Monterey 180FS it is!

[ekinnee]

Hey all, I'm faced with a tough decision and need help.

I'm torn between a Stingray 185LX and a Monterey 180FS. Both are new boats. They are both 18' with a 3.0L Volvo. The Monterey is supposed to be a foot wider in the beam, the Stingray is supposed to have a higher top speed and is cheaper. The Monterey is better in fit and finish.

What might you chose and why? Am I right in thinking the Monterey is just a higher end boat, period, and will have higher resale value later on when I graduate to the next boat?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Stingray vs. Monterey

Re: Stingray vs. Monterey

I'd go for the size (extra foot in beam) and quality over a few miles an hour in top end any day. Unless of course you're going to run around at WOT all the time.

 

[ekinnee]

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

So I looked again and the beam is not 12" wider, in fact it's 7.2" wider. Not sure where I go that original statement from.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

I vote for the Monterey. The Stingray is nice, but the Monterey has a bigger hull and a better ride.

 

[ekinnee]

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

An thoughts on the Monterey, period? I don't see them mentioned much around here and their forum is pretty dead.

 

[winenut]

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

We bought a Monterey 194FS and love it. We researched and checked out Stingray, Regal, Glastron, Chaparral, Hurricane, plus others and really liked the Monterey the best. The company is based in Florida where we live and it doesn't seem to be well-known elsewhere. We have had our boat out 7 times since we bought it June 12th and we love it more every time. We actually looked at the 180FS first and decided to go a bit larger. It still fits in our 2-car garage (at an angle) Good luck with your decision!

 

[KCook]

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

I agree that Monterey is a nicer boat. But with the limitation of the 3L motor I would expect the Stingray to be more frisky. Put the 4.3L in the Monterey and then my vote swings to the Monterey.

Kelly

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

Get whichever one you can buy first with the new fuel injected 3.0!

 

[ekinnee]

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

Re: Stingray 185LX vs. Monterey 180FS

Well I pick up the Black Monterey 180FS tomorrow. We took it out on the lake today, and it's everything I wanted, and looks great too.

Thanks all for your opinions! I figured the Monterey would be the way folks would lean. I get buyers remorse really bad and agonize over large purchases before I make them.