Monterey 234SS 2013 boat specs
Monterey
Monterey 234SS 2013
2013
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VS
Monterey 254FSX 2008 boat specs
Monterey
Monterey 254FSX 2008
2008
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Monterey 234SS 2013 vs Monterey 254FSX 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Monterey 234SS 2013 against a modified vee Monterey 254FSX 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Monterey 234SS 2013 at 23,0 ft versus Monterey 254FSX 2008 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 234SS 2013 tips the scales at 395 lbs — 343 lbs more than the Monterey 254FSX 2008 at 52 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 254FSX 2008 has a 125-hp advantage over the Monterey 234SS 2013'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 234SS 2013 carries 52 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Monterey 254FSX 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 254FSX 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Monterey 234SS 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 254FSX 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Monterey 254FSX 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 234SS 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
MakeMonterey
MakeMonterey
Model234SS
Model254FSX
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Tower: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.4 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.36
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches93
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches25
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail3,950 lbs. (1,792 kg)
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,359 kg)
Weight - kg1791.69
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - lbs.395
Weight - lbs.52
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet26
Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. (7.01 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 7 in. (8.1 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters8.1
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches319
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84
Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83
Fuel tank capacity - Gal52
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine max300 hp (223.7 kW)
Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 l SX 300 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people1,775 lbs. (805 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - DetailVacuum flush: 9 gal. (45 l);
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters34.07
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal9

Monterey 234SS 2013 vs Monterey 254FSX 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 234SS 2013 or the Monterey 254FSX 2008?
The Monterey 254FSX 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Monterey 234SS 2013 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Monterey 234SS 2013 or the Monterey 254FSX 2008?
For trailering, the Monterey 254FSX 2008 has the edge at 52 lbs dry weight versus 395 lbs for the Monterey 234SS 2013. 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 254FSX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 234SS 2013 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 234SS 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Monterey 254FSX 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 234SS 2013 and Monterey 254FSX 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 234SS 2013 or the Monterey 254FSX 2008?
The Monterey 234SS 2013 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Monterey 254FSX 2008. That 44-gallon difference translates to roughly 132–220 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Monterey 234SS 2013 and Monterey 254FSX 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Monterey 234SS 2013 and the Monterey 254FSX 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.