First Impression
Hybrids aren’t a new concept, but it sure is impressive when a pontoon-like top combines with a deck boat hull for a fast and comfortable ride. Hurricane has been offering its “best of both worlds” FunDeck line for decades and they keep growing in popularity as the manufacturer continues to find ways to make them even better.

Highlights
SBC in the model name stands for “split back co-captain chair,” which refers to the wraparound aft pit seating just behind the dual helm chairs. Rated for up to 12 total passengers, there is clearly a comfortable seat for everyone on board this beauty, and with cupholders recessed into the seatbacks and in other locations, there’s also ample room for their beverages too. In fact, after a closer inspection, you could have up to two cupholders per passenger as we counted 20 permanent places to stow your drink!

Having a co-pilot chair that is identical to the one for the captain is a nice added touch, and the fiberglass helmstand – with an optional windscreen – is well organized with an optional Simrad touchscreen in the center of the dash with analog multi-function gauges on each side. Below the screen on the dash are two rows of push-button switches with controls to the upgraded premium Fusion stereo on the opposite side of the three-spoke tilt steering wheel.

On some deck boats the seating can be a little shallow, but that’s not the case with this FunDeck. The pontoon-like furniture is extremely comfortable with an upgraded Oasis Cognac color complemented with carbon/charcoal accents. With the bright white fiberglass floor, the optional snap-in carpet is recommended to help soften the look of the interior because as is, the darker color vinyl presents quite the contrast.

There are four chaise lounges, two in the bow and two in the stern, that allow you to stretch out, and other key features include a ski/tow bar in the stern, a 35-inch deep in-floor ski locker and an area to add a pop-up changing room if desired. If we’re being picky, it would be nice if the in-floor storage locker had some type of an assisted hinge so it could stay propped open instead of having to lay the lid flat on the deck to access the compartment. At nearly 10 feet long inside, it’s going to be a popular place to stow all your water toys.

Inspection
A lot of thought went into this fiberglass cathedral hull that includes a designated anchor/telescoping ladder compartment in the bow, a second ladder compartment in the stern and cleats that are recessed into the deck to reduce the tripping hazard. The gel coat work is well-done and consistent and up top the rail height varies from nearly 27 inches tall to over 30 inches for a safe family-friendly design.

Performance
Powered by a Yamaha 250hp outboard, she banks beautifully in the sharp turns like you’d expect a V-hull to do. Quick to plane and capable of speeds in the mid 40s, this Hurricane is a lot of fun to drive. She handles well and it feels effortless to maneuver around at any speed.

Final Thoughts
Hurricane has truly raised the bar for hybrids with its latest offering. The feature-packed pontoon with the stability of a traditional deck boat provides performance characteristics not found on traditional boats.

NOTABLE STANDARDS
Self-bailing Deck, Fiberglass Helm w/Color-matched Fiberglass Door, Fiberglass Floor Hatch w/ Integrated Water Management, Bow Anchor Storage w/ Fiberglass Lid, Built-in Deck Cleats, Port and Starboard Bow Loungers w/ Storage, Captain and Co-Captain Chairs w/ Swivel, Slider and Folding Armrests, Aft Wrap-around Pit Seating w/ Storage, Built-in Cupholders and Speakers, Four-speaker Fusion Audio, Hydraulic SeaStar Steering w/ Tilt Wheel, Telescoping SS Stern Ladder w/ Lid, Instrument Panel w/ Fog Resistant, Multi-function Gauges, Automatic Bilge Pump.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Convenience Package (LED Docking Lights, SS Rubrail, SS Cupholders), Preferred Option Group (Boat Cover, Dual Battery Switch, Changing Room w/ Curtain, Stern Washdown) 25 Qt Cooler, Double Bimini w/ Protective Boot, Black Rub Rail w/ SS Insert, Bow Boarding Ladder, Pitch Black Graphics, Black Rail Bottom, Rail Frame Anodized, Black Rail Skin w/ Charcoal Insert, Deluxe Ski/Tow Cage, Snap-in Panama Neutral Mat, Oasis Cognac w/ Carbon Accents Furniture, Captain and Co-captain Chair Upgrade (Deluxe swivel, slider, reclining w/ fold-down arms). Simrad GO7 XSE Touchscreen Fishfinder/Chartplotter (External Transducer), Hydraulic SeaStar Steering w/ Tilt Wheel, Windscreen, Fusion RGB Plus w/ RGB Accent Interior Lighting and Aft-facing Transom Speakers.