Monterey 263 EX 2008 vs Monterey 264FS 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 263 EX 2008 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

The Monterey 264FS 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,6 feet overall. The Monterey 263 EX 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 0,6 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 263 EX 2008 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

For trailering, the Monterey 264FS 2012 has the edge at 5 400 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 lbs for the Monterey 263 EX 2008. 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 264FS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 263 EX 2008 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 2008 carry?

The Monterey 263 EX 2008 has an official capacity rating of 8 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 263 EX 2008 and Monterey 264FS 2012 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 263 EX 2008 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

The Monterey 264FS 2012 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Monterey 263 EX 2008. 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 263 EX 2008 and Monterey 264FS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 263 EX 2008 and the Monterey 264FS 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 263 EX 2008 vs Monterey 264FS 2012

Monterey

Monterey 263 EX 2008

2008

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Monterey

Monterey 264FS 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 263 EX 2008 vs Monterey 264FS 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 263 EX 2008 is a modified-V design and the Monterey 264FS 2012 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 263 EX 2008 at 26,0 ft versus Monterey 264FS 2012 at 26,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 263 EX 2008 tips the scales at 5 600 lbs - 200 lbs more than the Monterey 264FS 2012 at 5 400 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 425 hp, the Monterey 264FS 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Monterey 263 EX 2008'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 264FS 2012 carries 80 gallons versus 60 gallons in the Monterey 263 EX 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Monterey 263 EX 2008 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Monterey 264FS 2012 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Monterey 264FS 2012 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Monterey 263 EX 2008 with its 375-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeMonterey

Model263 EX

Model264FS

Model Year2008

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise20℃

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

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,450 kg)

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - kg2449.4

Weight - lbs.5600

Weight - lbs.5400

Length - Meters8.1

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet26.58

Length - Inches5

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.1 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 7 in. (8.1 m)

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 5 in. (8.1 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters8.05

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches317

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.5 m) With Arch or Tower Folded: 6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches26

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches41

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 l SX 270 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (302.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)

Operational Info

HeadPorta-potti

Headnot available

Water capacity17 gal. (64 l)

Water capacity15 gal. (56.8 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail11 gal. (41.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal11

Monterey 263 EX 2008 vs Monterey 264FS 2012 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Monterey 263 EX 2008 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

The Monterey 264FS 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,6 feet overall. The Monterey 263 EX 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 0,6 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Monterey 263 EX 2008 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

For trailering, the Monterey 264FS 2012 has the edge at 5 400 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 lbs for the Monterey 263 EX 2008. 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 264FS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 263 EX 2008 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 2008 carry?

The Monterey 263 EX 2008 has an official capacity rating of 8 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 263 EX 2008 and Monterey 264FS 2012 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 263 EX 2008 or the Monterey 264FS 2012?

The Monterey 264FS 2012 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Monterey 263 EX 2008. 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 263 EX 2008 and Monterey 264FS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Monterey 263 EX 2008 and the Monterey 264FS 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 263 EX 2008 full specs ← Monterey 264FS 2012 full specs