INDEPENDENT BOAT TEST RESULTS

Hurricane SunDeck 217

Reprinted from "Boating Life Magazine" 2001 Buyers Guide

With a low-running profile and wraparound windshield, Godfrey Marine's Hurricane SD217 makes a pretty persuasive argument that a deck boat need not necessarily look like a deck boat.  Racing across a lake in central Florida at three-quater throttle through tight wind chop, the 28 inch shorter brother to the SD237 clipped along steadily, holding firmly to the water with no signs of wobbling or shake.  The clean, unobstructed view to both the horizon and instrumentation mentation with tilt control and smooth, hydraulic steering, was certainly a nice touch for helm ergonomics. The running surface on Godfrey's modified V-hull features  a broad, flat area or pad just forward of the transom, giving strong adage to wider is better by lending terrific stability for a boat drawing only 14 inches of water at rest. During full-throttle acceleration tests,  the 217 exhibited little bow rise, taking a mere 3.2 seconds to leap on plane. From a water-sports perspective, the responsive nature of Yamaha's 150-hp Saltwater Series outboard just kept turning out the hits with impressive, loaded hole-shot time trials from 0 to 30 mph in under eight seconds. To be expected from a company with over 40 years of exclusive deck and pontoon boatbuilding experience, standard trim for entertaining includes stern cockpit table, portable cooler, 10 oversize cup holders and 50-watt stereo/cassette system, as well as a color-coordinated canopy with stainless steel frame and boot. Even the little side galley is equipped with a 17-gallon freshwater system, sink, demonstrating good engineering foresight because it could be used while  the boat is running.  In the comfort zone 217's fore and aft cockpit areas furnish ample seating for 14, with a drop-in filler board and cushion to convert the front cockpit into a 78-inch by 66-inch playpen or, if you choose, a pedestal fishing chair in its place, along with a few rod holders, livewell and trolling motor from the list of options to create one very user- friendly fishing platform. In addition to an enclosed head that doubles as additional dry storage there is also a kneeboard storage box in the bow and large storage compartment for more wet stuff beneath the aft cockpit's L- shaped lounge seat. Unlike 217's I/O counterpart, outboard models have their swim platform divided by the placement of the motor. Access to and from the water is easy via a three-rung stainless steel boarding ladder that neatly folds out of the way just like the one in the bow.

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