Stands out from the crowd.
By Cam McRae
Twenty-two, twenty-three foot sport boats comprise the most competitive segment in the recreational marine market. If a boat is to shine in this league, it’s a case of “go big or go home”.
No, make that “go right or go home”. The boat has to have all the requisite appearance, performance, comfort and convenience features. And, it has to have a hook, some stand-out attribute that sets it off from the crowd.
A tall order, but well filled by Monterey’s new-for-2013 234SS. No stranger to the sport boat wars of recent years, Monterey already offers SS boats in most sizes from 18 to 26 feet. The 234 slots right in to an available niche and it sure has the look.
The 234’s sleek, can-do profile can be trimmed out in a wide variety of treatments, from conservative to Xtreme, from traditional blue and white to knock-your-sox-off black on black. Like all the Super Sports, it shares a version of the ergonomic and handsome helm station – equipped with backlit “medallion black ice” gauges. And, all the grab bars, cupholders, cleats and the like meet Monterey quality standards. The 234SS interior layout is dominated by U-shaped stern seating, with captain’s chairs just behind the windshield.
As an option, there’s a passenger side seat with a reversible flip seat back that converts that section of the stern “U” into a long lounger. Of course, all of the upholstery is impeccably styled and stitched.
A Super Sport’s athletic performance can be traced directly to a pair of unique features in Monterey’s Facet hull design. At the stern, the running surface is extended beyond the transom on both sides of the drive, thereby adding lift when running slowly. Forward along the chine, complicated notches are positioned to aerate the undersides when the hull is up and flying. Working in combination, these aquadynamic tricks create a boat that is economical to run, will stay on plane at low speeds and that hangs on in tight cornering maneuvers.
What’s the 234’s hook? The Monterey sun pad, of all things. Done before, right? Not in a size comparable to a queen size bed – on a 23 foot boat. All of the Super Sports have a rear sun deck, but with the filler cushions installed, the palatial 234SS pad sprawls across the back of the boat fully 54 by 83 inches. It’s big and showy, but it doesn’t look ridiculous or out of place. Monterey’s designers have managed to comfortably integrate the vast vinyl area with the stern seating. Plus, they’ve added a flip-up section in the centre of the upholstery that forms a wide aft-facing seat back when raised.
For all the attractive features of a Monterey sport boat, some folks will purchase the 234SS just for the sun pad.
Specifications
LOA: 23’ / 7.01m
Beam: 8’6” / 2.5m
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Weight: 3,950 lbs / 1,792 kg
Fuel: 52 US gal. / 208.2 L
Water: 10 US gal. / 37.8L
Power: 300hp maximum
For more information:
Monterey Boats
1579 SW 18th Street
Williston, FL, 32696
www.montereyboats.com