Monterey 197 FS 2013 vs Monterey 254FSX 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 197 FS 2013 or the Monterey 254FSX 2009?

The Monterey 254FSX 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Monterey 197 FS 2013 comes in at 19,7 feet, making it roughly 6,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Monterey 197 FS 2013 or the Monterey 254FSX 2009?

For trailering, the Monterey 254FSX 2009 has the edge at 52 lbs dry weight versus 2 800 lbs for the Monterey 197 FS 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Monterey 254FSX 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 197 FS 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 passengers can the Monterey 197 FS 2013 carry?

The Monterey 197 FS 2013 has an official capacity rating of 6 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

The Monterey 254FSX 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 101" for the Monterey 197 FS 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 197 FS 2013 or the Monterey 254FSX 2009?

The Monterey 197 FS 2013 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Monterey 254FSX 2009. That 28-gallon difference translates to roughly 84–140 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 197 FS 2013 and Monterey 254FSX 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 197 FS 2013 and the Monterey 254FSX 2009 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 197 FS 2013 vs Monterey 254FSX 2009

Monterey

Monterey 197 FS 2013

2013

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Monterey

Monterey 254FSX 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 197 FS 2013 vs Monterey 254FSX 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 197 FS 2013 vs Monterey 254FSX 2009 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Monterey 254FSX 2009 measures 26,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Monterey 197 FS 2013 at 19,7 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 197 FS 2013 tips the scales at 2 800 lbs — 2 748 lbs more than the Monterey 254FSX 2009 at 52 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Monterey 254FSX 2009 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 254FSX 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Monterey 197 FS 2013 is rated for up to 6 people. Passenger data for the Monterey 254FSX 2009 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Monterey 254FSX 2009 at 26,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Monterey 197 FS 2013 at 19,7 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail19.70 ft

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length - Feet19.7

Length - Feet26

Length overall - Meters6

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches236

Length overall - Inchesnot available

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] - Detail41 in. (104.1 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.73

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inches41

Displacement2800.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m) 6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m) with arch lowered 8 ft. 2 in. (2.5 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in. (66 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches26

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,359 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg2358.68

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.52

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 7 in. (8.1 m)

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

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeoutboard

Drive typeInboard

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 l 300 hp SX

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (302.8 l)

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacity8

Water capacity15 gal. (56.8 l)

Boat typePower

Boat typenot available

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - DetailManual: 12 gal. (45.42 l) VacuFlush: 9 gal. (34.06 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

Model254FSX

Model Yearnot available

Model Year2009

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Monterey 197 FS 2013 vs Monterey 254FSX 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 197 FS 2013 or the Monterey 254FSX 2009?

The Monterey 254FSX 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Monterey 197 FS 2013 comes in at 19,7 feet, making it roughly 6,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Monterey 197 FS 2013 or the Monterey 254FSX 2009?

For trailering, the Monterey 254FSX 2009 has the edge at 52 lbs dry weight versus 2 800 lbs for the Monterey 197 FS 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Monterey 254FSX 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 197 FS 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 passengers can the Monterey 197 FS 2013 carry?

The Monterey 197 FS 2013 has an official capacity rating of 6 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Monterey 254FSX 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 101" for the Monterey 197 FS 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 197 FS 2013 or the Monterey 254FSX 2009?

The Monterey 197 FS 2013 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Monterey 254FSX 2009. That 28-gallon difference translates to roughly 84–140 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 197 FS 2013 and Monterey 254FSX 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 197 FS 2013 and the Monterey 254FSX 2009 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 197 FS 2013 full specs ← Monterey 254FSX 2009 full specs