanical/equipment: 4.2/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.3/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.2/5.0
Value for money: 4.5/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0

SPECIFICATIONS

Price: $51,800
LOA: 6.1m
Beam: 2.59m
Weight: 1367kg dry
Engine: Mercury 115hp four-stroke
Fuel: 220 litres
People Day: 10

Supplied by:

Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales
76-84 Waterway Drive, Coomera Qld 4209
Telephone (07) 5502 5866
Email david@lscruisersales.com.au
Website www.lscruisersales.com.au

Hurricane Fundeck 216 OB

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