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Testing the Hurricane SunDeck 235
By Brady L. Kay
Aerial angle photo view of a man and a woman sitting next to each other inside the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle as both of them are smiling in beach attire and sunglasses as the man in the hat is driving
PDB 370 Tested Badge
Get Your Own
Testing the Hurricane SunDeck 235
By Brady L. Kay
Close-up view of the Yamaha F250 XB outboard motor engine from the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle
It’s easy to see why attendees from the early boat shows have been seeking out this SunDeck from Hurricane. Months ahead of the shows our staff got a chance to take the SD 235 out on the water, so we saw the early buzz and excitement coming. Offering boaters a thrilling ride with a comfortable yet powerful design, the SunDeck 235 is equipped with the latest features and accessories for the ultimate on-the-water fun.
EYE-CATCHING
As attractive as this model looks on the boat show floor, it absolutely pops on the water. The version we tested included a deep blue exterior color with stainless steel hardware used throughout, including the Bimini frame. It is truly eye-catching. Clearly going for a sporty vibe, the full wrap-around windshield completes the look. The high profile windshield goes way beyond just looks though. It offers excellent protection from the elements and with the mid-ship fold out divider below, you’re able to extend your seasons and get out on the water earlier and stay out a little longer.
Aerial angle photo view of a man, woman, a younger girl, and younger boy sitting nearby each other inside the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle as all of them are smiling in beach attire and sunglasses as the man in the hat is driving
Aerial interior photo view of a lounge couches area of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle
Aerial interior photo view of a lounge couches area of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle with water in the background behind the pontoon
Aerial interior photo view of the driver's side area of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle
Behind the tall windshield is the helm with the dash console centered on a 7-inch Garmin touchscreen with multi function analog gauges on each side. The controls for the upgraded Fusion stereo, 12-volt port, USB plugs, as well as a nice assortment of rocker switches are also located here. There is even a wireless phone charger below for the captain—nice. Directly across from the helm is a head compartment, complete with a pump out toilet to help make your day out the water that much more enjoyable.
VERSATILITY SEATING
Once you step down into the boat, there is over 14 feet of floor space inside the boat and the engineers at Hurricane made the most out of every square inch. This especially includes the seating. The backrests for both the captain and the first-mate pivot, which converts these helm chairs into rear-facing loungers—what a great way to maximize the space. Besides the seating in the bow, there is an L-shaped bench in the stern, which means there are enough comfortable seats to match the 12-person capacity rating.
Aerial angle photo view of a man in the driver's seat of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle driving the pontoon out in the water during the day
Aerial rear photo view of a man in the driver's seat of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle driving the pontoon out in the water during the day
Aerial interior angle photo view of the driver's side and storage space area nearby of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle
Aerial interior angle photo view of a storage space area with a door flap open in the air of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle
Close-up interior angle photo view of a storage space area with a door flap open in the air with plenty of room inside the storage space of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle
Aerial interior angle photo view of the driver's seat area plus a lounge couch behind the driver's seat of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle
Aerial angle side photo view of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle as a man is seen driving the pontoon out in the water
Aerial angle side photo view of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle as a woman, man, a younger boy, and younger girl are all seen smiling and laughing in their beach attire as they all talk amongst each other on a beautiful evening day
Aerial angle photo view of the Hurricane SunDeck 235 pontoon motorboat vehicle as a man in sunglasses is seen driving the pontoon out in the water
Other features worth noting include the Marine Mat snap-in flooring that makes cleanup a breeze, a hidden ski/tow pylon that retracts when not needed, as well as telescoping ladders on each end of the boat that each have their own compartment.
WHAT A THRILL
Built on the proven Hurricane design, the SunDeck 235 features a quick-planing hull with a zero-to-20 mph time of just 4 seconds. The boat we tested was powered by the Yamaha F250XB, which is a great pairing for this hull. We were able to reach a top speed of 50 mph at full throttle, but this SunDeck is more than just a go-fast boat.

The SeaStar hydraulic steering from Dometic had us making some intense turns with ease as she banked beautifully with full control and overall provided a fun and exhilarating ride.

“Everyone who has been on a Hurricane deck boat knows that our boats are high quality and provide the best possible ride,” said Wally Ross, Hurricane’s director of product management and marketing. “We are always focused on improving the experience for owners and passengers alike and that comes to life in the enhancements made for this model year.”

HOW TO GET ONE
When you’re hitting the early boat shows, keep an eye out for this Hurricane. If you’re in the market for a fiberglass deck boat that comes in at a solid price point it should be on your list. As tested you’re looking at $86,400 with the Yamaha F250XB outboard. The starting base price of just the boat is around $48K. This gives you high flexibility as you decide which options you would consider to be must-have and maybe some you could live without. We enjoyed the complete package as tested and see substantial added value so we would recommend the version we ran that includes a solid mix of options with a long list of standard features.
Specifications
  • LOA:23’ 4”
  • BEAM:8’ 6”
  • HULL DESIGN:Trihedral Fiberglass
  • Dry Weight:3,255 lbs.
  • Fuel Capacity:52 gals.
  • Engine:Yamaha F250XB
  • Cylinder Type:V6
  • Displacement/HP:4.2L/250hp
  • Lower Unit Gear Ratio:1.75:1
  • Propeller:15.5 X 17 SLS II SS
  • Top Speed:50.3 mph
  • 0 to 20 mph:4.0 Seconds
Options
Full Spectrum RGB Pkg, SS Pkg. w/Pull-Up Cleats & Fuel Cap, Pump Out Toilet, Snapless/Towable Boat Cover, Dual Battery Switch, Center Walk-Thru Door, Telescoping Ski/Tow, Bolster On Capt. Seat, Garmin 7” MFD, GPS Gauges, SeaStar Power Assist Steering w/Tilt Wheel, Upgraded Steering Wheel, Upgraded Stereo Package (Fusion RA670+4 Premium Speakers) and Marine Mat (Head Unit, Cockpit).
Notable Standards
Drilled Transom, Storage Tubs, SS Bimini Frame w/Canopy & Boot Canvas, Self-Bailing, Anchor Locker, Bilge Pump, Telescoping Bow & Stern Ladders, White Rubrail w/SS Insert, Silver Framed Windshield, Enclosed Head and SS Cupholders.
For More Information
Fusion Marine Audio
www.garmin.com
Hurricane Boats
www.hurricaneboats.com