It's no secret that boat companies are struggling to sell boats these days, but one thing is still true: If you have a great new product that's in tune with the times and priced right, you are going to do well. South Florida Hurricane dealers found this to be true during the latest Miami Boat Show, where they sold nine SunDeck Sport 188 deckboats.
Unique Factor
This newest, smallest and least expensive member of the Hurricane family has obviously struck a chord with buyers and, of course, one of its biggest selling points is the $17,995 price tag. But a low sticker price by itself will only grab a buyer's attention for the same time span as a guy channel surfing and pausing on the Oxygen Channel. You have to be able to back it up with substance.
So why are buyers drawn to this model like a moth to a flame? First, it's a Hurricane and most people are aware this is one of the top builders of deckboats, so quality isn't going to be an issue. One of the features that make it more affordable than the SunDeck 1900 is the lack of a windshield. Ironically, this could be a reason for its success because without a windscreen that divides the front from the cockpit, it makes it a more social environment. I think when people board it at a show or showroom they can envision up to nine of their friends all sitting around chatting. Its wide-open layout also has the effect of making it look bigger than its 18-foot, 10-inch length.
Performance
We tested the boat with the nationally advertised package that includes Yamaha's F115 four-stroke and it performed well. Since it's an EFI, it started quickly despite temperatures in the high 30s, giving the phrase "cold start" a new meaning (for those of us from Florida anyway). We had a good holeshot with a time to plane of 3.4 seconds with minimal bowrise. One of the reasons Hurricanes are especially popular in coastal areas is that most models are outboard-powered and handle shallow water better than sterndrives.
We reached 30 mph in 9.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 39.3 mph, which felt pretty fast thanks to the cool weather and no windshield. If you are into speed, the Hurricane 188 is rated to handle up to 200 hp, although a Yamaha F150 would be a great match for this boat and is available at an upcharge of a little less than $4,000. The larger sister model of this boat, the SunDeck 201, ran 44 mph with the F150, and is several hundred pounds heavier, so top speeds around 46 to 47 mph should be attainable.
Dillon Donnelly
Handling
Another advantage to the F150 is at that horsepower the Hurricane comes standard with hydraulic steering. Ours had cable steering that was pretty stiff, although prop torque wasn't a problem when we trimmed it up a little at cruise speed. The SunDeck 188 corners beautifully, and we were able to smartly whip it into very tight turns without blowing out.
We had a nasty little chop going on Lake Wawasee in Northern Indiana; not huge but vertical enough to be uncomfortable on ill-designed boats. A lot of times I like to trim it down in choppy water, to get the sharper part of the hull meeting the waves. Because deckboats present a fatter bow than runabouts, I trimmed it up like I would for normal cruising. The water's entry was amidships, and at 26 mph we were rewarded with a comfortable ride. Deadrise is a very moderate 13 degrees, which made it very stable at rest.
Best Use
This is your quintessential fun-in-the- sun compact boat that can do many things, and there are few others in this class that can seat 10 people comfortably. Because this is a classic deckboat, it's as wide up front as in the cockpit. Try seating four adults in the bow of most similar-sized bowriders and their feet look like they are engaged in a game of Twister. A 6-footer can recline in the bowrider seats, although backrest recline is a little upright. Cockpit seating is accommodating with a large L-lounge, and there's a sink in the abbreviated entertainment center. The Sony CD MP3 stereo is a surprisingly upscale model and was more than adequate.
The Sport 188 is a versatile performer that's fishing-ready with a recirculating livewell and casting deck in the bow. Twin boarding ladders fore and aft give you no excuse not to take the plunge whether it's swimming, skiing or exploring island beaches. There's a standard ski tow and large centerline locker in the bow with a lid supported by a hydraulic ram.
Preferred Setup
Most of these models will ship with the standard package that includes the Yamaha F115, and for cruising, fishing and towing tubes this is fine. But unless all the adults are into wakeboarding, you could use a little more power. Anglers will option this boat with the available fishing chairs and trolling motor. But because there is no rod storage, fishermen owners will want to explore the aftermarket to add rod holders. Two good options are Talon's receiver system that allows you to connect accessories like a trio of rod holders or a table whenever you need them. Another good choice is the SeaSucker system that uses an industrial-strength sucker to make a positive connection for rod holders.
Even the stock boat gives you loads of features, such as the color-coordinated Bimini top, a cooler and loads of storage underneath the ample seating. Because the SunDeck Sport 188 has such an attractive price, you are left with enough budget freeboard to spring for a nice trailer. Wide walk-throughs fore and aft of the cockpit make this a boat you will want to board.