Monterey 260SCR 2011 vs Monterey M5 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 260SCR 2011 or the Monterey M5 2012?

The Monterey 260SCR 2011 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The Monterey M5 2012 comes in at 25,8 feet, making it roughly 1,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Monterey 260SCR 2011 or the Monterey M5 2012?

For trailering, the Monterey M5 2012 has the edge at 52 lbs dry weight versus 72 lbs for the Monterey 260SCR 2011. 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 M5 2012 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 260SCR 2011 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 2011 and Monterey M5 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Monterey 260SCR 2011 and Monterey M5 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Monterey 260SCR 2011 and Monterey M5 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 260SCR 2011 and the Monterey M5 2012 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 2011 vs Monterey M5 2012

Monterey

Monterey 260SCR 2011

2011

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Monterey

Monterey M5 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 260SCR 2011 vs Monterey M5 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Monterey 260SCR 2011 against a deep vee Monterey M5 2012 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 260SCR 2011 at 27,5 ft versus Monterey M5 2012 at 25,8 ft. At 72 lbs and 52 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Monterey M5 2012 has a 105-hp advantage over the Monterey 260SCR 2011'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 — 8 gal and 8 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Monterey M5 2012 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Monterey 260SCR 2011 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeMonterey

Model260SCR

ModelM5

Model Year2011

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise20°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in. (0.66 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [drive up] inches26

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

Draft [max] - Detail41 in. (1.04 m)

Draft [max] - Meters1.02

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inches4

Draft [max] - Inches41

Weight - Detail7,200 lbs. (3,266 kg)

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

Weight - kg3265.86

Weight - kg2358.68

Weight - lbs.72

Weight - lbs.52

Length - Feet27.5

Length - Feet25.83

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

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 10 in. (7.9 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (302.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Engine max320 hp (238.6 kW)

Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)

Operational Info

Headroom6 ft. (1.83 m)

Headroomnot available

Water capacity25 gal. (94.64 l)

Water capacity15 gal. (56.8 l)

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

Holding tank capacity - Detail11 gal. (41.6 l) Manual: 12 gal. (45.42 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters79.49

Holding tank capacity - Liters45.42

Holding tank capacity - Gal21

Holding tank capacity - Gal12

Monterey 260SCR 2011 vs Monterey M5 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 260SCR 2011 or the Monterey M5 2012?

The Monterey 260SCR 2011 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The Monterey M5 2012 comes in at 25,8 feet, making it roughly 1,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Monterey 260SCR 2011 or the Monterey M5 2012?

For trailering, the Monterey M5 2012 has the edge at 52 lbs dry weight versus 72 lbs for the Monterey 260SCR 2011. 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 M5 2012 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 260SCR 2011 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 2011 and Monterey M5 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Monterey 260SCR 2011 and Monterey M5 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Monterey 260SCR 2011 and Monterey M5 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 260SCR 2011 and the Monterey M5 2012 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 2011 full specs ← Monterey M5 2012 full specs