Hurricane makes no bones about the reason for the existence of the SunDeck 2690 OB. The boat is designed to offer existing 2200 and 2400 owners a familiar craft to move up to in the SunDeck lineup. It’s also intended to appeal to customers on larger bodies of water — those more prone to larger waves and stronger currents, such as the Florida Gulf Coast — who demand a bigger boat than Hurricane previously offered. The boatbuilder tapped renowned hull design firm C. Raymond Hunt with the task of creating such a boat while retaining the SunDeck’s trademark shallow draft and stable, dry ride. Hunt has a long track record of successful rough-water hulls, including the current Grady-White fleet, the eponymous Hunt Yachts boats and the legendary Bertram 31. The result is a boat that embraces the familiar Hurricane lines while featuring a variable deadrise; wide, pronounced chines; a generous 9-foot beam, and minimal 15-inch draft.

Hurricane carries that 9-foot beam nearly all the way forward, giving the 2690 a spacious foredeck that enables boarding from either port or starboard. A central locker houses both the anchor and a flip-out boarding ladder. The cockpit behind also takes full advantage of that beam. There’s room for adults, whether seated on the facing benches or kicked back in reclining mode. Step through the open windshield, and the main cockpit features dual helm chairs (each with a flip-up bolster), starboard entertainment center with optional electric grill and refrigerator, and an L-shaped bench with central walk-through to the swim platform. An optional, fold-out jump seat can be added to the starboard coaming should you need to fit in just one more passenger. Below the floor, a fiberglass stringer grid provides the necessary rigidity, while also forming a clean, gelcoated liner for the below-seat storage compartments. That combination stringer/liner also makes possible an enormous in-floor ski locker, accessible by two separate hatches, as well as an oversize, low-maintenance head compartment with wood cabinet, solid surface countertop and stainless-steel sink.

At speed, the 2690 displayed surprising agility, diving in and out of corners with precision and confidence that belied its size. It also planed quickly, leveling off in only 3.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 46.9 mph.