Fun and Flexibility

If you're into astrology, then the new Monterey 236 Montura Cuddy is definitely a Gemini. That's the sign with the split personality and I should know, I'm one too. But this 236 has a far more serious personality shift: by day, it thinks it's a big runabout and, after dusk, it turns into an overnight camper. Even I don't dream that big.

Sure, you're saying, this is one of those ugly do-everything boats that sacrifices looks to get extra room. Not true. From a distance, you'd never guess that under the flat foredeck is a cozy cabin with full headroom. The 236 Cuddy doesn't have the beached whale look found on so many small boats that try to stuff in a cabin and end up looking like 20 pounds of watermelons in a 10-pound bag.

So, you say, that means that I'm going to give up runabout performance to drag all this comfort around? Again, not true. Our test boat, with the optional Volvo Penta 7.4 showed a solid 54 mph on the Lakeland Boating radar gun, and this boat has enough torque to add a couple of inches of arm length to water-skiers on deepwater starts. Trust me, this boat is no slouch.

Monterey, out of Archer, Florida, has obviously spent a lot of time figuring out what boat owners really want, as opposed to some companies that worry more about what buyers think they want. The result is a thoughtfully laid out and properly built boat.

Our test boat had the standard cockpit layout, with a single bucket seat for the driver and 24-inch-wide back-to-back seats that turn into a sun lounge on the companion side. An optional sundeck arrangement is available with twin bucket seats, an enlarged sun pad over the engine and somewhat less floor space in the cockpit, but the standard arrangement has more flexibility for family use, and still has enough sunpad for a single sun worshipper.

The cockpit is deep and secure, a bonus for parents with small children, and the wrap-around windshield provides good wind protection all the way to the bench seat across the back of the cockpit. The cockpit floor is covered with 20-ounce marine-grade carpeting, and the upholstery is beautifully finished marine vinyl with a fade resistant guarantee. The seatbase for the companion seat is molded plastic, rather than the usual plywood found on many boats. Stowage bins are built into both cockpit sides, and a huge underfloor locker has an opening with oversized hinged hatches that is big enough for both long waterskis and wide kneeboards.

Settle into the bucket behind the helm, and everything seems to be right where you'd expect. Our test boat had the upgraded Dino dash with burled wood dash paneling and a tilt Dino sport steering wheel. An array of black-faced gauges are easily scanned (including the standard Lowrance depth sounder), and a cassette stereo is also in the dash. One interesting departure for Monterey is the use of rotary-style electrical switches rather than the usual toggles or rockers. I thought at first that the Volvo single-lever throttle/shift was mounted too high, and then I realized that it's at the perfect height when you're running at half to three-quarter throttle.

Just to starboard of the companionway door are two molded steps that lead to the walk-through windshield. With a good non-skid pattern both on the steps and down the center of the foredeck, there is plenty of security when going forward. For those who want an easier way, the 19" Bomar round hatch in the foredeck is within easy reach of the bow cleats, so you can stand in the hatch and handle the anchor or dock lines. There's a large hinged anchor locker at the bow, and the entire foredeck is surrounded by a welded stainless-steel rail.

Aft of the cockpit, there's a wide integrated swim platform with a concealed telescoping swim ladder under a hatch to starboard, and another flush locker to port for ski line stowage. An optional freshwater shower is also available for rinsing off after a swim.

The real surprise for most first-time guests will be to step through the companionway doors and find a genuinely usable cabin. A galley unit is to port, with sink, cutting board, and single-burner alcohol stove. There's stowage under the galley and also on shelves behind the counter. You're not going to be preparing a five-course gourmet meal here, but it certainly takes care of food, from coffee to sandwiches, for a day on the water.

Forward, a wrap-around U-shaped settee has double-layered backrests with a stowage shelf above. The cocktail table is removable (I'd add a bracket to use it in the cockpit for alfresco snacking) and the berths can be converted into a wide double with additional cushions. I suspect that, because of the bolsters on the edge of the settee cushions, a full-width berth might be just a bit lumpy. Aft and to starboard is a concealed Porta-potti head with a hanging locker behind big enough for full-sized coat hangers.

Monterey uses time-proven construction methods, with a solid fiberglass hull and topsides (using AME 4000 blister-resistant resins), and end-grained balsa coring in the deck for stiffness. The stringers are plywood encapsulated in four layers of mat and roving, and a layer of Coremat in the topsides prevents the "print-through" of the fiberglass pattern. One unusual feature of the 276 is that every hull cavity not being used for storage or power plant is injected with foam flotation for added security. The hull shape is a modified V-bottom, with a 20-degree transom deadrise and double full length strakes for easy riding in choppy water.

Construction on the Monterey is not exotic but certainly well-proven, with AME-4000 skincoat for blister prevention, backed up by four layers of alternating 24-ounce woven roving and 1.5-ounce mat (and further backed up by a five-year warranty). The stringers are plywood encapsulated in four layers of mat and roving, and a layer of Coremat in the topsides prevents the "print-through" of the fiberglass pattern. One unusual feature of the 236 is that every hull cavity not being used for stowage or power plant is injected with foam flotation for added security. All deck hardware is stainless steel and through-bolted, while the bow rail enclosing the foredeck is welded rather than screwed for strength.

I always give extra credit to builders who don't leave shards of fiberglass hanging or rough edges hidden in the bilge. Even in the out-of-the-way places where most owners will never look, the Monterey was finished in a tidy and seamanlike manner. Even the bilge and engine sump were smoothly get coated, making clean-up of spills easy. The wiring was loomed neatly, and everything was readily accessible.

Monterey has perfected the pre-assembly construction process, which accounts for much of the finish quality. The galley, for example, is built as a separate module, completely finished and then installed into the cabin. Because Monterey uses a computerized digital router for cutting parts to exact specifications, the human error is removed and everything fits as planned. You won't find the wide bands of silicone sealant used by many manufacturers to hide the gaps between panels or components. Our test boat had dark blue topsides, a white bottom, and blue and gold pinstripes, making this a stylish and distinctive color scheme.

Engine access on our test boat was excellent, with the big Volvo V-8 fully revealed when the bench seat cushions are removed and the engine hatch is tilted upwards. There's also an unusual engine access in a concealed stowage area at the edge of the sun pad with a plastic bin that can be removed to reach the top of the engine without opening the normal engine hatch.

Standard power is the MerCruiser 5.7L 350-cubic-inch V-8, and our test boat had the 330-horsepower Volvo Penta 7.4Gi with the Cobra SX single prop outdrive.

Underway, the Montura 236 is a fun and responsive performer. At the helm, there are good footrests for the driver and a built-in armrest, making this a comfortable all-day boat. The white deck did reflect into the windshield causing a haze that affected visibility, but a little black paint or a dark towel would solve the problem.

We were running on Biscayne Bay, so we didn't have offshore swells to contend with, although there were enough yacht wakes to see that the 22-degree transom deadrise and the topsides flare would keep the crew dry and cushion the ride in chop. As I mentioned earlier, we topped out at 54 mph with a nearly full tank of fuel and two people aboard. Better yet, at a lazy 3,000 rpm, you're doing over 30 mph which should give good engine life and a cruising speed that eats up the miles. With power steering, you can release the wheel and not whip into a torque turn, which takes the muscle out of steering. The 236 handles like a smaller boat, with responsive steering and the ability to nimbly run a slalom course. I really couldn't find a fault with the handling or the performance.

Price is another area where the Montura 236 shines. The base price, with the 5.7L MerCruiser, is just $28,953 and that includes a lot of equipment including the convertible top.

If you've been looking at something in this size range, put the Montura 236 Cuddy on your short list of must-see boats, and I think you'll be impressed.

Boat Specifications