Monterey 180FS 2009 vs Monterey 197FS 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 180FS 2009 or the Monterey 197FS 2013?

The Monterey 197FS 2013 is the longer of the two at 19,6 feet overall. The Monterey 180FS 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 1,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Monterey 180FS 2009 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 197FS 2013 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Monterey 180FS 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Monterey 197FS 2013 is certified for 1. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Monterey 180FS 2009 measures 92" wide, compared to 1" for the Monterey 197FS 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Monterey 180FS 2009 or the Monterey 197FS 2013?

The Monterey 197FS 2013 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Monterey 180FS 2009. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 180FS 2009 and Monterey 197FS 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 180FS 2009 and the Monterey 197FS 2013 are built by Monterey. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Monterey 180FS 2009 vs Monterey 197FS 2013

Monterey

Monterey 180FS 2009

2009

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Monterey

Monterey 197FS 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 180FS 2009 vs Monterey 197FS 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Monterey 180FS 2009 against a deep vee Monterey 197FS 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Monterey 180FS 2009 has a 75-hp advantage over the Monterey 197FS 2013's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Monterey 197FS 2013 carries 36 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Monterey 180FS 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Monterey 180FS 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Monterey 197FS 2013 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Monterey 180FS 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Monterey 180FS 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Monterey 197FS 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMonterey

Model180FS

Model197FS

Model Year2009

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 8 in. (2.3 m)

Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches92

Beam - Inches1

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m) with tower

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.29

Bridge clearance - Meters2.31

Bridge clearance - Inches9

Bridge clearance - Inches91

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (53.3 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (40 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.4 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.3 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail2,500 lbs. (1,134 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1133.98

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.25

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters5.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet19.58

Length [over all with swim platform]20 ft. 3 in. (6.2 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 7 in. (6 m)

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.97

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches235

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 3.0 l 135 hp SX

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max225 hp (168 kW)

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacity9 gal. (34.1 l)

Water capacity8 gal. (37.8 l)

Maximum capacity1,300 lbs. (590 kg) 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) with gear

Maximum capacity1,675 lbs. (760 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people1,500 lbs. (680 kg)

Monterey 180FS 2009 vs Monterey 197FS 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 180FS 2009 or the Monterey 197FS 2013?

The Monterey 197FS 2013 is the longer of the two at 19,6 feet overall. The Monterey 180FS 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 1,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Monterey 180FS 2009 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 197FS 2013 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Monterey 180FS 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Monterey 197FS 2013 is certified for 1. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Monterey 180FS 2009 measures 92" wide, compared to 1" for the Monterey 197FS 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Monterey 180FS 2009 or the Monterey 197FS 2013?

The Monterey 197FS 2013 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Monterey 180FS 2009. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 180FS 2009 and Monterey 197FS 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 180FS 2009 and the Monterey 197FS 2013 are built by Monterey. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Monterey 180FS 2009 full specs ← Monterey 197FS 2013 full specs