It comes as no surprise that Godfrey Marine attracts the attention of recreational boaters. The company’s line of pontoon models readily meet the need of family boaters with stylish and practical appointments, while its series of deck boats offer many similar features with the added power for wide-open cruising and watersports. The company is also known to meet the needs of serious freshwater anglers with its rugged series of PolarKraft models.
Godfrey ramps up for the 2009 model year with a handful of new models, one being the Hurricane FunDeck GS200, a welcome addition to this line of deck boats that range from 16 to a little more than 23 feet.

One of the appointments Godfrey has maintained with this Hurricane is its popular bow platform. It allows an easy, safe alternate entry with its non-skid decking and concealed stainless steel swim ladder, which is neatly concealed, out of harm’s way when not in use. Boarding lights are featured port and starboard and a thoughtful forward recessed cleat is mounted for the anchor, or even an additional forward dock line.

The walk-thru, one of two on the Hurricane, is wide with a non-skid step allowing safe and easy passage into the bow. This step doubles as a storage compartment for various boat gear, such as an anchor, and is even latched to ensure it remains closed while at speed.

The two bow lounges featured port and starboard complement the 200’s high freeboard, providing a sense of security while at higher speeds or in rough water. Extended stainless steel grab rails are also located behind each lounge. More storage space for all sorts of gear is underneath the cushions and a set of stainless steel cup holders, which are recessed in the centre of both fibreglass seat bases, provide a convenient space for beverages. In fact, our test boat came equipped with a total of 11 the upgraded stainless steel beverage holders.       

An additional appointment in the bow is the set of forward speakers, two of the four on board, which drive sound from our test boat’s upgraded Sony CD stereo with an MP3 input. A Jensen CD stereo comes standard.
Heavy, 22-ounce snap-in carpeting adorns the fibreglass liner and flows flawlessly around the helm console, wet bar and all the seat bases. In fact, the fit and finish of this carpeting is so neat and precise it provides a sense of brightness and added spaciousness to the entire platform. The snap-in carpeting is part of the optional Premium Sport Package on our test boat and also includes a dual battery switch, rear wash down plus a compass and tilt wheel at the helm.

In typical deck boat fashion, the helm sits a little further aft to accommodate the additional space in the bow. However Godfrey did opt to add a large, plush helm chair with a bolster to increase sightlines forward. A series of gauges are located across the graphite dash, while the rocker switches are to the lower left of the wheel. Two more cup holders plus the optional digital depth sounder are featured to the lower right of the wheel. As an added benefit Godfrey featured SeaStar hydraulic steering.

Located immediately to port from the helm is the standard wet bar with a stainless faucet and pressure-water. Its latched, compartment door conceals storage space for a trash receptacle or an on board cooler. In between the wet bar and helm console is an in-floor locker. Clean with a smooth finish, this locker is large enough to hold more items such as cumbersome water toys and essential boating gear when not in use.

The aft L-shape lounge extends from the base of the wet bar and across three-quarters of the transom. Like the two lounges forward, a set of cup holders are recessed in the fibreglass base. Even more space for gear is under the cushions and room for a 36-quart cooler is under the centre section. There’s also a mount for the standard cockpit table.

Just aft of the lounge are two additional cup holders and immediately to starboard is the second walk-thru, which leads to another, yet smaller, swim platform complete with a stainless grab rail and concealed ladder with a finished, hinged fibreglass lid. To starboard of the engine is another small compartment.
Another notable appointment on the 200 is its upholstery, which Godfrey refers to as GX48. Soft and durable, this material incorporates strong interlocking backing that not only offers added strength, but reduces wrinkling, aging, cracking, and drying. It also resists against scratching and scuffing.

Our test boat at the company’s media event in Syracuse was powered by Honda Marine’s popular BF150 hp four-stroke, spinning a three-bladed 14 1/4 x 17-inch stainless steel Solas prop. Quiet as expected, the BF150 moved the 200 Hurricane out of the slip quick and easy and made our way to open water for a series of speed trials.
With its weight of a little more than 3,000 pounds and two adults on board, the 200 handled very well, very predictable and very much in control at all speeds. What’s more was the fact that there wasn’t any major cavitation during our series of tight, high speed turns – an added benefit for watersports such as tubing, waterskiing and wakeboarding.

Out of the hole was quick and effortless for the Hurricane-Honda package and moving into the higher rpm-range, the BF150 pushed the 200 to 27.1 mph at 4,500 rpm, 32 mph at 5,000 rpm, 36.1 mph at 5,500 rpm while top speed was an impressive 42 mph at 6,100 rpm. At this speed, according to Godfrey test data, the BF150 sips 13.9 gallons of fuel per hour (gph). While this may not be the everyday speed for recreational boaters, it’s worth mentioning we found the ideal cruising speed to be between 4,500 to 5,000 rpm, producing speeds between 27 to 32 mph and consuming six to eight gph.

Godfrey will certainly continue to attract the attention of recreational boaters with this latest entry. The standard power of 150 hp offers the ideal speed for a variety of activities, while the amenities and onboard space provide the comfort to enjoy your on-water activities that much more.

– Steve Fennell
 
Hurricane Fundeck GS 200

LOA                                           20’3”                                     
Beam                                         102”
Weight (dry)                              3,116 lbs.               
Deadrise                                   13 degrees
Passenger Capacity                  9        
Fuel Capacity                             51 gal/193 L
Power (standard)                       150 hp
Power (as reviewed)                  Honda BF150 hp four-stroke
Retail price (base MSRP)            $35,399 w/Honda BF150 four-stroke
Retail price (as reviewed)            $39,582
 
 
Review Boat Provided by

Godfrey Marine
4500 Middlebury Street; Elkhart, IN, 46516
(574) 522-8381
www.godfreymarine.com