Monterey 248 LS 2007 vs Monterey M3 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 248 LS 2007 or the Monterey M3 2012?

The Monterey 248 LS 2007 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Monterey M3 2012 comes in at 23,8 feet, making it roughly 0,2 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 248 LS 2007 or the Monterey M3 2012?

For trailering, the Monterey M3 2012 has the edge at 4 500 lbs dry weight versus 4 900 lbs for the Monterey 248 LS 2007. 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 248 LS 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey M3 2012 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 248 LS 2007 carry?

The Monterey 248 LS 2007 has an official capacity rating of 7 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 248 LS 2007 and Monterey M3 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 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 248 LS 2007 or the Monterey M3 2012?

The Monterey 248 LS 2007 has the bigger tank at 77 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Monterey M3 2012. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 248 LS 2007 and Monterey M3 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 248 LS 2007 and the Monterey M3 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 248 LS 2007 vs Monterey M3 2012

Monterey

Monterey 248 LS 2007

2007

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Monterey

Monterey M3 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 248 LS 2007 vs Monterey M3 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 248 LS 2007 vs Monterey M3 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Monterey 248 LS 2007 at 24,0 ft versus Monterey M3 2012 at 23,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 248 LS 2007 tips the scales at 4 900 lbs - 400 lbs more than the Monterey M3 2012 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 248 LS 2007 has a 55-hp advantage over the Monterey M3 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 248 LS 2007 carries 77 gallons versus 50 gallons in the Monterey M3 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Monterey 248 LS 2007 is rated for up to 7 people. Passenger data for the Monterey M3 2012 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Monterey 248 LS 2007 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Monterey M3 2012 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeMonterey

Model248 LS

ModelM3

Model Year2007

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise20°

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in. (0.68 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (95 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (0.99 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail4,900 lbs. (2,224 kg)

Weight - Detail4,500 lbs. (2,041 kg)

Weight - kg2222.6

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.4900

Weight - lbs.4500

Length - Meters7.48

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet23.83

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 7 in. (8.12 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 10 in. (7.04 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 6 in. (7.48 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters7.47

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches294

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi SX

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail77 gal. (291 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189.3 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters291.48

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal77

Fuel tank capacity - Gal50

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Engine max375 hp

Engine max320 hp (223.7 kW)

Operational Info

HeadPorta-potti

Headnot available

Water capacity14 gal. (52 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (37.9 l)

Monterey 248 LS 2007 vs Monterey M3 2012 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 248 LS 2007 or the Monterey M3 2012?

The Monterey 248 LS 2007 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Monterey M3 2012 comes in at 23,8 feet, making it roughly 0,2 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 248 LS 2007 or the Monterey M3 2012?

For trailering, the Monterey M3 2012 has the edge at 4 500 lbs dry weight versus 4 900 lbs for the Monterey 248 LS 2007. 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 248 LS 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey M3 2012 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 248 LS 2007 carry?

The Monterey 248 LS 2007 has an official capacity rating of 7 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 248 LS 2007 and Monterey M3 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 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 248 LS 2007 or the Monterey M3 2012?

The Monterey 248 LS 2007 has the bigger tank at 77 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Monterey M3 2012. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 248 LS 2007 and Monterey M3 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 248 LS 2007 and the Monterey M3 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 248 LS 2007 full specs ← Monterey M3 2012 full specs