Monterey 260SCR 2012 vs Monterey 263 ES 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 260SCR 2012 or the Monterey 263 ES 2007?

The Monterey 260SCR 2012 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The Monterey 263 ES 2007 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 3,5 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 260SCR 2012 or the Monterey 263 ES 2007?

For trailering, the Monterey 263 ES 2007 has the edge at 5 600 lbs dry weight versus 7 200 lbs for the Monterey 260SCR 2012. 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 263 ES 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 260SCR 2012 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: How many passengers can the Monterey 263 ES 2007 carry?

The Monterey 263 ES 2007 has an official capacity rating of 7 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison - verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Monterey 260SCR 2012 and Monterey 263 ES 2007 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Monterey 260SCR 2012 or the Monterey 263 ES 2007?

The Monterey 260SCR 2012 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Monterey 263 ES 2007. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 260SCR 2012 and Monterey 263 ES 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 260SCR 2012 and the Monterey 263 ES 2007 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 2012 vs Monterey 263 ES 2007

Monterey

Monterey 260SCR 2012

2012

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Monterey

Monterey 263 ES 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 260SCR 2012 vs Monterey 263 ES 2007: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 260SCR 2012 vs Monterey 263 ES 2007 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 260SCR 2012 measures 27,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Monterey 263 ES 2007 at 24,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 260SCR 2012 tips the scales at 7 200 lbs - 1 600 lbs more than the Monterey 263 ES 2007 at 5 600 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 375 hp, the Monterey 263 ES 2007 has a 55-hp advantage over the Monterey 260SCR 2012'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 260SCR 2012 carries 80 gallons versus 60 gallons in the Monterey 263 ES 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Monterey 260SCR 2012 at 27,5 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Monterey 263 ES 2007 at 24,0 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

Model260SCR

Model263 ES

Model Year2012

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 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℃

Deadrise19℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] meters0.64

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [drive up] inches25

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

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters1.02

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches40

Draft [max] - Inches38

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

Weight - Detail5,600 lbs. (2,542 kg)

Weight - kg3265.86

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.7200

Weight - lbs.5600

Length - Feet27.5

Length - Feet24

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.07 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.33

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.33 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters7.32

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches288

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (302.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (226 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Engine max320 hp (238.6 kW)

Engine max375 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi SX

Operational Info

Headroom6 ft. (1.83 m)

Headroomnot available

Water capacity25 gal. (94.64 l)

Water capacity18 gal. (68 l)

Water heater capacity6 gal. (22.7 l)

Water heater capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68.14 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail17 gal. (64 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14

Holding tank capacity - Liters64.35

Holding tank capacity - Gal18

Holding tank capacity - Gal17

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed, porta-potti

Monterey 260SCR 2012 vs Monterey 263 ES 2007 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 260SCR 2012 or the Monterey 263 ES 2007?

The Monterey 260SCR 2012 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The Monterey 263 ES 2007 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 3,5 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 260SCR 2012 or the Monterey 263 ES 2007?

For trailering, the Monterey 263 ES 2007 has the edge at 5 600 lbs dry weight versus 7 200 lbs for the Monterey 260SCR 2012. 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 263 ES 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 260SCR 2012 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.

How many passengers can the Monterey 263 ES 2007 carry?

The Monterey 263 ES 2007 has an official capacity rating of 7 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison - verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Monterey 260SCR 2012 and Monterey 263 ES 2007 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Monterey 260SCR 2012 or the Monterey 263 ES 2007?

The Monterey 260SCR 2012 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Monterey 263 ES 2007. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 260SCR 2012 and Monterey 263 ES 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 260SCR 2012 and the Monterey 263 ES 2007 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 2012 full specs ← Monterey 263 ES 2007 full specs