Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

lakesidedreamer · Jun 6, 2004

Does anyone out there have a opinion about either of these boats? Good or bad? What about the Hurricane Fundeck GS 202 model? We looked at this boat, year model 2004, and was wondering if anyone else has had good or bad luck with this brand. Also, what about the Starcraft Aurora 2009? Any and all information would be appreciated. Thanks!

KCook · Jun 6, 2004

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

Hurricane sells a lot more deckboats than Starcraft. However Starcraft owners seem just as happy. Here are some other threads with owners - Starcraft vs. Hurricane Trailer Boats Boards » ... » Deck boat BoatUS Club House Messageboards : ... : Hurrican Deckboat Motor Question? Kelly Cook

lakesidedreamer · Jun 6, 2004

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

Thanks for your post Kelly. The reason I asked about the Hurricane is because we are looking at their Fundeck 202. And we are probably at the point where we will be taking a BIG, HUGE hit and trade in our 2004 Starcraft Aurora (only 20 hrs on boat)after NUMEROUS problems with the service dept where we purchased. What we are so afraid of, is getting into the same boat (no pun intended) as we are now. This brand new boat has been in the shop more than in our dock. From one of the posts you listed, it mentioned that Starcraft was a "low-end" deck boat. So maybe that's where all our problems have stemmed from. Where in the list of makers of deck boats would Hurricane be? If Starcraft is on the low end, who would be the top (most reliable, durable) deck boat (fish and ski packages). Thanks for the input!!

rickdb1boat · Jun 6, 2004

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

lakesidedreamer Hurricane Deck Boats are well made boats.Good fit and finish. I don't know where they would rate in comparison to the very best deckboats or the Starcraft, but they are good quality boats for there purpose and Godfrey Marine stands behind them well, as they do all there boats. Of course, if you have the bucks, a Crownline or similar is obviously going to be a better boat. Just depends on your needs. They are not ocean going boats and do not particularly like real rough water due to the somewhat flat bottom. But they will handle a 2-3 foot chop fine. The Fundeck is a well laid out, well built rig and I would not hesitate in buying one, especially since in the past I have owned Godfrey boats and can vouch for the quality and service... That's the best I can tell you, other than I've never heard anyone say they were dissapointed after they bought a Deckboat from Godfrey, with the proper power, of course. Get all you can...

KCook · Jun 6, 2004

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

NUMEROUS problems with the service dept where we purchased

This would suggest the problems have been more with the dealer than Starcraft? Very unfortunate. But you can get a bad dealer with any brand, including Hurricane. So it is possible to end up in the same boat. I note the Hurricane 202 is an outboard model. Most 20' OB deckboats are in the "value" category. Frankly, not a lot of difference between brands. The only premium brand for OB deckboats that I know of is Bennington . Of course premium means you will pay a bigger price. There are the deckboats by well known builders such as Rick mentioned. But those will all be I/O, not OB. And generally bigger, plusher, and more expensive than your Hurricane or Starcraft. If you do decide to move up to these then I would suggest your short list include Chaparral, Crownline, Four Winns, Monterey, and Regal. Lots of brands at that point, everybody has different favorites. But vee haf no way of knowing which of your local dealers is best. And that is really more important than the boat brand. Kelly

lakesidedreamer · Jun 7, 2004

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

Kelly, The more I think about it, I think you are right about the dealer. Maybe our problems are not specific to the brand but due to the service. Everything that has been worked on has been covered under the warranty. But it sure is strange that everytime we have taken the boat in to have something fixed, we get it back and two other things are broke. Something interesting I found out today, the dealer where we got the Starcraft is not listed as a dealer on their website. I tried to find a way to reach Starcraft themselves, but I was routed back to the nearest dealer. Which is now over 100 miles away, not in the same town. That brings me to my next question, do you know anything about Travis Boating? They are located in a number of states in the south east part of the nation. And they are a publicly traded company - (NasdaqSC:TRVS) I'm not sure what part of the nation you are in, and may have never heard of this company or maybe someone else out there has. It makes me wonder if Travis is no longer a dealer for Starcraft. I know in my area, they had the Hurricane and Cobalt dealership but lost those a couple of years ago. I'm going to keep trying to get in touch with Starcraft and find out if there is someone else locally that can do warranty work, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen. Oh well, it doesn't hurt to try I guess. I appreciate your responses and allowing me to vent a little. Our first experiences as a boat owner has not been pleasant. Thanks again!

KCook · Jun 7, 2004

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

Oh, Travis is well known alright. Many outlets. Some of which were really notorious. I have heard that in some states they are not so bad. To further confuse things there may be two different operations both using the "Travis" name. But I would be cautious in doing business with any Travis operation. Kelly

TPD211 · Jun 8, 2004

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

Lakesidedreamer, I have a Lowe deckboat and really like it. It is aluminum construction, deck, hull, with very little plywood. I specifically wanted a aluminum hull vs fiberglass. Check out www.lowe.com and see if they are for you. Mine is a 1993, 22' model. DECKBOAT DECKBOAT DECKBOAT DECKBOAT I really like the new 19 foot models, LOWE especially the one with the fishing platform on the front. There are a few in the lakes in my area, the owners really like them. There are tons of Hurricanes also. Good luck in your search...

lakesidedreamer · Jun 8, 2004

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

Triggerr, Thanks for your reply. I'll go check out the Lowe. Also, I wanted to clarify something that I just found out but posted before. Starcraft makes Stardeck (which is what I have) for Travis Boating. So that is why Starcraft doesn't have the local Travis shop listed on their website. And unfortunately for me, the only authorized service dept for my boat is Travis. And this is the shop that we know when we take it in for one thing to be fixed, once we get it back there will be other new problems. This has been going on for a long time. And our frustrations have shown. I think the words.."Your service dept s*ucks" was stated. Probably not the best choice of words. But time and time again, we've pulled our boat out of the water and taken it to them just to get it back and find other problems. The latest is the speedometer isn't working. Again, nothing to serious but it's the fact that that was working when we took it in. And now it's not. The repairs that were being made were trim gauge and livewell pump (leaking water into ski locker). Trim gauge seems to be working now. Livewell pump still has a slight leak but not like the spraying full blast as before. Oh well. Another summer season spent at the service dept! ha Thanks!

roger8486 · Dec 3, 2009

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

I have recently shopped for and compared both the starcraft and hurricane deck boats. Hurricane beat the starcraft significantly, but it costs a little more. However, their resale is higher.
I started out by looking at the wiring harness behind the helm. The starcraft is a mess of jumbled wires, vs the hurricanes harness compares with the best. Look for neat, bundled and tied wires. This tells you how well the rest of the boat was put together. Then check out the upholstery and you will see inferior vinyl and stitching. Look at the windshield and you will see how it is attached to the hull. Look to see how screws are either bolted with nuts thru the hull vs wood type screws that do not hold well over time. I could go on but you get my point.

pmillar · Dec 4, 2009

Re: Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

Good input - 5 years after the original post/discussion though

Starcraft Aurora or Hurricane Deck boats

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