Boat & Sail

Builder · Mid · Williston, Florida

Monterey

Florida mid-tier sport boat builder, 1985-founded. Family-held throughout. Bowriders, sport cruisers, and the Super Sport SS line.

Monterey bowrider at cruise
Founded
1985
Headquarters
Williston, Florida
Ownership
Private, family-held
Tier
Mid
Website
montereyboats.com

Monterey is the family-held mid-tier sport-boat builder from Williston, Florida. Founded in 1985, the brand has stayed family-owned throughout. The lineup runs from the M-205 entry bowrider through the M-65 sport-cruiser flagship.

The brand argument is family-held production discipline at mid-tier pricing. Monterey hulls run 5 to 12 percent below Sea Ray and Four Winns equivalents while maintaining a similar build tier. Mercruiser sterndrive is the standard rigging.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Monterey M series (M-205 / M-225 / M-238 / M-258)

M is the volume bowrider line. Mercruiser 4.5L or 6.2L sterndrive. The M-225 is the volume seller.

Things we like

  • · Family-held build discipline above the volume mid-tier average
  • · Pricing 5 to 10 percent below Sea Ray SPX equivalents

Things we don't

  • · Smaller dealer footprint than Brunswick
  • · Resale runs at the mid-tier average, not premium

Monterey Super Sport (305SS / 325SS / 385SS)

SS is the sport-cruiser line. Twin Mercruiser sterndrive, full forward cabin with V-berth, mid-cabin convertible dinette.

Things we like

  • · Forward cabin gives genuine four-person overnight on a 32-foot hull
  • · Family-held build discipline shows in the resale floor

Things we don't

  • · Pricing pushes into Sea Ray Sundancer territory
  • · Smaller used market than the volume Sea Ray and Four Winns equivalents

Buyer's guide

The Monterey story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Monterey was founded in 1985 in Florida and has stayed family-held throughout. Production has stayed at the Williston, Florida facility, single-site.

The brand grew steadily through the 1990s and 2000s by undercutting volume mid-tier pricing while maintaining build quality. Ownership has stayed family-controlled.

Design philosophy

Monterey hulls run moderate-V (typically 19 to 21 degrees at the transom). Designed for inland and protected coastal use.

Mercruiser sterndrive is the dominant rigging. Mercury Verado outboard is available as a dealer option on select hulls.

Used-market notes and known issues

Mercruiser 4.5L and 6.2L sterndrive bellows tear on 2015+ hulls past five years.

Cushion vinyl on 2017 to 2019 hulls shows delamination in sun-heavy markets.

Family-held build discipline shows in the resale floor on clean hulls.

Dealer network smaller than Brunswick or Beneteau, concentrated in the Southeast.

Resale

Monterey holds resale slightly above the mid-tier average. Three-year depreciation runs 20 to 26 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 32 to 38 percent.

Where Monterey fits

Buyers cross-shop Monterey against Sea Ray, Chaparral, and Four Winns on the bowrider segment. The argument is the family-held build discipline at mid-tier pricing.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

How does Monterey compare to Sea Ray?
Pricing 5 to 10 percent below at equivalent LOA. Build tier comparable. Smaller dealer footprint. Cross-shop on dealer proximity.
What's the maintenance cost on an M-225?
Annual service on Mercruiser 6.2L sterndrive runs $1,200 to $1,800. Bottom paint $400 to $1,000. Storage $1,500 to $4,000. Insurance for a $75,000 hull runs $700 to $1,400.
Where are Montereys built?
Williston, Florida. Single-site, family-owned production.

Compare

Categories Monterey fits.

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