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
