Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Monterey 278SS 2009 vs Monterey Elite 27 OB 2020 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Monterey 278SS 2009 vs Monterey Elite 27 OB 2020 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 425 hp, the Monterey 278SS 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the Monterey Elite 27 OB 2020's 400-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 278SS 2009 carries 89 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Monterey Elite 27 OB 2020. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Monterey 278SS 2009 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Monterey Elite 27 OB 2020 with its 400-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeMonterey
Makenot available
Model278SS
Modelnot available
Model Year2009
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam8.10 ft
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.47
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches97
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m) 8 ft. 7 in. (2.62 m) with arch
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.62
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches103
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise21℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail3.60 ft
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters1.1
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches43
Weight - Detail5,500 lbs. (2,495 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg2494.76
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.55
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Meters8.8
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet27.8
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.8 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail27.80 ft
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters8.47
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches334
Draft Minnot available
Draft Min1.80 ft
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 300 hp 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail89 gal. (337 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters336.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Gal89
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeoutboard
Engine max425 hp (316.9 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower400 hp
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeVOLVO PENTA
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower380 hp
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Operational Info
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity8
Holding tank capacity - Detail16 gal. (61 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters60.57
Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64
Holding tank capacity - Gal16
Holding tank capacity - Gal11
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower