Monterey 270 CR 2007 boat specs
Monterey
Monterey 270 CR 2007
2007
View full specs →
VS
Monterey 278SS 2008 boat specs
Monterey
Monterey 278SS 2008
2008
View full specs →

Monterey 270 CR 2007 vs Monterey 278SS 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 270 CR 2007 vs Monterey 278SS 2008 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Monterey 270 CR 2007 at 26,0 ft versus Monterey 278SS 2008 at 28,0 ft. At 74 lbs and 55 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 425 hp for the Monterey 270 CR 2007 and 425 hp for the Monterey 278SS 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 89 gal and 89 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Monterey 270 CR 2007 and Monterey 278SS 2008 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeMonterey
MakeMonterey
Model270 CR
Model278SS
Model Year2007
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 9 in. (2.98 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.97
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches117
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail7,400 lbs. (3,359 kg)
Weight - Detail5,500 lbs. (2,495 kg)
Weight - kg3356.58
Weight - kg2494.76
Weight - lbs.74
Weight - lbs.55
Length - Meters8.22
Length - Meters8.8
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet28
Length - Inches11
Length - Inches1
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 0 in. (8.85 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 11 in. (8.22 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 10 in. (8.8 m)
Length overall - Meters8.2
Length overall - Meters8.79
Length overall - Inches323
Length overall - Inches346
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardMerc 350MAG BRIII 300 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail89 gal. (336 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail89 gal. (337 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters336.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters336.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal89
Fuel tank capacity - Gal89
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine max425 hp
Engine max425 hp (316 kW)
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed
Headnot available
HeadroomFull-size
Headroomnot available
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water heater capacity6 gal. (22 l)
Water heater capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 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 270 CR 2007 vs Monterey 278SS 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 270 CR 2007 or the Monterey 278SS 2008?
The Monterey 278SS 2008 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Monterey 270 CR 2007 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Monterey 270 CR 2007 or the Monterey 278SS 2008?
For trailering, the Monterey 278SS 2008 has the edge at 55 lbs dry weight versus 74 lbs for the Monterey 270 CR 2007. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Monterey 270 CR 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Monterey 278SS 2008 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Monterey 270 CR 2007 and Monterey 278SS 2008 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Monterey 270 CR 2007 and Monterey 278SS 2008?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 89 gallons and 89 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 270 CR 2007 and Monterey 278SS 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Monterey 270 CR 2007 and the Monterey 278SS 2008 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.