Monterey 254 FS 2008 vs Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 254 FS 2008 or the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006?

The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 is the longer of the two at 31,0 feet overall. The Monterey 254 FS 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 254 FS 2008 or the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006?

For trailering, the Monterey 254 FS 2008 has the edge at 5 200 lbs dry weight versus 10 000 lbs for the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006. 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 254 FS 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 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.

Q: How many passengers can the Monterey 254 FS 2008 carry?

The Monterey 254 FS 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 measures 123" wide, compared to 102" for the Monterey 254 FS 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Monterey 254 FS 2008 or the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006?

The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 has the bigger tank at 142 gallons, versus 80 gallons on the Monterey 254 FS 2008. That 62-gallon difference translates to roughly 186–310 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 254 FS 2008 and Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 254 FS 2008 and the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 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 254 FS 2008 vs Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006

Monterey

Monterey 254 FS 2008

2008

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Monterey

Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 254 FS 2008 vs Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 254 FS 2008 vs Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 measures 31,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Monterey 254 FS 2008 at 26,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 tips the scales at 10 000 lbs - 4 800 lbs less than the Monterey 254 FS 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 254 FS 2008 has a 125-hp advantage over the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006'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 290 Cruiser 2006 carries 142 gallons versus 80 gallons in the Monterey 254 FS 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Monterey 254 FS 2008 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 at 31,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Monterey 254 FS 2008 at 26,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking - a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeMonterey

Model254 FS

Model290 Cruiser

Model Year2008

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam10 ft. 3 in. (3.13 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters3.12

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches123

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise19℃

Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,359 kg)

Weight - Detail10,000 lbs. (4,540 kg)

Weight - kg2358.68

Weight - kg4535.92

Weight - lbs.5200

Weight - lbs.10000

Length - Meters8.1

Length - Meters9.57

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet31

Length - Inches7

Length - Inches4

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 7 in. (8.1 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters8.1

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches319

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 11 in. (3.03 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters3.02

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches119

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (54 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches37

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]31 ft. 4 in. (9.57 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 l SX 300hp

Engine/s standardVolvo Twin 4.3 GXi DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail142 gal. (537 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters537.53

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Fuel tank capacity - Gal142

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)

Engine maxT-300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacity38 gal. (144 l)

Holding tank capacity - DetailVacuum flush: 9 gal. (45 l); Optional manual flush: 12 gal. (34 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters45.42

Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal12

Holding tank capacity - Gal18

Monterey 254 FS 2008 vs Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 254 FS 2008 or the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006?

The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 is the longer of the two at 31,0 feet overall. The Monterey 254 FS 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 254 FS 2008 or the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006?

For trailering, the Monterey 254 FS 2008 has the edge at 5 200 lbs dry weight versus 10 000 lbs for the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006. 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 254 FS 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 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 passengers can the Monterey 254 FS 2008 carry?

The Monterey 254 FS 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 measures 123" wide, compared to 102" for the Monterey 254 FS 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Monterey 254 FS 2008 or the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006?

The Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 has the bigger tank at 142 gallons, versus 80 gallons on the Monterey 254 FS 2008. That 62-gallon difference translates to roughly 186–310 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 254 FS 2008 and Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 254 FS 2008 and the Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 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 254 FS 2008 full specs ← Monterey 290 Cruiser 2006 full specs