Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 vs Monterey 264FS 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

The Monterey 264FS 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,6 feet overall. The Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 4,6 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

For trailering, the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 has the edge at 5 000 lbs dry weight versus 5 400 lbs for the Monterey 264FS 2012. 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 264FS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 tops out at 320 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 233 ES Explorer 2006 carry?

The Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 and Monterey 264FS 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.60 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 233 ES Explorer 2006 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

The Monterey 264FS 2012 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 and Monterey 264FS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 and the Monterey 264FS 2012 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 233 ES Explorer 2006 vs Monterey 264FS 2012

Monterey

Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006

2006

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Monterey

Monterey 264FS 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 vs Monterey 264FS 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 vs Monterey 264FS 2012 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 264FS 2012 measures 26,6 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 at 22,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 264FS 2012 tips the scales at 5 400 lbs - 400 lbs less than the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 at 5 000 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 264FS 2012 has a 105-hp advantage over the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006's 320-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 264FS 2012 carries 80 gallons versus 57 gallons in the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 is rated for up to 6 people. Passenger data for the Monterey 264FS 2012 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Monterey 264FS 2012 at 26,6 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 at 22,0 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

MakeMonterey

Model233 ES Explorer

Model264FS

Model Year2006

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.60 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (59 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in. (0.66 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches26

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (93 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail41 in. (1.04 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches41

Weight - Detail5,000 lbs. (2,270 kg)

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,450 kg)

Weight - kg2267.96

Weight - kg2449.4

Weight - lbs.5000

Weight - lbs.5400

Length - Meters6.95

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Feet26.58

Length - Inches9

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 0 in. (7.63 m)

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

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 9 in. (6.95 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters6.93

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches273

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.5 m) With Arch or Tower Folded: 6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi SX

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (302.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard

Engine max320 hp

Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Water capacity17 gal. (64 l)

Water capacity15 gal. (56.8 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail2 gal. (8 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail11 gal. (41.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters7.57

Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Holding tank capacity - Gal11

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 vs Monterey 264FS 2012 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

The Monterey 264FS 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,6 feet overall. The Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 4,6 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

For trailering, the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 has the edge at 5 000 lbs dry weight versus 5 400 lbs for the Monterey 264FS 2012. 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 264FS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 tops out at 320 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 233 ES Explorer 2006 carry?

The Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 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.

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

Both the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 and Monterey 264FS 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.60 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 233 ES Explorer 2006 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

The Monterey 264FS 2012 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 and Monterey 264FS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 233 ES Explorer 2006 and the Monterey 264FS 2012 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 233 ES Explorer 2006 full specs ← Monterey 264FS 2012 full specs