Monterey 278 SS 2020 vs Monterey 318SSX 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 278 SS 2020 or the Monterey 318SSX 2010?

The Monterey 318SSX 2010 is the longer of the two at 31,8 feet overall. The Monterey 278 SS 2020 comes in at 26,8 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 278 SS 2020 or the Monterey 318SSX 2010?

For trailering, the Monterey 318SSX 2010 has the edge at 8 lbs dry weight versus 5 500 lbs for the Monterey 278 SS 2020. 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 278 SS 2020 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 318SSX 2010 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 278 SS 2020 carry?

The Monterey 278 SS 2020 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Monterey 318SSX 2010 measures 114" wide, compared to 103" for the Monterey 278 SS 2020. 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 278 SS 2020 or the Monterey 318SSX 2010?

The Monterey 318SSX 2010 has the bigger tank at 142 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Monterey 278 SS 2020. That 134-gallon difference translates to roughly 402–670 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Monterey 278 SS 2020 and Monterey 318SSX 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 278 SS 2020 and the Monterey 318SSX 2010 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 278 SS 2020 vs Monterey 318SSX 2010

Monterey

Monterey 278 SS 2020

2020

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Monterey

Monterey 318SSX 2010

2010

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monterey 278 SS 2020 vs Monterey 318SSX 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monterey 278 SS 2020 vs Monterey 318SSX 2010 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 318SSX 2010 measures 31,8 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Monterey 278 SS 2020 at 26,8 feet (2020). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Monterey 278 SS 2020 tips the scales at 5 500 lbs — 5 492 lbs more than the Monterey 318SSX 2010 at 8 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 278 SS 2020 has a 110-hp advantage over the Monterey 318SSX 2010'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 318SSX 2010 carries 142 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Monterey 278 SS 2020. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Monterey 278 SS 2020 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Monterey 318SSX 2010 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Monterey 318SSX 2010 at 31,8 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Monterey 278 SS 2020 at 26,8 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.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail26.80 ft

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length - Feet26.8

Length - Feet31.83

Length overall - Meters8.17

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches322

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Beam8.60 ft

Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)

Beam - Meters2.62

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Inches103

Beam - Inches114

Draft [max] - Detail4.00 ft

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91.4 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters1.22

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches48

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft Min2.50 ft

Draft Minnot available

Displacement5500.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. (2.4 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches96

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise22℃

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches24

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail8,000 lbs. (3,629 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg3628.74

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.8

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]31 ft. 10 in. (9.7 m)

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal142

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters537.53

Engine makeYamaha

Engine makenot available

Horsepower430 hp

Horsepowernot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeoutboard

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail142 gal. (538 l)

Engine maxnot available

Engine maxT-320 hp (T-238.6 kW)

Operational Info

Head1

Headnot available

Water capacity15

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Holding tank capacity - Gal11

Holding tank capacity - Gal18

Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64

Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14

Boat typePower

Boat typenot available

Headroomnot available

Headroom4 ft. 9 in. (1.4 m)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)

General Boat Info

Makenot available

MakeMonterey

Modelnot available

Model318SSX

Model Yearnot available

Model Year201

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Monterey 278 SS 2020 vs Monterey 318SSX 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Monterey 278 SS 2020 or the Monterey 318SSX 2010?

The Monterey 318SSX 2010 is the longer of the two at 31,8 feet overall. The Monterey 278 SS 2020 comes in at 26,8 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 278 SS 2020 or the Monterey 318SSX 2010?

For trailering, the Monterey 318SSX 2010 has the edge at 8 lbs dry weight versus 5 500 lbs for the Monterey 278 SS 2020. 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 278 SS 2020 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monterey 318SSX 2010 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 278 SS 2020 carry?

The Monterey 278 SS 2020 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Monterey 318SSX 2010 measures 114" wide, compared to 103" for the Monterey 278 SS 2020. 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 278 SS 2020 or the Monterey 318SSX 2010?

The Monterey 318SSX 2010 has the bigger tank at 142 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Monterey 278 SS 2020. That 134-gallon difference translates to roughly 402–670 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Monterey 278 SS 2020 and Monterey 318SSX 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monterey 278 SS 2020 and the Monterey 318SSX 2010 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 278 SS 2020 full specs ← Monterey 318SSX 2010 full specs