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.