Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Monterey 254FSX 2008 vs Monterey 280SY 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Monterey 254FSX 2008 against a deep vee Monterey 280SY 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 254FSX 2008 at 26,0 ft versus Monterey 280SY 2013 at 29,0 ft. At 52 lbs and 82 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 425 hp for the Monterey 254FSX 2008 and 425 hp for the Monterey 280SY 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 8 gal and 9 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
The Monterey 254FSX 2008 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Monterey 280SY 2013 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Monterey 280SY 2013 at 29,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Monterey 254FSX 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
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.8 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches11
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise17℃
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,359 kg)
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,719 kg)
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - lbs.52
Weight - lbs.82
Length - Meters8.1
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet29
Length - Inches7
Length - Inchesnot available
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 - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. 11 in. (2.72 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.72
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches107
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail29 in. (74 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.74
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches29
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail42 in. (107 cm)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters1.07
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches42
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. (8.8 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 l SX 300 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal. (341 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)
Engine max425 hp (317 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)
Holding tank capacity - DetailVacuum flush: 9 gal. (45 l);
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68.14 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters34.07
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Gal9
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 1 in. (1.85 m)
Water heater capacitynot available
Water heater capacity6 gal. (22.7 l)