Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Monterey 197FS 2013 vs Monterey 278SS 2009 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Monterey 197FS 2013 and the Monterey 278SS 2009 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Monterey 278SS 2009 has a 275-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 278SS 2009 carries 89 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.
The Monterey 197FS 2013 is rated for up to 1 people. Passenger data for the Monterey 278SS 2009 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Monterey 278SS 2009 at 28,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Monterey 197FS 2013 at 19,6 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.
General Boat Info
Model Year2013
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.5 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches1
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m) 8 ft. 7 in. (2.62 m) with arch
Bridge clearance - Meters2.31
Bridge clearance - Meters2.62
Bridge clearance - Inches91
Bridge clearance - Inches103
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (40 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.3 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches37
Length - Feet19.58
Length - Feet28
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 7 in. (6 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.97
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches235
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail5,500 lbs. (2,495 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg2494.76
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.55
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.8
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.8 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail89 gal. (337 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters336.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal89
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 300 hp 5.7 Gi DP
Operational Info
Water capacity8 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacity15 gal. (57 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 - Detail16 gal. (61 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters60.57
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal16