MONTEREY 218SS

Monterey's 218SS offers exciting handling and sporty performance.

We Say: All that’s lacking is the smell of burning rubber. If you’re old enough to have driven a muscle car when they were in their heyday, there is little explanation required for Monterey’s 218SS raison d’être. If you are younger than that, this boat’s aggressive stance, exciting handling and sporty performance bring to the water many of the same qualities the Trans Am or Camaro SS brought to the street. In short, we experienced awesome acceleration with the Volvo Penta Duoprop drive and 50-plus mph at wide-open throttle thanks to the air-assist chine that helps reduce drag.

Gain entry from the large swim platform via a side walkway. A filler cushion allows you to enclose the cockpit for running or to open up for hanging on the hook. The fiberglass sole featured sharp deck hatches with deep gutters that will keep gear dry. More dazzling glasswork is to be found in the sculpted fiberglass inserts that ring the cockpit, replacing the common upholstered trim pieces boaters have come to know and hate for their poor weathering abilities over time. The icebox built into the portside console is a nice complement to the standard removable cooler. Aft, the sun lounge has a folding backrest.

Who'd Want One: Boaters seeking more jazz than a typical bowrider would deliver.

Another Choice: Larson’s sporty 2100 I/O powered by a 260 hp MerCruiser sterndrive starts at $48,964.