2010 Monterey M5

By: Mike Milne

In an effort to give day cruisers more boat for their bucks, while still retaining the handling attributes of a sport boat, some manufacturers are building sporty deckboats. Instead, Florida based builder Monterey has simply created a better bowrider, incorporating design elements often found on deckboats. At 26 feet long and 8 feet, 6 inches wide, theM5 is an ultimate day boat equipped for water sports, beach landings and multi-zone comfort.

At first glance, theM5 seems to have the pickle-fork bow design seen in some new sport boats. In fact, it retains a modified-V hull, but carries more beam forward. Flaring deck sections at the bow give it a picklefork appearance and allow for much roomier seating and a bow ladder for beach access.

Bow seating departs from the usual V- or U-shape. There are forward-facing seats to port and starboard with legroom and armrests. There’s a wide forward bench seat facing aft with filler cushions to create a continuous horseshoe if you prefer.

In the main cockpit, reduced flare in the hull sides and narrow side decks create the room needed for swiveling helm and companion bucket seats, an L-shaped bench aft to port and a walk-through aft to starboard.

The aft portion of the bench seat is back-to-back with an aft-facing seat on the swim deck and the two fold electrically to form a sun lounge.

Behind the helm seat, buyers can choose a single seat or wet bar. An optional electric grille is available. A built-in icebox and removable portable cooler provide enough room for a full day’s beverages and snacks. There’s an enclosed marine head in the companion helm console.

The spacious swim platform and folding sports arch will make the boat a capable tow machine and a large gear locker to port – accessible from the swim deck – keeps skis, wakeboards and wet sports gear out of the cockpit. A planned MSX version of the boat will offer a full ballast system.

Performance-wise, theM5 promises to be dry, comfortable (with a 20-degree hull) and speedy (with Volvo Penta and MerCruiser stern drive options from 5.7-litre to 8.1-litre). Monterey project engineer Roy West reports top speeds of 46 mph with a DuoProp-equipped Volvo Penta 5.7 GXi. TheM5 is likely to find favour with day boaters in all latitudes and Monterey is already planning to go to even greater (and lesser) lengths to keep boaters happy, with anM3 version measuring in at 23 feet, 10 inches and anM7 at 27 feet, 10 inches