Monterey 276 1995 boat specs
Monterey
Monterey 276 1995
1995
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VS
Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 boat specs
Monterey
Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003
2003
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Monterey 276 1995 vs Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 276 1995 vs Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 360 hp, the Monterey 276 1995 has a 80-hp advantage over the Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003's 280-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Monterey 276 1995 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Monterey 276 1995 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail29.00 ft
Length overall - Detail32.60 ft
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet32.6
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters9.94
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches391
Beam9.51 ft
Beam10.60 ft
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Meters3.23
Beam - Inches114
Beam - Inches127
Draft [max] - Detail2.60 ft
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Displacementnot available
Displacement3.10 lbs
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Horsepower360 hp
Horsepower280 hp
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeinboard
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Engine modelnot available
Engine model5.0 GXI-B
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo Penta
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Engine Model5.0 GXI-B
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower280 hp
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity4
Sleeping capacity4
Cabins2
Cabins1
Head1
Head1
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity45
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal28
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99
Performance
Cruising speednot available
Cruising speed1.9
Cruising speed measurenot available
Cruising speed measureknots

Monterey 276 1995 vs Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 276 1995 or the Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003?
The Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 is the longer of the two at 32,6 feet overall. The Monterey 276 1995 comes in at 29,0 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Monterey 276 1995 is rated to a maximum of 360 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 tops out at 280 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 people can each boat hold?
The Monterey 276 1995 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 is certified for 9. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 measures 127" wide, compared to 114" for the Monterey 276 1995. 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.
Are the Monterey 276 1995 and Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Monterey 276 1995 and the Monterey 302 Cruiser 2003 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.