Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Monterey 197 FS 2013 vs Monterey 254FSC 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Monterey 197 FS 2013 vs Monterey 254FSC 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Monterey 254FSC 2008 has a 275-hp advantage over the Monterey 197 FS 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 197 FS 2013 carries 36 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Monterey 254FSC 2008. 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 254FSC 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Monterey 197 FS 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Monterey 254FSC 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Monterey 254FSC 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Monterey 197 FS 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail19.70 ft
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 7 in. (8.1 m)
Length - Feet19.7
Length - Feet26
Length overall - Meters6
Length overall - Meters8.1
Length overall - Inches236
Length overall - Inches319
Beam8.40 ft
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.56
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches101
Beam - Inches102
Draft [max] - Detail2.40 ft
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.73
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Displacement2800.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise20℃
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - DetailTBD
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Horsepower150 hp
Horsepowernot available
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 l SX 300 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)
Engine maxnot available
Engine max425 hp (315.9 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacity8
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - DetailVacuum Flush: 9 gal. (45 l); Optional Manual Flush: 12 gal. (34 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters45.42
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal12
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeMonterey
Modelnot available
Model254FSC
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2008
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee