Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Monterey 278 SS 2020 vs Monterey 385 SE 2022 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Monterey 278 SS 2020 vs Monterey 385 SE 2022 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 430 hp, the Monterey 278 SS 2020 has a 130-hp advantage over the Monterey 385 SE 2022's 300-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 385 SE 2022 carries 25 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Monterey 385 SE 2022 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Monterey 278 SS 2020 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Monterey 385 SE 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Monterey 385 SE 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 37,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Monterey 278 SS 2020 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 - Detail26.80 ft
Length overall - Detail37.00 ft
Length - Feet26.8
Length - Feet37
Length overall - Meters8.17
Length overall - Meters11.28
Length overall - Inches322
Length overall - Inches444
Beam - Meters2.62
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches103
Beam - Inches132
Draft [max] - Detail4.00 ft
Draft [max] - Detail3.10 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.22
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches48
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft Min2.50 ft
Draft Min2.17 ft
Displacement5500.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Engine makeYamaha
Engine makeYamaha
Horsepower430 hp
Horsepower300 hp
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeoutboard
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeYamaha
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Engine 3 Engine Makenot available
Engine 3 Engine MakeYamaha
Engine 3 Horsepowernot available
Engine 3 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 3 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 3 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 3 Drive Typenot available
Engine 3 Drive Typeoutboard
Operational Info
Water capacity15
Water capacity49
Holding tank capacity - Gal11
Holding tank capacity - Gal28
Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64
Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity2
Cabinsnot available
Cabins1