9 Most-Common Problems With Hurricane Boats

Hurricane Boats are supposed to be sturdy and comfortable. Still, all good captains should keep their eyes peeled for these ten common issues.

We’ve researched the most common problems with Hurricane boats to give you the best overview of the things that can go wrong.

That being said, Hurricane boats are definitely great boats, but all brands have their strength and weaknesses.

1. Rusting Stainless Steel

Stainless steel isn’t supposed to rust. That’s the whole point of the alloy! Yet, sometimes Hurricane boats are experiencing this problem.

Why is this? We can speculate that it has something to do with the grade of stainless steel used in these boats.

There are over 150 different grades of stainless steel, which vary in their corrosion resistance.

Some Hurricane Boat captains have suggested that perhaps low-quality stainless steel was used in the manufacturing, but the company hasn’t spoken out to agree or disagree.

They have, on occasion, replaced faulty rails for some captains.

More often than not, however, the corrosion is considered “cosmetic,” and nothing is done to remedy the situation.

2. Electric Toilet Flush

Ever have your toilet back up on you at home? Not a fun experience!

Imagine how much worse it could be out on the water. For quite a few Hurricane Boat captains, they don’t have to imagine anything. They find that for one reason or another, their toilet will not flush.

A common reason for this points to the macerator pump.

And excuse me, but to describe it, I’m going to have to get a little gross. A macerator pump’s purpose is to work as a kind of blender for human waste. This reduces it to a more manageable slurry-like consistency that makes it easier for the pump to flush it into the holding tank.

The problems occur when the macerator pump is either not powerful enough or malfunctions, leaving you with a smelly mess.

It’s not always the macerator pump, though. Sometimes it’s a faulty O-ring. Either way, this is a common issue with Hurricane Boats, and you should check your toilet before making any long voyages.

3. Drainage Issues

Under the seat storage in Hurricane Boats are designed to drain away any excess water. However, many captains notice clogs that cannot be cleared away with fishing wire or compressed air.

To get rid of the standing water, some captains have to resort to using a wet vac.

This could become a real issue for you if you are caught in a storm or dock your boat during heavy rains. Nobody wants to spend all that time bailing water out of their boat before they use it, right?

This isn’t too widespread an issue, but it’s common enough that it bears mentioning.

Be aware that this is a problem in some Hurricane Boats and stay vigilant for any clogs in the drainage system.

4. No Fresh Water

Sometimes, the captain of a Hurricane Boat will flip on the switch to the freshwater pump and…nothing.

Not a peep, not a whisper, not a groan.

In this case, I regret to inform you that your Hurricane Boat came with a defective fresh water pump. Not an issue if you’re still under warranty, of course.

My advice is to keep a close ear on that freshwater pump and if it starts making “different” sounds close to your warranty’s expiration, call the manufacturer ASAP.

Otherwise, you’ll be footing the bill for this water pump replacement yourself!

5. Dashboard Cracks

This is more of a cosmetic flaw, so it isn’t something to get too worked up about. Some Hurricane Boat captains report cracks in their dashboard, which they experience even without removing the dash.

Tiny cracks emanate from the screws that hold the cover in place.

So, what causes it? Fluctuations in temperature most likely cause it. Rapid heating and cooling, excessive exposure to direct sunlight, or any other temperature-related reason could cause.

Fine, but is it covered by your warranty? It seems that Hurricane Boats have a limit on their warranties for cosmetic defects.

Although they will guarantee the upholstery, carpeting, and canopy fabric for up to five years (non-transferable), those cracks in the dash aren’t covered.

6. Poor Tracking

Another common issue with Hurricane Boats is their tendency to wander. Many captains have mentioned that their vessel tends to veer off course when traveling at idle speed (between 1000 and 1500 RPM).

This is such a widespread issue that many Hurricane Boat owners use trim tabs on their boats to correct the issue.

Some captains report that the trim tabs do not fully resolve the issue, though, so be aware that it may only improve the wandering at idle speeds. For some owners, this issue is too annoying for them to bear, so they actually opt to trade in their boats for another model or make it all together.

7. Inaccurate Gas Gauge

Probably one of the gauges you refer to most frequently, the gas gauge needs to be accurate.

After all, thinking you have more gas than you do can be a pretty great way of getting stranded.

Some Hurricane Boat owners have noticed that their fuel gauge is inaccurate, sometimes even reading “full” all the time.

What causes it?

The captains of these boats have come up with three most likely culprits in their experience. The first could be that the floater is stuck. If this is the case, you’ll need to knock it loose again so that it can display the true fuel level on the gauge. Another could be the “pink wire”.

On the back of your fuel gauge, make sure that the pink wire is not grounded. You can even unhook it and reattach it to make sure it’s not a connection issue.

If all else fails, the problem might be your fuel sending unit. If this is the case, you better hope your model comes with an easy access panel.

In some models, you have to cut a hole to reach this unit.

8. Live Well Stops Working

Some Hurricane Boat captain switched on their mighty vessel only to realize – they live well pump isn’t working.

Not a huge fisher? A live well is a small tub of water designed to keep bait and fish alive.

The tank replenishes continuously, using the water around the boat to aerate and circulate the tank to maintain a healthy habitat.

But sometimes, it just won’t work when you need it.

There’s a couple of things you can do to try troubleshooting it before you write it off as a lost cause:

1. First, make sure the valves are open.
   • It’s usually a red, flat handle. Make sure that’s in the “open” position.
2. If it still doesn’t work, try priming the pump.
   • To prime the pump, it may help to use a bucket to pour some water into the tank.
   • Sometimes, it can help place your boat in reverse on the water at a slow, steady speed. Don’t go too fast, or your boat will take on water.
3. If this still doesn’t work and you’re under warranty, reach out to the manufacturer.

9. Cracked Fiberglass

Some Hurricane Boat owners have noticed cracks in the sides and decks of their boats.

It’s unsure what causes this exactly, as it could be any number of things. In many cases where this is an issue, it happens within a couple of years of purchase, well within the limited lifetime warranty…unless it can be considered a cosmetic defect.

When there’s a problem that affects much of the boat, however, Hurricane Boats is known to replace the boat in its entirety.

They may even send you a new boat, as they did for one captain whose gel coating was cracked on their transom.

It’s not a guarantee that they will send you a new boat if you experience widespread cracking, though, especially if they deem it only a cosmetic defect.

Be aware of the issue and make sure to ask about it before you commit.

Hull Cracks

The Hurricane has a ten-year warranty on the hull, which is great…because you might need it.

Pay special attention to your boat when washing it or transporting it for any cracks – closely inspect anything that looks like a scratch. Some captains report hull cracks after only 80 hours on the water with their Hurricane.

They take special care when docking, and the boats affected have not received any blows to the hull.

So what causes it?

A few owners speculate that it might be plain old fashioned cutting corners. Maybe the factory skimped on resin and fiberglass when building a few of the Hurricanes or the day was too humid.

Either way, if you’re the first owner, be sure to make use of your ten-year warranty as soon as you catch a crack.

Hull damage is always serious (and often expensive to repair without a warranty).

Conclusion

So, there you have it!

Those are the ten most common issues with Hurricane Boats that I’ve found.

Do you own one of these boats? What issues have you found on your Hurricane?

If you liked this list, share it with your other boating friends on social media!