Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Monterey 234 FSX 2007 vs Monterey 263 EX 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Monterey 234 FSX 2007 vs Monterey 263 EX 2008 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Monterey 234 FSX 2007 at 24,0 ft versus Monterey 263 EX 2008 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 263 EX 2008 tips the scales at 5 600 lbs - 1 100 lbs less than the Monterey 234 FSX 2007 at 4 500 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 375 hp, the Monterey 263 EX 2008 has a 55-hp advantage over the Monterey 234 FSX 2007's 320-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 62 gal and 60 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Monterey 263 EX 2008 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Monterey 234 FSX 2007 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
Model Year2007
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise19℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail4,500 lbs. (2,042 kg)
Weight - Detail5,600 lbs. (2,540 kg)
Weight - kg2041.16
Weight - kg2540.12
Weight - lbs.4500
Weight - lbs.5600
Length - Meters7.33
Length - Meters8.1
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet26
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 0 in. (7.33 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.1 m)
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 5 in. (8.1 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters8.05
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches317
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GL SX
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 l SX 270 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal. (234 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal60
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine max320 hp
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Operational Info
HeadPorta-potti
HeadPorta-potti
Water capacity9 gal. (34 l)
Water capacity17 gal. (64 l)