The angler sits on the pedestal fishing seat on the bow tossing a spinner bait for bass, using the trolling motor to carefully position the center console boat. Deciding to change rigs, he heads to the built-in five-tray tackle box under the port gunwale and then opts to grab a different rod from one of the four in the horizontal rack under the starboard gunwale ' or maybe he should choose one of the three in the vertical rack at the stern. While he is deciding, his fishing buddy heads to the entertainment center, after putting his rod in one of the four in-gunwale holders, and washes up in the freshwater sink before going to the 25-quart Igloo cooler and grabbing a cold beverage. Since the bass fishing is slow and they have a livewell full of golden shiners, they decide to go for walleye in the middle of the lake. They don't have much time because he promised to take his kids skiing in the afternoon, and later he's taking his wife and four couples for a sunset cocktail cruise.

No, he isn't some rich guy with three different boats, he's a smart one with only one boat: the Hurricane Fun Deck GS 211. Some deck boat manufacturers profess to have fishing packages, but usually give owners the bare minimum, such as a pair of rod holders. The Hurricane 211's fishing option recognizes that anglers have lot of rods and change lures as often as diapers on a set of triplets. Counting storage for three fighting sticks in the in-sole compartment, there are a total of 14 dedi-cated spots, which has to be a deck boat record.

The center console configuration works well for a deck boat that's also a fishing boat. It makes it look 'fishy,' and also allows Hurricane to offer a large enough console on a sub-21-foot boat to accommodate a head compartment that doubles as a huge storage area. If this size console were placed on the side, it would look like you were smuggling refrigerators.

The roomy helm station is another benefit of the center console design, and the twin side-by-side adjustable bucket seats make it easy for the driver to converse with a passenger when running. There's a molded-in mounting platform for installing a large display fishfinder on top of the dash, and off to the right is a pair of sunken areas for throwing odds and ends such as cell phones, wallets and cameras. The foam padded five-spoke sport wheel is very comfortable and will be appreciated on cool, hand-numbing days. Sahara fog-free gauges are attractively rimmed with stainless-steel bezels and are set into a burlwood panel that is positioned above the wheel for easy reading. Large rotary accessory switches have indicator lights that clearly show the captain what is operating, and the throttle is ergonomically placed and can be operated comfortably whether the driver is standing or sitting. A large, curved windshield circled by a grab rail does a good job of protecting the crew, and as an added bonus can be easily removed for ventilation on muggy summer days.

Powering the GS 211 is Yamaha's new F200 4-stroke outboard, and it proves to be an ideal match for many reasons. Not only do owners get reliable 4-stroke power that is backed with a three-year warranty ' unlike two years for most 2-strokes ' but the Yamaha has the power to comfortably pull skiers of all sizes. The F200 pushes the 3,000-pound Hurricane to 30 mph in just a little more than six seconds and pulls strong throughout the entire powerband. Advancing the industry's best-feeling control lever to the max, the Hurricane GS 211 quickly accelerates to a top speed of 44.2 mph.

While many concentrate on V6's high-end performance, slow speed characteristics are often overlooked, and let's face it ' deck boats spend a lot of time in entertainment mode. As pontoon boat owners have known for years, 4-stroke engines are the preferred power for ambling along. Not only are there no fumes to bother passengers ' especially when cruising downwind ' but 4-strokes also get great mileage, and are as quiet as a small rodent. From the helm, the F200 measures a barely audible 56 decibels at idle, and at a cruise speed of 30 mph, it registers only 81 decibels on the decibel meter.

Putting the GS 211 on plane involves minimal bowrise, and once trimmed up for running, the boat skims nicely over some nasty chop. The bow rides high enough to minimize concern over stuffing it in the larger waves, and with a moderate 18-degree deadrise, exhibits a decent ride in the slop. Like most well-designed deck boats, the GS 211 is easy to drive. There are no handling quirks, and the Hurricane can be thrown into turns with gusto, with ventilation only occurring in tight turns with the trim up. The GS is as controllable at top speed as it is at its econo-cruise velocity.

The GS 211 shifts from fishing boat to entertainment platform flawlessly. The entire bow is one big U-lounge with the best seats being the forward-facing, put-your-feet-up recliners that have angled backrests for comfort. The rest of the bow riders have a back bolster and plenty of legroom, even with a full house. Four cupholders are placed up front, and to make sure a beverage is always readily available, there is a small built-in cooler that doubles as a step-up to the front deck. In the bow platform, those looking to disembark on the shallow end have a telescoping stainless-steel ladder that stows neatly under a hatch when not in use, and its placement off to the side means it won't interfere with the anchor line. Under the center hatch is the anchor locker, which features twin rode cutouts and is close to the bow cleat that is curiously placed sideways. Diamond non-skid means that those standing up front won't be swimming until they choose to do so.

Passengers in the stern lounge have a high-backed bolster of thickly padded foam, while the removable seat bottoms are made with a special flow-through foam that allows water to pass through quickly and eliminates that nasty squish when sitting down after a heavy rain. The upholstery is neatly stitched and made from heavy-duty GX48 expanded vinyl so it'll look good for years.

Priced at $38,060 with the Yamaha F200 and the fishing package, the GS 211 is a good deal for those who like to fish and play. The center console design and trailerable 8-foot-6-inch beam make for a cockpit that's easy to move around in, yet not lacking in creature comforts. The GS 211 comes standard with features such as a color-coordinated canopy, 17-gallon freshwater system, two cockpit sinks and courtesy lights. Quality touches include chrome-plated bronze through-hull fittings and one-inch 316 stainless-steel low-profile grab rails. When equipped with the $589 fishing option, the GS 211 is a serious fishing deck boat. If you've got more money than you know what to do with, get three specialty boats and a house on the lake. But if you are smart and work for a living, get three boats for the price of one instead.