Hurricane

SunDeck Sport 218

First Impression

The SunDeck Sport 218 continues to be one of the most popular boats on the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida – and it’s easy to see why the Hurricane brand has dominated boat sales in this state for the last 20 plus years. Price-friendly models such as this one will only add to its popularity.

Highlights

New vinyl colors for the entire Hurricane lineup increase the total to eight choices, including three cool touch options for model year 2025. The furniture is as inviting as it is comfortable and the red accent color inside ties in perfectly with the vibrant Sunburst hull. The optional gray with black lines snap-in Marine Mat flooring throughout the boat matches up beautifully with the vinyl furniture while providing a high-end vibe.

We also love the dual helm consoles with identical captain’s chairs and flip-up bolsters. On the first mate side there is a glove box as well as full access to the Clarion sound system that includes four 6.5-inch speakers with RGB capability.

For the captain, the dash includes two multi-function analog gauges, two rows of rocker switches, and USB and 12-volt ports. As is, there is plenty of room remaining on the console to add a touchscreen if desired.

Moving towards the stern, there is a U-shaped seating area just behind the dual helm chairs that includes a designated area for a cooler below the rear bench. We’re not a fan of having to step on your furniture to access the swim deck so the rotating cushion that converts into a step is a nice added touch. Out on the swim deck is a removable ski/tow pylon, plus one of two boarding ladders (with the other being in the bow), and both are telescoping and store cleanly into their own compartments. Other key features include stainless steel grab rails and Bimini, along with a 21-inch deep in-floor ski locker.

Why we love this boat…The dual helm consoles and the red accent color on the vinyl seats, which tie in beautifully with the exterior gel coat, create a sporty vibe for a boat built to be noticed.

Inspection

The full fiberglass stringers are the backbone of this Hurricane deck boat, and the integrated system works to control the flex in the hull and provide exceptional support. The modified V-hull has a notched transom and the sunburst red fiberglass gel coat work is beautifully executed. Inside the boat as you step down there is over 14 feet of floor space inside with the large bow and stern platforms accounting for the rest of the 21-foot, 5-inch overall length.

Performance

After a zero-to-20 mph time of less than 5 seconds we easily reached the 40 mph mark at full throttle with the Yamaha 200hp outboard on the back. She dives into the sharp turns as expected and with the cable steering the boat was responsive and sporty. However, to get the most out of this pairing we’d recommend upgrading to electric steering.

Just being picky…There’s minimal room in the bow lounges to fully stretch out, so despite the quality construction justifying the 14-person capacity, you probably don’t have enough room to comfortably seat that many passengers.

Final Thoughts

This Hurricane has a true sporty vibe to it and we love how the red exterior color stands out in a sea of sameness at the dock and especially out on the water. We see tremendous added value with this SunDeck Sport 218 that as tested has a nice mix of standard features and key options while still coming in at a budget-friendly price point. Quality, well-built fiberglass deck boats like this one from Hurricane are crucial for the growth of our industry.