The Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 vs Whittley Monterey 600 2007 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 - Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 at 19,0 ft versus Whittley Monterey 600 2007 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Whittley Monterey 600 2007 tips the scales at 3 350 lbs - 490 lbs less than the Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 at 2 860 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 220 hp, the Whittley Monterey 600 2007 has a 80-hp advantage over the Whittley Cruiser 550 2007's 140-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 30 gal and 29 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Whittley Monterey 600 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Whittley Monterey 600 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.