Monterey 263 EX 2007 vs Monterey 288SS 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 263 EX 2007 or the Monterey 288SS 2013?

The Monterey 288SS 2013 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Monterey 263 EX 2007 comes in at 24,0 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 263 EX 2007 or the Monterey 288SS 2013?

For trailering, the Monterey 263 EX 2007 has the edge at 5 600 lbs dry weight versus 7 100 lbs for the Monterey 288SS 2013. 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 288SS 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 263 EX 2007 tops out at 375 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 EX 2007 carry?

The Monterey 263 EX 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Monterey 288SS 2013 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Monterey 263 EX 2007. 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 263 EX 2007 or the Monterey 288SS 2013?

The Monterey 288SS 2013 has the bigger tank at 100 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Monterey 263 EX 2007. That 40-gallon difference translates to roughly 120–200 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 263 EX 2007 and Monterey 288SS 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 263 EX 2007 and the Monterey 288SS 2013 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 263 EX 2007 vs Monterey 288SS 2013

Monterey

Monterey 263 EX 2007

2007

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Monterey

Monterey 288SS 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 263 EX 2007 vs Monterey 288SS 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 263 EX 2007 vs Monterey 288SS 2013 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 288SS 2013 measures 29,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Monterey 263 EX 2007 at 24,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 288SS 2013 tips the scales at 7 100 lbs - 1 500 lbs less than the Monterey 263 EX 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 430 hp, the Monterey 288SS 2013 has a 55-hp advantage over the Monterey 263 EX 2007's 375-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 288SS 2013 carries 100 gallons versus 60 gallons in the Monterey 263 EX 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Monterey 263 EX 2007 is rated for up to 7 people. Passenger data for the Monterey 288SS 2013 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Monterey 288SS 2013 at 29,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Monterey 263 EX 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

Model263 EX

Model288SS

Model Year2007

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam9 ft. (2.7 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches108

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise21℃

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.64

Draft [drive up] inches25

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches37

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

Weight - Detail7,100 lbs. (3,221 kg)

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - kg3220.5

Weight - lbs.5600

Weight - lbs.7100

Length - Meters7.33

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet29

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

Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. (8.8 m)

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

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters7.32

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches288

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi SX

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (226 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (378.5 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60

Fuel tank capacity - Gal100

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Engine max375 hp

Engine max430 hp (320.7 kW)

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed, porta-potti

Headnot available

Water capacity17 gal. (64 l)

Water capacity11 gal. (41.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail2 gal. (7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters7.57

Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Holding tank capacity - Gal18

Monterey 263 EX 2007 vs Monterey 288SS 2013 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 263 EX 2007 or the Monterey 288SS 2013?

The Monterey 288SS 2013 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Monterey 263 EX 2007 comes in at 24,0 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 263 EX 2007 or the Monterey 288SS 2013?

For trailering, the Monterey 263 EX 2007 has the edge at 5 600 lbs dry weight versus 7 100 lbs for the Monterey 288SS 2013. 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 288SS 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 263 EX 2007 tops out at 375 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 EX 2007 carry?

The Monterey 263 EX 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Monterey 288SS 2013 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Monterey 263 EX 2007. 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 263 EX 2007 or the Monterey 288SS 2013?

The Monterey 288SS 2013 has the bigger tank at 100 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Monterey 263 EX 2007. That 40-gallon difference translates to roughly 120–200 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 263 EX 2007 and Monterey 288SS 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 263 EX 2007 and the Monterey 288SS 2013 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 263 EX 2007 full specs ← Monterey 288SS 2013 full specs