Monterey 250 CR 2008 vs Monterey 278SC 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 250 CR 2008 or the Monterey 278SC 2009?

The Monterey 278SC 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Monterey 250 CR 2008 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 250 CR 2008 or the Monterey 278SC 2009?

For trailering, the Monterey 278SC 2009 has the edge at 5 600 lbs dry weight versus 6 100 lbs for the Monterey 250 CR 2008. 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 278SC 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 250 CR 2008 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 250 CR 2008 carry?

The Monterey 250 CR 2008 has an official capacity rating of 8 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 250 CR 2008 and Monterey 278SC 2009 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 250 CR 2008 or the Monterey 278SC 2009?

The Monterey 278SC 2009 has the bigger tank at 89 gallons, versus 77 gallons on the Monterey 250 CR 2008. That 12-gallon difference translates to roughly 36–60 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 250 CR 2008 and Monterey 278SC 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 250 CR 2008 and the Monterey 278SC 2009 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 250 CR 2008 vs Monterey 278SC 2009

Monterey

Monterey 250 CR 2008

2008

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Monterey

Monterey 278SC 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 250 CR 2008 vs Monterey 278SC 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 250 CR 2008 is a modified-V design and the Monterey 278SC 2009 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 250 CR 2008 at 27,0 ft versus Monterey 278SC 2009 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 250 CR 2008 tips the scales at 6 100 lbs - 500 lbs more than the Monterey 278SC 2009 at 5 600 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 278SC 2009 has a 105-hp advantage over the Monterey 250 CR 2008'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 278SC 2009 carries 89 gallons versus 77 gallons in the Monterey 250 CR 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Monterey 250 CR 2008 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Monterey 278SC 2009 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Monterey 278SC 2009 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Monterey 250 CR 2008 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeMonterey

Model250 CR

Model278SC

Model Year2008

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise21℃

Weight - Detail6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg)

Weight - Detail5,600 lbs. (2,540 kg)

Weight - kg2766.91

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.6100

Weight - lbs.5600

Length - Meters8.2

Length - Meters8.8

Length - Feet27

Length - Feet28

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 0 in. (8.2 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.8 m)

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 0 in. (8.2 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters8.23

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches324

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m) 8 ft. 7 in. (2.62 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.62

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches103

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches37

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches10

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi DP 270 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 300 hp 5.7 Gi DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detail77 gal. (292 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail89 gal. (337 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters291.48

Fuel tank capacity - Liters336.9

Fuel tank capacity - Gal77

Fuel tank capacity - Gal89

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Engine max320 hp (238.6 kW)

Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed

Headnot available

Sleeping capacity4

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water heater capacity6 gal. (22 l)

Water heater capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail16 gal. (61 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters79.49

Holding tank capacity - Liters60.57

Holding tank capacity - Gal21

Holding tank capacity - Gal16

Headroomnot available

HeadroomMaximum: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m)

Monterey 250 CR 2008 vs Monterey 278SC 2009 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 250 CR 2008 or the Monterey 278SC 2009?

The Monterey 278SC 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Monterey 250 CR 2008 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 250 CR 2008 or the Monterey 278SC 2009?

For trailering, the Monterey 278SC 2009 has the edge at 5 600 lbs dry weight versus 6 100 lbs for the Monterey 250 CR 2008. 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 278SC 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 250 CR 2008 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 250 CR 2008 carry?

The Monterey 250 CR 2008 has an official capacity rating of 8 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 250 CR 2008 and Monterey 278SC 2009 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 250 CR 2008 or the Monterey 278SC 2009?

The Monterey 278SC 2009 has the bigger tank at 89 gallons, versus 77 gallons on the Monterey 250 CR 2008. That 12-gallon difference translates to roughly 36–60 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 250 CR 2008 and Monterey 278SC 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 250 CR 2008 and the Monterey 278SC 2009 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 250 CR 2008 full specs ← Monterey 278SC 2009 full specs