Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

[NelsonQ]

Well after waiting 3 months since I ordered my new boat, it finally arrived.

My Hurricane SS 188 is an upgrade from my previous Hurricane deck boat (GS 170). Obviously I suffered from twofoot-itis as this boat is an additional 25" longer than the first.

As its the first new boat I've purchased, I added a few upgrades over and above the standard offering including carpeting, Mercury SmartMonitor, hydraulic steering, and upgraded the 115HP 4 stroke to a Mercury Optimax DFI 175HP.

A bit of the background. The boat was ordered from the factory, and was delayed by 3 weeks. Unfortunate with the early spring, but worth wait. Lots of small issues and problems, none that weren't overcome.

But a few good news pieces. One the trailer didn't fit. So the dealer had to upgrade me to a higher end trailer with chrome 15" wheels, etc. Much nicer looking trailer than the original and at no cost.

Secondly, Mercury shipped a 175 HP Opti, labelled as a 115HP, and with a short shaft instead of the long shaft.

The dealer resolved this by traveling easily 7+ hours to pick up a replacement and get it mounted for my pickup on Sat. The even better news is, there were no 175HP available so I got bumped to a 200HP at no additional cost.(Max HP rating for this boat)

Now my Hurricane is a Hurry-Cane.....Amazing boat, had a great time with it for the weekend and looking forward to get it broken in to see what the specs will be but this boat has LOTS of power.

Here's a few pics...more to follow when I find my cable to upload the pics from the camera.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

Few more pics.....

 

[NCLakeboater]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

Nelson it looks great! I hope to have my new Hurricane in a few weeks.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

Nice rig Nelson...you sure got hooked up

That dealership will be getting business from people you talk to I'd imagine. Good customer service.

Have fun with that thing, and let us know how she does with that 200 once it's broken in.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

Nice rig Nelson...you sure got hooked up

That dealership will be getting business from people you talk to I'd imagine. Good customer service.

Have fun with that thing, and let us know how she does with that 200 once it's broken in.

Thanks Huron.....

You're right on the customer service. I've talked to a few people already around the marina and the docks and have recommended them.

Gotta give them credit for doing this right. In fact, the guy who runs the place, it was his mother who actually drove all those hours the day before delivery to pick up my engine.

It's Len's Cove Marina in Portland, ON.

Hoping to have it broken in by end of the weekend (already booked 5 of the 10 break in hours )

I'll post some #s once she's all worked in.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

Nelson it looks great! I hope to have my new Hurricane in a few weeks.

NC, make sure you open a new thread in the Hurricane section. Looking forward to seeing your new Hurricane too.

Just an amazing boat when evaluating quality and value

In fact, one person commented that they though it was a much higher end boat and thought I'd paid $20K more than I did... A true compliment in the quality vs. price.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

Just a quick followup.... I configured my speedo on the SmartMonitor to calibrate with my GPS.

While I've yet to verify the #s on GPS, its getting 51-52MPH @ around 5700RPMs on the 19P SS Mercury Hive Five prop....

 

[haley]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

NelsonQ,

Great new boat. You mentioned you used to have a 170. Can you share with me a little bit about that boat? I am coming over from sail and the 2004 170 with a 90HP OB looks like a nice place to start.

BTW, part of my boating is on Calabogie Lake - about 100km West of Ottawa!

John H.

 

[ShadowB]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

NelsonQ,

Nice boat! Great looking too! I'm sure you'll enjoy it for years to come.

2008 FDGS 202
4.3L 190 HP

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

She's a beaut! Our friends are on their 2nd Hurricane and we've spent many hours enjoying it as much as they have. A great deck boat!

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

John....

Yes I had a GS170 (in fact its still in my avatar) pic.... I'd be glad to share any information you'd like to know about it. I had it for 2 years and sold it to a friend (only a few slips away and in fact of the five families that hang out together, 4 of us have Hurricanes). It was running a Johnson 115HP on the back. On flat water with just me and my preteen daughter we had that boat running low to mid 40s.

What I can tell you about that boat is its rated for a max 135HP but I've known a few others to run 150HP on them. With the 115HP, I've had 4-5 folks in the boat and several others in a large 2 person tube (when I say large, we're talking 10 ft long, by 7.5ft wide)

Has a very sporty feel to it with a deep V hull. With a 90, I suspect it'll plow a bit more so getting on plane will be a little slower, but on plane, she'll steer smooth (and quick) so a great all around boat.

We simply upgraded as we are a family of 3 but regularly had another couple with 2 kids with us and from time to time, a few dogs so we needed more space.

Fantastic boat.....and a great intro into the power/deck boat market.

BTW.... I'm up on White Lake so I pretty close to Calabogie too

 

[haley]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

Nelson,

Thanks for the info.

Seller is saying the 90 HP Johnson is a 4 cylinder, and will provide a decent amount of torque at low end - more than 3 cyl 90's. Although top seed will suffer some. Of course, he is the seller.

White Lake? Pass by the sign every year.

One of the things I want to do if I get up there with a power boat is explore the other lakes - White, Black Donald, Centennial, Constant, etc. Would not mind dipping it into the St. Lawrence (1000 Islands) or Rideau system on the way up too (we live in Rochester NY). I am thinking some of the ones close to Calabogie may not get as choppy. Some are smaller or have a lot of branches / bays.

Found a second 170 for sale in same area as the first. Another 90hp, this one a Yamaha. But it has the tow pylon, bimini & carpet that the first is lacking...

John

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

John

White Lake is a decent size and fairly well protected so the chop isn't too bad. Very few days I'd avoid going out in my 170.

On the 4 cyl, my 115HP Johnson was a 4 cylinder too. Again it had plenty of torque and top end speed. I only caution as watersports have different meaning. Pulling a 3 person tube is quite a bit different than water skiing. If you're planning more on the skiing, the 90 will serve the purpose. A loaded boat and a 3 person tube, too much. however, a single or smaller 2 person may be more to plane, but once going, will serve that function.

The key to powering a boat is stick around 70% of rated minimum and remember the golden rule. There is no such thing as too much horsepower. My SS188 came from the dealer last year. Of the 10 they sold, all were at 115HP except one. Mine with 200HP. The people using it for watersports felt it didn't suit it. I rarely use half the throttle, so I do the same things at lower RPM and better on fuel.

Something to consider. Either way, you'll love that boat. Only you will truly know how you're going to use it.

 

[live4h2o]

Re: Picked up my new SS 188 Hurricane Deck boat this weekend

Very nice looking boat. Need some help with pricing. From Minnesota USA going to the dealer this weekend to talk about buying. Can anyone help with good price for 2011 188 powered by 200hp Mercury motor. What is price someone has recently paid for a new 188 with 200hp. Any help is great!