Both the Monterey 250CR 2009 and the Monterey 254FSX 2008 are modified-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 250CR 2009 at 27,0 ft versus Monterey 254FSX 2008 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 250CR 2009 tips the scales at 6 100 lbs - 900 lbs more than the Monterey 254FSX 2008 at 5 200 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 105-hp advantage over the Monterey 250CR 2009'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 - 77 gal and 80 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Monterey 254FSX 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Monterey 250CR 2009 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.