Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Monterey Boat Models (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Monterey Boat Models (Ranked)
Monterey Boats has built a reputation for clean lines, sturdy fiberglass construction, and a value proposition that sits a notch below premium brands while delivering similar comfort. This ranking is for buyers shopping the bowrider, deck boat, and sport cruiser segments who want a family-friendly hull that holds resale value and survives years of weekend use.
We judged the field on build quality, ride in chop, layout versatility, engine options, and what each model commands on the used market. Whether you tow a 20-footer behind a midsize SUV or keep a 35-foot cruiser in a slip, the picks below cover the range of what Monterey has produced over the last two decades.
Direct Answer
The best overall Monterey is the 2018-2023 Monterey 258SS, a do-everything 25-foot bowrider that runs roughly $95,000-$135,000 used and pairs a deep, dry hull with a smart layout. The best value pick is the 2008-2014 Monterey 224FS, a clean fish-and-ski deck boat that trades around $22,000-$34,000 and gives families enormous usable space for the money.
Survey any older Monterey carefully for stringer moisture and outdrive wear before you sign.
How We Ranked
- Build quality — hull lamination, hardware, and gelcoat durability separate a boat that lasts 20 years from one that crazes early.
- Ride and dryness — deadrise and bow flare decide whether a day on a 2-foot chop is fun or punishing.
- Layout versatility — seating that converts, real storage, and a usable head extend how a boat gets used.
- Engine options — strong sterndrive and outboard choices keep maintenance reasonable and resale broad.
- Resale value — Monterey holds value well; models with proven demand protect your money at trade-in.
1. 2018-2023 Monterey 258SS 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The 258SS is the bowrider that does the most things well. At 25 feet 8 inches with a beam near 8 feet 6 inches, it carries up to 12 people and rides on a deep-V hull with roughly 21 degrees of transom deadrise, which keeps it dry and planted when the lake or bay kicks up.
The cockpit converts from a sun-soaked lounge to a tow platform without fuss, and the optional extended swim platform makes watersports and swimming genuinely easy.
Power is typically a single MerCruiser 6.2L sterndrive making 300-350 horsepower, good for an honest mid-50s mph top end and effortless cruising in the high 30s. Used examples run $95,000-$135,000 depending on hours, trailer, and tower options. It is not cheap, but the combination of ride, capacity, and resale makes it the most defensible all-around pick in the lineup.
- Price: ~$95,000-$135,000 used
- Pros: Dry deep-V ride, large capacity, strong resale, convertible cockpit
- Cons: Premium price, sterndrive maintenance, big trailer footprint
Verdict: The best blend of comfort, capability, and value retention Monterey makes.
2. 2008-2014 Monterey 224FS 💎 BEST VALUE
The 224FS ("Fun Sport") is a deck boat that delivers a staggering amount of usable real estate for the money. At about 24 feet with a wide 8-foot-6 beam, the near-vertical bow and full-width deck create lounging and seating room that a same-length bowrider cannot match.
Families load it with kids, coolers, and gear and still have room to move.
A typical MerCruiser 5.0L or 5.7L sterndrive making 260-300 horsepower pushes it to the mid-40s mph while sipping fuel at cruise. Because deck boats depreciate faster than premium bowriders, clean used examples sell for just $22,000-$34,000, which is the cheapest entry to a roomy, well-built Monterey.
Check the cockpit sole and stringers for soft spots, since the flat deck can trap water if drains clog.
- Price: ~$22,000-$34,000 used
- Pros: Huge usable space, family friendly, low entry price
- Cons: Slower than a deep-V, flat hull pounds in chop, watch deck moisture
Verdict: The most boat-for-the-dollar in the Monterey catalog.
3. 2015-2021 Monterey 298SS
The 298SS is the big-bowrider flagship, stretching nearly 30 feet with a 9-foot beam and a cabin-quality enclosed head tucked under the console. It seats well over a dozen and runs twin MerCruiser 6.2L sterndrives or a single big-block, putting top speed in the mid-to-high 50s mph range.
The hull is a deep-V that handles open water far better than the smaller models.
This is the choice for buyers who want a yacht-like dayboat without stepping up to a full cruiser. Used prices land between $120,000 and $185,000, and the twin-engine examples carry a premium for their handling and redundancy. Budget for higher fuel and dual-outdrive service.
- Price: ~$120,000-$185,000 used
- Pros: Big-water ride, enclosed head, huge seating, optional twins
- Cons: Expensive to run, large slip or trailer required
Verdict: Monterey's most capable dayboat for open water and big groups.
4. 2005-2012 Monterey 268SC
The 268 Sport Cruiser is an overnighter that punches above its 27-foot length. The cabin includes a V-berth, a galley with a sink, and an enclosed marine head with a holding tank, making weekend trips realistic for a couple. The hull is a solid deep-V that tracks well at cruise.
Power is usually a single MerCruiser 350 MAG sterndrive around 300 horsepower, returning a comfortable 30s mph cruise. Clean used boats trade for $28,000-$45,000, a strong value for a cruiser with real accommodations. Inspect the canvas, the shore-power system, and the transom assembly closely, as these wear with age.
- Price: ~$28,000-$45,000 used
- Pros: Real overnight cabin, enclosed head, affordable entry to cruising
- Cons: Aging systems, dated electronics, sterndrive bellows maintenance
Verdict: An affordable, capable couple's weekender.
5. 2016-2022 Monterey 218SS
The 218SS is the sweet-spot trailerable bowrider, around 21 feet 8 inches with a 8-foot-3 beam, light enough to tow behind most midsize SUVs and pickups. It seats roughly 10 people and rides a moderate deep-V that stays dry on a typical inland lake. The layout is tidy, with good cockpit storage and an easy boarding ladder.
A single MerCruiser 4.5L at 250 horsepower or a 6.2L upgrade gives lively performance, with the bigger engine reaching the high-40s mph. Used prices range $38,000-$58,000. This is the model to buy if you want a newer Monterey you can keep in the garage and launch yourself.
- Price: ~$38,000-$58,000 used
- Pros: Easy to tow, garage-friendly, modern styling, low running cost
- Cons: Less capacity than 25-footers, smaller in open chop
Verdict: The most practical trailerable Monterey bowrider.
6. 2007-2013 Monterey 320 Sport Yacht
The 320 Sport Yacht is Monterey's express cruiser, a 32-footer with a proper cabin that sleeps four, a separate head compartment, a galley, and a mid-cabin berth. Twin MerCruiser 350 MAG or 8.1L sterndrives drive it to a high-30s mph top end with a relaxed cruise in the upper 20s.
This is a true weekend-and-beyond boat for a family that wants to stay aboard. Used examples sell for $45,000-$78,000, a fraction of original MSRP, which makes a clean one a value buy among small express cruisers. The catch is cost of ownership: dual engines, gen-set, and air conditioning all need upkeep, and a survey is mandatory.
- Price: ~$45,000-$78,000 used
- Pros: Sleeps four, air conditioning, twin-engine redundancy, big value vs. MSRP
- Cons: High maintenance, slip required, thirsty at speed
Verdict: A lot of cruiser for the money if you budget for upkeep.
7. 2010-2016 Monterey 204FS
The 204FS is the smaller deck boat, around 20 feet 4 inches, built for the buyer who wants deck-boat roominess in a lighter, easier-to-tow package. The flat, wide layout seats a crowd for its size, and the low freeboard makes boarding from the water simple for kids and dogs.
A MerCruiser 4.3L at 190-220 horsepower is plenty for cruising and light watersports, topping out in the high-30s to low-40s mph. Used prices are friendly at $18,000-$30,000. It is the entry point to the brand, ideal for calm lakes and casual days rather than rough open water.
- Price: ~$18,000-$30,000 used
- Pros: Roomy for its size, easy tow, low cost, simple boarding
- Cons: Modest power, pounds in waves, limited storage
Verdict: A budget-friendly first Monterey for calm-water families.
8. 2014-2020 Monterey 278SS
The 278SS slots between the 258 and 298 as a 27-foot bowrider with an enclosed head and a deep, dry hull. It carries a big group, handles a 2-to-3-foot chop with composure, and offers a more upscale finish than the smaller models. The walk-through transom and extended swim platform make it a strong watersports platform.
Power is typically a MerCruiser 8.2L or twin 6.2L sterndrives, giving a mid-50s mph top end. Used boats run $85,000-$135,000. It is a near-twin in mission to the 258SS, just larger and pricier, making it the pick for buyers who want extra room without going to the 30-foot flagship.
- Price: ~$85,000-$135,000 used
- Pros: Dry big-water ride, enclosed head, premium finish, strong tow boat
- Cons: Pricey, large footprint, higher fuel burn
Verdict: A roomier step up from the 258 for open-water buyers.
9. 2006-2012 Monterey 250CR
The 250 Cruiser is a compact 25-foot express with a surprising amount of cabin: a V-berth, a small galley, and an enclosed head with a porta-potti or holding tank depending on year. It is a smart choice for couples who want occasional overnighting without the size or cost of a 30-footer.
A single MerCruiser 5.7L or 350 MAG sterndrive around 300 horsepower cruises comfortably in the upper 20s mph. Used prices sit at $24,000-$40,000. Like all aging cruisers, check the canvas, the bilge, and the outdrive bellows, and confirm the freshwater and electrical systems still work.
- Price: ~$24,000-$40,000 used
- Pros: Compact cruiser, real cabin, affordable, trailerable with the right rig
- Cons: Tight quarters, aging systems, dated styling
Verdict: A small, affordable cruiser for weekend couples.
10. 2019-2023 Monterey M-Series M22
The M22 is part of Monterey's surf-and-tow M-Series, a 22-foot boat built around wake sports with ballast tanks, a tower, and a surf-shaped hull. It seats a crowd, throws a clean wake, and finishes to a high standard with comfortable wraparound seating and quality upholstery.
Power is a MerCruiser 6.2L with the Bravo Three dual-prop outdrive, ideal for the low-speed grunt that surf boats need. Because it is newer and purpose-built, used prices run $60,000-$90,000. If your priority is wakesurfing rather than cruising, the M22 is the Monterey to shortlist.
- Price: ~$60,000-$90,000 used
- Pros: Strong surf wake, ballast and tower standard, premium finish
- Cons: Niche mission, higher cost, less versatile for plain cruising
Verdict: The pick for wakesurf-focused Monterey buyers.
How to Choose
What to Look For
- Stringers and transom: Tap the cockpit sole and transom for soft or wet spots; moisture intrusion is the most expensive failure on older fiberglass boats.
- Outdrive condition: On sterndrive models, check the bellows, gimbal bearing, and outdrive oil for milky contamination signaling a water leak.
- Engine hours and service: Ask for compression numbers and service records; a gas marine engine with documented maintenance and under 500 hours is ideal.
- Trailer and survey: A matching, road-worthy trailer adds real value, and a professional survey on any cruiser over 25 feet is money well spent.
FAQ
Are Monterey boats good quality? Yes. Monterey is regarded as a strong upper-mid-tier builder with solid fiberglass hulls, good hardware, and durable gelcoat. They are not custom-yacht grade, but they out-build many volume brands and hold value better than most.
What is the best Monterey for a family? The 258SS bowrider is the best family all-rounder for its dry ride, large capacity, and convertible cockpit. On a tighter budget, the 224FS deck boat gives families the most usable space for the money.
Do Monterey boats hold their value? Generally yes. Monterey's build reputation and steady demand keep resale strong, especially on the popular SS bowriders. Deck boats and older cruisers depreciate faster, which is exactly what makes them good used values.
Sterndrive or outboard on a Monterey? Most Montereys are sterndrive (MerCruiser). Sterndrives free up cockpit space and run quietly, but they need bellows and outdrive service. Newer M-Series boats use the Bravo Three dual-prop drive suited to wake sports.
Bottom Line
For the best all-around Monterey, the 2018-2023 258SS wins on ride, capacity, and resale. For the most boat per dollar, the 2008-2014 224FS deck boat is the value play. Match the hull to your water and budget, survey anything aging, and you will land a Monterey that serves a family well for years.
Sources
- Boat Trader — used Monterey listings and pricing
- Discover Boating — boat type and buying guidance
- NADA Guides / J.D. Power — used boat valuation data
- Boating Magazine — Monterey model tests and reviews
- NMMA — recreational boating market data
- BoatUS — survey, maintenance, and ownership guidance
- Monterey Boats — manufacturer model specifications
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