INDEPENDENT BOAT TEST RESULTS

Hurricane GS 201

Reprinted from "Trailer Boats" May 2000 by Stuart Bourdon

FunDeck GS 201 New Image in Deckboat Performance

Having me test a deck boat is like asking teenagers to do their chores: They generally give you that look that says, "Do I have too?" It's not that I don't like deck boats, but for the most part, they are the minivans of the run about world. Yes, they're popular and admirably utilitarian, moving people in comfort and offering amenities such as spacious seating and voluminous stowage, but they don't often inspire descriptions like, "nimble handling and sporty styling." That, however, was before I spent a day in the 2000 Hurricane FunDeck OS 201. The FunDeck OS 201, like all Hurricane models, features an exceptionally well-built and designed hull. Measuring 20 feet, 1 inch overall from stem to stern, the 8-foot, 6-inch- beamed hull weighs 3313 pounds dry. Godfrey calls its FunDeck hull design a "transitional deep- V" a shape that as seen from the bow appears as a mild cathedral architecture that recedes into a flattened V-shape at the transom. A shallow draft (13 inches) and the hull design help contribute to quick planing (5.5 seconds average time-to-plane), as well as swift and stable acceleration (7.5 sec- onds O-to-30 mph time). Hand-laid fiberglass construction is employed at the company's Elkhart, Indiana, plant using double layers of woven roving. This double layer of fiberglass is laid all the way up to the gunwales to provide rigidity and sturdiness to the hull. All the wood used in the boat is pressure treated, and foam flotation is added in many of the voids. Deck-to-hull watertight bonding is accomplished through more than simply popriveting the two parts together. Stainless steel screws on 8-inch centers and 3M 5200 polyurethane adhesive are used to attach the two overlapping edges to a wood backer, and then a vinyl rubrail is attached over the joint with stainless steel screws on 8-inch centers, offset 4 inches from the joint hardware. The finish we saw on the Hurricane FunDeck was a smooth, wave-free gelcoat that shined brightly in the sun. And the colors were vibrant. All Hurricane models include a five-year hull warranty, and a three-year vinyl warranty on the upholstery. SKATING THE WATERS The 201 proved to be an energetic and graceful boat. Our day at Lake Perris near Riverside, California, was smooth and calm for the most part, although about midmorning a small chop blew up. The hull rode well through it, not slapping the water as we cut through the waves or our own wake. During our early morning trials, the boat glided across the water's surface as if it were a professional ice skater performing her act for an appreciative audience. Although deck boats with relatively mild V-style hulls can be a rough and wet ride during big-chop conditions, we experienced no such behavior during our examination. The hull responded to directional input from the helm quickly and precisely. When sharp turns were performed at speeds of 25 to 30 mph, the boat heeled mildly and steered through the turns cleanly with no jerking, biting motions. There was a good deal of sliding though, as the hull skated sideways during hard turns. With the drive set at "three-quarters down," according to the dash gauge, the prop ventilated only moderately during the last half of a hard turn, but would soon "bite" again and bring the boat back up to speed after the steering was straightened out. We experienced nominal wander while at displacement speeds, but tiny course corrections kept the vessel tracking. And at speed, tracking was right on the money and the hull responded to steering with calm, cool and collected directional changes with no quirkiness. VERSATILE PACKAGE The FunDeck 201 features a beautifully sculpted fiberglass, self bailing cockpit and deck with a non-skid surface, and our test unit offered the optional ($203) snap-in carpeting, bow table ($122), bow sun lounge cushion ($190) and freshwater washdown (13-gallon capacity) at the transom ($271). Our test unit also included the Fish Package ($589) and Navigation Package ($257). The Navigation Package brings on board a compass and digital depthfinder. In addition to the Nav Package, our test unit had the optional hourmeter ($54) and tilt steering ($135) on the fully instrumented driver's console. Standard gauges included engine coolant temperature, oil pressure, trim, amps, tachometer, volts, fuel and speedometer. The boat was also equipped with a premium AM/FM/CD stereo ($203) with two speakers. The Fish Package gains you two bow fishing seats, a small recirculating livewell located between the two halves of the bow lounge, horizontal rod holders on the sides of the cavernous ski locker, which measures 75 inches long, 281/2 inches wide and 14 inches deep. The opening itself is 41 inches long by 17 inches wide. This version includes a trolling motor plug (12/24V) and an extra battery tray. The Fish Package makes the 201 a versatile craft that can be quickly converted into an angling platform when cruising or skiing is not the plan. The helm seat is adjustable front-to-back, so the boat's operator will find a position that is comfortably close to the tilt-steering wheel. The helm console can be best described as a pod. That pod features a hollow interior for stowage through a small door. The door is just large enough to fit a small portable marine head, and Godfrey sells one as an option to the 201, but you would have no privacy on board to use it. CARGO CAPACITY According to Godfrey, the Hurricane 201 will carry 10 people, but you would be a lot more comfortable if you limit it to eight passengers so you don't feel as if you're in a can of Vienna sausages. Six to eight is a more comfortable crowd; the huge L-shaped rear lounge can accept four passengers very easily and the front U-lounge can take another four when necessary. The seating is exceptionally comfortable, too; thick, high-density foam is used, and the padded upholstery can be removed for easy cleaning. A snack table and stand can be inserted into the floor at the front or rear lounge. Cup holders are set in close proximity to all seating spaces, within easy reach of lounge passengers. Storage compartments are built in underneath the cushions in the front and rear lounge, and stainless steel handrails span almost the entire length of both sides of the boat within the grasp of lounge occupants. Aft of the cushy, double-wide (32 inches across) helm seat is a cutout large enough to house a 25-quart Igloo cooler. The helm seat is upholstered in soft, leather like vinyl and offers a swivel, a slider, a tilt and adjustable arms, to help you maintain the most comfortable position at the helm. Plus, it has full lumbar support, a vented back and a built-in, adjustable headrest. The helm seat is adjustable front-to-back, so the boat's operator will find a position that is comfortably close to the tilt-steering wheel. The helm console can be best described as a pod. That pod features a hollow interior for stowage through a small door. The door is just large enough to fit a small portable marine head, and Godfrey sells one as an option to the 201, but you would have no privacy on board to use it. The helm console door also allows easy access to the back of the instruments for maintenance and repair, and for stowing articles such as PFDs. A small curved windscreen doesn't do much more than deflect some of the force of the oncoming air over the driver's head. A foot rest built in to the console assists in making seating comfortable, and a panel of individual surface-mounted circuit breakers recessed in a knee-level shelf eliminates the hassles of fuses. Directly opposite the helm station is a galley with a built-in sink and manual water pump. The pump draws from a 2 1/2-gallon water tank. Storage under the sink is accessed through a door in the front of the galley, and the set-up is great for clean ups after messy lunches. FORE AND AFT DECKS The foredeck of the 201 offers room for two anglers to play their hobby, and the non-skid deck makes it safe even when wet and slick. It's also the perfect place to hang out when the family is going for a swim, as a fold-down stainless steel boarding ladder is mounted to the star- board side of the foredeck platform. Two docking lights, two cleats and navigation lights are also perched on the sides. Aft of the cockpit, the engine cover flips up for easy access for tune-ups or topping off fluids. The rear swim pad is narrow and not as good a place to lounge when taking a dip; however, it is a good place to board afterwards, as a freshwater shower and fold-up boarding ladder occupy the star- board side of the rear swim deck. The hatch door to the battery compartment is on the port side of the swim pad. And a stainless ski tow is centered on the rear section of the engine cowling that's integrated into the rear swim pad. POWERED UP A 240 hp MerCruiser 5.0L EFI/Alpha 1 is the standard powerplant aboard the 201. The 250 hp Merc 5.7L is the only optional engine; the boat is rated for a maximum of 260 hp. The unit we tested was equipped with the 5.0L EFI with an aluminum Mercury three-blade, 19-inch-pitch propeller pro- viding the bite. We found the combination well suited to the 3300-pound craft. Our test data was gathered with two adults on board and a full 52-gallon tank of gas in the belly. Forward of the helm, on each side of the boat, you'll find gate type doors for easy boarding. They open inward, making them safer for use when boating with children. As previously stated, we recorded 0-to-30 mph times averaging 7.5 seconds, surprisingly good for a family-style deck boat. Cruising on plane at any speed between 25 and 40 mph was comfortable, and the boat felt steady and secure all the way up to its top speed of 47 mnh. which was reached with the 5.0L at wide-open throttle (4600 rpm). The sound level is quite comfortable at idle and cruise (3000 rpm). We measured 92 dBa at the helm, 102 dBa at the transom at 3000 rpm. Noise levels at idle were 77 dBa at the helm and 79 bBa at the transom. However, the noise level jumped considerably when we pushed the boat to full throttle. We recorded 103 dBa at the helm when the engine reached 4600 rpm. Without a full windshield, some of this noise was undoubtedly wind-related. The Godfrey Hurricane FunDeck OS 201 offers surprising performance and handling characteristics in a package that is roomy and comfortable. It's well built, agile and stylish. There, I said it. Yes, the 201 is nimble and sporty. While some deck boats may still be the minivans of the sportboat world, with the Hurricane FunDeck 201, Godfrey may very well be spinning a new image for these versatile craft.

Back to Boat Test Index|| Top of Page