MONTEREY 234FS review
Yacht · 26 ft (8 m) · Ibiza
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- Monterey
- Model
- MONTEREY 234FS
- Length
- 26 ft (8 m)
- Guests
- 7
Verdict
The Monterey 234FS is a capable mid-2000s bowrider with strong all-around performance, sporty handling and a practical layout for day use. It feels more like a well-built family runabout than a luxury cruiser: competent, versatile and best suited to short outings, watersports and relaxed coastal trips.
Pros
- +Balanced hull suited to skiing, wakeboarding and family cruising
- +Good top-end performance with several engine options available
- +Compact size makes it easier to trailer and berth than larger deck boats
- +Useful cockpit layout with wraparound seating and aft sunpad
- +Generally solid fit and finish for its class
Cons
- −Limited overnight livability compared with cabin-equipped cruisers
- −Open bowrider design offers modest weather protection
- −Comfort is good for day boating but not spacious for long stays
- −Older examples may vary widely in condition and equipment
- −Fuel economy and maintenance depend heavily on engine and drive setup
The Monterey 234FS is a 24-foot-class bowrider aimed at owners who want sporty day-boating rather than a true cabin cruiser. Its layout is straightforward and familiar: open bow seating, a social cockpit, and a transom area that works well for watersports and anchoring. The design is practical rather than flashy, with the emphasis on usable space and easy movement around the boat.
On the water, the 234FS has a reputation for lively performance and confident handling for its size. Public test data on similar 234FS configurations shows strong speed potential, with top speeds ranging from around 40 mph to just over 50 mph depending on engine and drive package, while cruise efficiency varies significantly with power choice. That spread is typical for a boat of this era and type: the hull can feel energetic and responsive, but real-world performance depends heavily on the specific engine installed.
Comfort and livability are best described as good for day use, limited for overnighting. The boat is suited to a small group or family, and the cockpit arrangement is useful for social boating, but it is not a spacious cabin boat and the interior amenities are modest. In the used market, value is reasonable if the boat has been maintained well, but condition, engine hours, and drive service history matter more than model name alone.
Request offers
Find a boat