Monterey 224FSC 2012 vs Monterey 263 EX 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 224FSC 2012 or the Monterey 263 EX 2008?

The Monterey 263 EX 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Monterey 224FSC 2012 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Monterey 224FSC 2012 or the Monterey 263 EX 2008?

For trailering, the Monterey 224FSC 2012 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Monterey 263 EX 2008. 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 263 EX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 224FSC 2012 tops out at 300 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 224FSC 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Monterey 263 EX 2008 is certified for 8. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Monterey 224FSC 2012 and Monterey 263 EX 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Monterey 224FSC 2012 or the Monterey 263 EX 2008?

The Monterey 224FSC 2012 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Monterey 263 EX 2008. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 224FSC 2012 and Monterey 263 EX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 224FSC 2012 and the Monterey 263 EX 2008 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 224FSC 2012 vs Monterey 263 EX 2008

Monterey

Monterey 224FSC 2012

2012

View full specs →

Monterey

Monterey 263 EX 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 224FSC 2012 vs Monterey 263 EX 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Monterey 224FSC 2012 against a modified vee Monterey 263 EX 2008 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Monterey 263 EX 2008 measures 26,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Monterey 224FSC 2012 at 21,0 feet (2012). At 39 lbs and 56 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Monterey 263 EX 2008 has a 75-hp advantage over the Monterey 224FSC 2012's 300-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 224FSC 2012 carries 55 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Monterey 263 EX 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 263 EX 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Monterey 224FSC 2012 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Monterey 263 EX 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Monterey 263 EX 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 224FSC 2012 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

Model224FSC

Model263 EX

Model Year2012

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Tower: 7 ft. 5 in. (2.26 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.26

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches89

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail3,900 lbs. (1,769 kg)

Weight - Detail5,600 lbs. (2,540 kg)

Weight - kg1769.01

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.39

Weight - lbs.56

Length - Feet21

Length - Feet26

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 9 in. (6.9 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.1 m)

Length overall - Detail21 ft. (6.4 m)

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 5 in. (8.1 m)

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Meters8.05

Length overall - Inches252

Length overall - Inches317

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Engine max300 hp (223.7 kW)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 l SX 270 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)

Water capacity17 gal. (64 l)

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people1,775 lbs. (805 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Headnot available

HeadPorta-potti

Monterey 224FSC 2012 vs Monterey 263 EX 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 224FSC 2012 or the Monterey 263 EX 2008?

The Monterey 263 EX 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Monterey 224FSC 2012 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Monterey 224FSC 2012 or the Monterey 263 EX 2008?

For trailering, the Monterey 224FSC 2012 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Monterey 263 EX 2008. 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 263 EX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 224FSC 2012 tops out at 300 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 224FSC 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Monterey 263 EX 2008 is certified for 8. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Monterey 224FSC 2012 and Monterey 263 EX 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Monterey 224FSC 2012 or the Monterey 263 EX 2008?

The Monterey 224FSC 2012 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Monterey 263 EX 2008. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 224FSC 2012 and Monterey 263 EX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 224FSC 2012 and the Monterey 263 EX 2008 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 224FSC 2012 full specs ← Monterey 263 EX 2008 full specs