2001 Hurricane Fundeck 170 GS - Buying advice

[jdlough]

Anybody know anything about these little outboard-powered deckboats?

This one has 55 hours on the boat and 2002 75HP Mercury ELPTO outboard. CD, ski pole, bimini, DF, snap-in carpets, trailer, other extras. Seats 7. Garage kept.

They are asking $7500.

Seems a bit underpowered for a skiier, but the boat weighs only about 1300lbs.

I think I read somewhere that they are self-bailing. Anybody confirm this?

I'm going to call to see it. What do you think? What would you offer?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 2001 Hurricane Fundeck 170 GS - Buying advice

seems under powered. rule of thumb.. take the rated hp, on data plate of boat, 70% of that is the absolute minimum power, for that boat to perform reasonably.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: 2001 Hurricane Fundeck 170 GS - Buying advice

I have the 2002 Fundeck 170 GS with a 115HP Johnson on it. I can tell you that the 75HP is underpowered for that boat. Reasonable to move that boat or to consider a tuber is 90+. To get a skiier up (I don't waterski so can't say for sure) but you'd never get out of the hole quick enough to ski.

It's an older review but here is one on the 170 GS with a Yamaha 75HP. I think you'll get the information you're looking for here.

Price wise, I think it's in the range with the year and size motor compared to others I looked at assuming it's in very good condition and mechanically sound.

Love the boat, but I don't think I'd be happy running a 75HP on it as I usually have 2-5 in the boat with 1-2 in the tube at any given time

http://www.godfreymarine.com/test/test_170_tb_1.htm

Lastly they are not self bailing but prior to 2007 or 2008 these boats came equipped with an auto bilge pump. So it'll pump its bilge out but doesn't self bail (sorry, I'm from the East Coast and when I think of self bail, I'm thinking the bail openings on the deck of a fishing boat or even the drainage holes on a white water raft) so I just wanted to clarify

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: 2001 Hurricane Fundeck 170 GS - Buying advice

seems under powered. rule of thumb.. take the rated hp, on data plate of boat, 70% of that is the absolute minimum power, for that boat to perform reasonably.

Sorry meant to add the the plate rating is 135HP so following TD's comment, that would be a minimum of 95HP which is why the reviews talk about the 90HP but I'd still consider a little larger. Better to oversize and not run at WOT to get it do what you want

 

[jdlough]

Re: 2001 Hurricane Fundeck 170 GS - Buying advice

Oh well, I thought so...

Thanks once again for the advice. That review makes it sound like it's exactly what I'm looking for, if only it had a bigger motor.

Maybe I'll check around the local marinas/boat dealers to see about the cost of a trade/switch for a not-too-used 115HP or 135HP.

BTW, the Godfrey/Hurricane site says they now have a self bailing deck.

http://www.hurricaneboats.com/hurricaneFDGS172ob.html

Thanks again, and the search continues...
Jim

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: 2001 Hurricane Fundeck 170 GS - Buying advice

JD,

A little bit about the "self bailing" terminology.

First off, prior to 2007, the 170 series boats did not have a self bailing anything, any water coming into the boat went to the bilge (the bigger hurricanes have had self bailing decks for a lot longer)

Second, a self bailing deck is not the same as a self bailing hull. On a self bailing deck, the deck is above the waterline and there are scuppers that will direct the water overboard rather than into the bilge. Water can still get into the bilge through (especially through the anchor and ski lockers), and this water needs to be pumped out. Self bailing hulls are pretty much unsinkable, they don't have a bilge and will float even with the plug out (most will fill a little at rest but will empty out when on plane). AFAIK no hurricanes have a self bailing hull.

 

[jdlough]

Re: 2001 Hurricane Fundeck 170 GS - Buying advice

Thanks for the self bailing clarification.

I did not know that. I was thinking that if a self bailing deck boat was left at dock in the rain with a dead battery, it could not sink. If I understand it, it just wouldn't sink as quickly, but would eventually sink when enough water seeped into the bilge via any storage compartment or other hatch leaks.

I was wondering why a boat with a self bailing deck would need a bilge pump.

This explains it.

Thanks,
Jim