Monterey 260SCR 2009 vs Monterey 278SC 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 260SCR 2009 or the Monterey 278SC 2010?

The Monterey 278SC 2010 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Monterey 260SCR 2009 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Monterey 278SC 2010 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 260SCR 2009 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Monterey 260SCR 2009 and Monterey 278SC 2010 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 260SCR 2009 or the Monterey 278SC 2010?

The Monterey 278SC 2010 has the bigger tank at 89 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Monterey 260SCR 2009. That 81-gallon difference translates to roughly 243–405 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 260SCR 2009 and Monterey 278SC 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 260SCR 2009 and the Monterey 278SC 2010 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 260SCR 2009 vs Monterey 278SC 2010

Monterey

Monterey 260SCR 2009

2009

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Monterey

Monterey 278SC 2010

2010

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 260SCR 2009 vs Monterey 278SC 2010 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Monterey 260SCR 2009 and the Monterey 278SC 2010 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Monterey 278SC 2010 has a 105-hp advantage over the Monterey 260SCR 2009'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 2010 carries 89 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Monterey 260SCR 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Monterey 278SC 2010 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Monterey 260SCR 2009 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeMonterey

Model260SCR

Model278SC

Model Year2009

Model Year201

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Arch: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m) With Arch Up: 8 ft. 7 in. (2.62 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Meters2.62

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Bridge clearance - Inches103

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise21°

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in. (68.58 cm)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (101.6 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters1.02

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches4

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - DetailTBD

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

Length - Meters8.4

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet27

Length - Feet28.83

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 6 in. (8.4 m)

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

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.56

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 300 hp 5.7 Gi DP

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (302.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail89 gal. (337 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters336.9

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal89

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Engine max320 hp (238.6 kW)

Engine max425 hp (316.8 kW)

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed

Headnot available

HeadroomMaximum: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m)

Headroom4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m)

Water capacity25 gal. (94.64 l)

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water heater capacity6 gal. (22 l)

Water heater capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - DetailManual: 21 gal. (79.49 l) VacuFlush: 18 gal. (68.14 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

Monterey 260SCR 2009 vs Monterey 278SC 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 260SCR 2009 or the Monterey 278SC 2010?

The Monterey 278SC 2010 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Monterey 260SCR 2009 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Monterey 278SC 2010 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 260SCR 2009 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Monterey 260SCR 2009 and Monterey 278SC 2010 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 260SCR 2009 or the Monterey 278SC 2010?

The Monterey 278SC 2010 has the bigger tank at 89 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Monterey 260SCR 2009. That 81-gallon difference translates to roughly 243–405 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 260SCR 2009 and Monterey 278SC 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 260SCR 2009 and the Monterey 278SC 2010 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 260SCR 2009 full specs ← Monterey 278SC 2010 full specs