Both the Monterey 244FS 2012 and the Monterey M5 MSX 2013 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Monterey 244FS 2012 at 24,0 ft versus Monterey M5 MSX 2013 at 25,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey M5 MSX 2013 tips the scales at 5 200 lbs - 900 lbs less than the Monterey 244FS 2012 at 4 300 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 M5 MSX 2013 has a 105-hp advantage over the Monterey 244FS 2012'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 M5 MSX 2013 carries 80 gallons versus 62 gallons in the Monterey 244FS 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Monterey 244FS 2012 is rated for up to 1 people. Passenger data for the Monterey M5 MSX 2013 wasn't available.