Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Monterey 197FS 2013 vs Monterey 233 EX Explorer 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Monterey 197FS 2013 vs Monterey 233 EX Explorer 2006 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 320 hp, the Monterey 233 EX Explorer 2006 has a 170-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 233 EX Explorer 2006 carries 57 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Monterey 197FS 2013. 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 233 EX Explorer 2006 is rated for 6 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 233 EX Explorer 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Monterey 233 EX Explorer 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 22,0 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
Model197FS
Model233 EX Explorer
Model Year2013
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.5 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.60 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches1
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.31
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches91
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (40 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (59 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.3 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (93 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches36
Length - Feet19.58
Length - Feet22
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 7 in. (6 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 9 in. (6.95 m)
Length overall - Meters5.97
Length overall - Meters6.93
Length overall - Inches235
Length overall - Inches273
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail5,000 lbs. (2,270 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg2267.96
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.95
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches9
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 0 in. (7.63 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal57
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine max320 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi SX
Operational Info
Water capacity8 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacity17 gal. (64 l)
Maximum capacity1,675 lbs. (760 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people1,500 lbs. (680 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail2 gal. (8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters7.57
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2