Shape Shifter
Monterey takes a functional, compact deck boat and adds style to create the impressive Monterey 220EX.
By Alan Jones
January 28, 2008
T
here used to be a time when deck boats had all the panache of a Ford Country Squire
station wagon, complete with roof rack and plastic wood panels on the side ... not exactly the kind
of vehicle that kids were clamoring to borrow to chauffer their dates to the prom. But somewhere
along the way, they began to acquire a little thing called style - something that's evident on the
Monterey 220EX as soon as you board the integrated swim platform.
The first thing you'll notice is the sport yacht-like features, such as the stern island sunpad, which has a flip-back extender sectional that creates enough room for adults to fully stretch out. Other big-boat features back here include the roomy flip-up transom trunk with a padded floor that's perfect for storing skis, lines, fenders and ski jackets. The boarding ladder is neatly tucked away under a hatch and cants off to the side to allow for use when the sunpad is extended. The walkthrough into the cockpit remains open, but inventive parents will undoubtedly find a way to keep toddlers from crawling aft the second they take their eyes off them.
Stepping into the cockpit, you immediately see a dry bar on the starboard side with a Corian surface that conveniently has a trashcan and a 48-quart Igloo cooler for refreshment storage. This 21.5-footer (counting swim platform) has a full 8-foot-6-inch beam for maximum cockpit room, and it features sport seating with a stern bench and twin bucket seats that swivel. Monterey allows you to customize the 220EX with options like snap-in carpeting ($615) and a cockpit table that can also be installed in the bow section ($631, including bow filler cushions). In the portside console is a standard portable head, but full-sized adults will probably only use it in an emergency.
Sliding into the helm seat puts you behind the distinctive sculpted racing wheel that can be optioned with tilt steering ($192). The test model has the upgraded Kenwood stereo that's Sirius-ready, and it also sports an MP3 player input. Despite not having a subwoofer, the four-speaker system is a rocker ($385). The optional Ritchie compass ($115) sits off to the side and is over the crest of the dashboard hump, making it a tough read for shorter drivers, but its position does cut down on annoying glare from your windshield. Like most boats in this class, there's no room on the dash for electronics, other than handheld models you can put in the cup holder or mount on a bracket. The bucket seats are the most comfortable in the house, with good lateral support and comfortable flip-up bolsters to get your face in the wind. At cruising speed, there seems to be some wind buffet in your ear on the passenger's side that isn't evident in the driver's seat for some unknown reason, but overall the windshield does a pretty good job of keeping cockpit passengers blast-free.
The deck-boat design gives you more room in the bow section than a bowrider, and Monterey uses this space well, with comfortable seating that has loads of legroom, and as an added bonus, large flip-down armrests in the center on both sides. Beach landings are easy with the flip-down boarding ladder at the bow, with room left over for an anchor and rode. The forward-facing recliner seats don't have a lot of backrest angle, which is the penalty you pay for added cockpit space and ample legroom up front.
Opening the engine hatch reveals a compartment with plenty of room for handling routine service of the 260-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser MPI that resides within. Although the 220EX is rated for up to 320 hp, the 5.0L is a good match for the 4,200-pound hull, which is indicative of the robust construction and contributes to its plush ride. Pushing the throttle forward generates a bit of bowrise, but the Monterey accelerates rapidly to plane in five seconds, and 30 mph isn't far behind, coming in at 2.5 more seconds. Top speed is nearly 48 mph, at which the 220EX drives like a champ. In fact, there's no planing speed that doesn't feel good on this boat, but 35 mph seems to be its happiest speed in terms of engine quietude. It will even stay on plane at 20 mph - the preferred speed for wakeboarders. For serious 'boarders, though, you can option the 220 with an eye-catching wakeboard tower ($2,900). The Monterey uses an Air-Assist Chine design to introduce air underneath the hull to reduce drag and enables the 220 to corner well. Hard turns are precise and linear with no sliding or abrupt digging. There's 18 degrees of deadrise at the stern, which gives the 220EX a good balance of wave-slicing ability without being too tippy.
The Verdict
The Monterey 220EX is a good-looking, good-running deck boat with lots of big-boat features, like the transom locker. The big sunpad and oversized swim platform whittle down available space in the cockpit, and carpeting costs extra. Seating throughout is comfortable, especially in the bucket seats.
Monterey 220EX
LOA 21'6"
Beam 8'6"
Weight 4,200 lbs.
Fuel 50 gal.
Top Speed 47.8 mph
(w/260-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser MPI w/Bravo Three outdrive)
Time To Plane 5 seconds
0-30 mph 7.5 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 63 dB-A
Decibels @ 30 mph 84 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 93 dB-A
Base Price $42,777
(w/220-hp, 5.0L Volvo Penta GL)
Price As Tested $53,127
(w/260-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser MPI w/Bravo Three outdrive)
Hull Warranty Limited Lifetime
Monterey Boats
1579 S.W. 18th St.
Williston, FL 32696
(352) 528-2628
www.montereyboats.com
The first thing you'll notice is the sport yacht-like features, such as the stern island sunpad, which has a flip-back extender sectional that creates enough room for adults to fully stretch out. Other big-boat features back here include the roomy flip-up transom trunk with a padded floor that's perfect for storing skis, lines, fenders and ski jackets. The boarding ladder is neatly tucked away under a hatch and cants off to the side to allow for use when the sunpad is extended. The walkthrough into the cockpit remains open, but inventive parents will undoubtedly find a way to keep toddlers from crawling aft the second they take their eyes off them.
Stepping into the cockpit, you immediately see a dry bar on the starboard side with a Corian surface that conveniently has a trashcan and a 48-quart Igloo cooler for refreshment storage. This 21.5-footer (counting swim platform) has a full 8-foot-6-inch beam for maximum cockpit room, and it features sport seating with a stern bench and twin bucket seats that swivel. Monterey allows you to customize the 220EX with options like snap-in carpeting ($615) and a cockpit table that can also be installed in the bow section ($631, including bow filler cushions). In the portside console is a standard portable head, but full-sized adults will probably only use it in an emergency.
Sliding into the helm seat puts you behind the distinctive sculpted racing wheel that can be optioned with tilt steering ($192). The test model has the upgraded Kenwood stereo that's Sirius-ready, and it also sports an MP3 player input. Despite not having a subwoofer, the four-speaker system is a rocker ($385). The optional Ritchie compass ($115) sits off to the side and is over the crest of the dashboard hump, making it a tough read for shorter drivers, but its position does cut down on annoying glare from your windshield. Like most boats in this class, there's no room on the dash for electronics, other than handheld models you can put in the cup holder or mount on a bracket. The bucket seats are the most comfortable in the house, with good lateral support and comfortable flip-up bolsters to get your face in the wind. At cruising speed, there seems to be some wind buffet in your ear on the passenger's side that isn't evident in the driver's seat for some unknown reason, but overall the windshield does a pretty good job of keeping cockpit passengers blast-free.
The deck-boat design gives you more room in the bow section than a bowrider, and Monterey uses this space well, with comfortable seating that has loads of legroom, and as an added bonus, large flip-down armrests in the center on both sides. Beach landings are easy with the flip-down boarding ladder at the bow, with room left over for an anchor and rode. The forward-facing recliner seats don't have a lot of backrest angle, which is the penalty you pay for added cockpit space and ample legroom up front.
Opening the engine hatch reveals a compartment with plenty of room for handling routine service of the 260-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser MPI that resides within. Although the 220EX is rated for up to 320 hp, the 5.0L is a good match for the 4,200-pound hull, which is indicative of the robust construction and contributes to its plush ride. Pushing the throttle forward generates a bit of bowrise, but the Monterey accelerates rapidly to plane in five seconds, and 30 mph isn't far behind, coming in at 2.5 more seconds. Top speed is nearly 48 mph, at which the 220EX drives like a champ. In fact, there's no planing speed that doesn't feel good on this boat, but 35 mph seems to be its happiest speed in terms of engine quietude. It will even stay on plane at 20 mph - the preferred speed for wakeboarders. For serious 'boarders, though, you can option the 220 with an eye-catching wakeboard tower ($2,900). The Monterey uses an Air-Assist Chine design to introduce air underneath the hull to reduce drag and enables the 220 to corner well. Hard turns are precise and linear with no sliding or abrupt digging. There's 18 degrees of deadrise at the stern, which gives the 220EX a good balance of wave-slicing ability without being too tippy.
The Verdict
The Monterey 220EX is a good-looking, good-running deck boat with lots of big-boat features, like the transom locker. The big sunpad and oversized swim platform whittle down available space in the cockpit, and carpeting costs extra. Seating throughout is comfortable, especially in the bucket seats.
Monterey 220EX
LOA 21'6"
Beam 8'6"
Weight 4,200 lbs.
Fuel 50 gal.
Top Speed 47.8 mph
(w/260-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser MPI w/Bravo Three outdrive)
Time To Plane 5 seconds
0-30 mph 7.5 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 63 dB-A
Decibels @ 30 mph 84 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 93 dB-A
Base Price $42,777
(w/220-hp, 5.0L Volvo Penta GL)
Price As Tested $53,127
(w/260-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser MPI w/Bravo Three outdrive)
Hull Warranty Limited Lifetime
Monterey Boats
1579 S.W. 18th St.
Williston, FL 32696
(352) 528-2628
www.montereyboats.com
related articles:
Shape Shifter: Are you searching for a good-looking, good-running deck boat with lots of big-boat features? With Monterey's new 220EX, you're in luck.Polar Express: If offshore fishing is your cup of tea, upgrade to Polar's stylish 2700 Walkaround and experience fishing on a new level.
