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The Monterey M45 is a compact bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Monterey of United States, a builder trading since 1985. On our measurements it works out at roughly 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m) of hull with a beam near 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), which places it squarely in the trailerable family bowrider class: one vehicle, one trailer, one afternoon of prep, and the boat is in the water. Quiet achiever with hand-laid hulls and a notably soft ride.
Layout is classic bowrider and that is the whole point of the boat. Twin lounges run forward of the windscreen with a walk-through to the anchor well, the helm and companion seats sit amidships behind a wrap screen, and a full-width lounge spans the transom for sunbathing and socialising. Around 8 people fit aboard comfortably in sheltered water. Cushions lift out, backrests fold and filler pads convert the cockpit from a conversation pit into one long sun bed in a couple of minutes.
The ride is what most owners talk about first. Deadrise through the forward sections knocks the top off bay chop, the running surface aft keeps the boat stable at rest, and the hull sits level when six people crowd one side to watch a skier. Inside the bay it feels planted and predictable, which is exactly what a family boat needs.
Power is a 70-105 hp four-stroke outboard package, and that suits both the hull and the way these boats are used. Keeping the machinery outside the hull frees up stern storage, simplifies servicing and removes the bellows and gimbal wear items that punish neglected stern drive boats. It also lifts the swim platform clear of the exhaust.
Watersports are well covered. A tow point is standard on almost every boat in this class, and Monterey owners regularly add a pylon or a folding tower for wakeboarding. A modest outboard package pulls a slalom skier out of the water cleanly and tows children on an inflatable biscuit all day without protest. Skis, ropes and vests live in the under-floor and under-seat lockers so nothing sits underfoot while the boat is loaded.
Anglers do well out of the M45. The bow converts to a casting deck once the cushions are stowed, there is room to swing a rod without hitting the screen, and lockers swallow tackle, nets and a cooler. It is not a dedicated fishing boat, but it catches fish and it still takes the family out the next morning — which is the entire argument for owning a bowrider.
Build and finish sit where you would expect for a premium boat from United States. Monterey is the brand experienced buyers keep recommending and casual buyers keep overlooking. Hulls are hand laid with a focus on structural stiffness, and owners consistently report less rattle, squeak and flex than higher-volume brands after several seasons of trailering. The M-series bowriders favour long lounges, deep lockers and clean sightlines over gimmicks, which suits owners who spend whole days aboard rather than an hour at a time. Ride quality is a genuine strength: the hulls carry enough deadrise to knock the top off chop and enough weight to stay planted, so passengers in the bow are not punished when the afternoon breeze fills in. Fit-out sits at the premium end, with quality stainless, well-sealed hatches and upholstery that survives sun better than average. Both stern drive and outboard versions are offered, and because production volumes are modest, used examples tend to be well cared for by owners who chose the brand deliberately.
Options worth having on the M45 are the practical ones: a bimini for shade, a decent bow and cockpit cover so the upholstery survives being stored outside, an upgraded sounder if you fish, and a stereo package that can be heard over the engine. On fibreglass, a ceramic coat or a good polish once a season keeps the gelcoat looking new and protects resale.
As a used buy, check the same things you would on any bowrider in this size band: transom firmness, stringer and floor soundness, hours and service history on the engine, steering and trim function, and the state of the upholstery seams, which are the first thing to fail on a boat that lives uncovered. Boats from this builder hold their money well, so a tidy example will not be cheap, and that is usually a sign you are buying the right one.
Our price guide for the M45 is US$34,000 - US$45,000 new, which moves with engine choice, trailer, tower and how recently the boat was refreshed. Judged as a whole, it does what people buy a bowrider for: cruise, tow, swim, fish and entertain in one boat, without asking the family to compromise on any of them. Monterey has been refining that formula since 1985, and the M45 is a straightforward, well-judged expression of it.
The world's best selling bowrider size, Light, simple and easy to tow.
US$38,000 - US$52,000 new
The refined mainstream benchmark: quiet, dry, and beautifully finished for the money.
US$72,000 - US$95,000 new
A premium 25-foot bowrider renowned for its deep seating, convertible lounges, refined ride and exceptional finish.
US$155,000 - US$210,000 new
Featured Boat of the Week
This week we are putting the Bayliner Bayliner DX2000 in the spotlight, and it earns the spot. At 20 ft 2 in (6.16 m) long on a 8 ft (2.44 m) beam, this is a bowrider that reads the water well and still feels roomy enough for a full day out. A 20-foot deck-boat-width bowrider with outboard power and a huge social cockpit. Power comes from 115-150 hp mercury fourstroke outboard through a outboard package, and the fibreglass hull keeps the ride settled when the afternoon breeze puts a chop on the surface.
Seating is rated for 8 people, so there is space for family, friends, towels, eskies and the tow rope without anyone climbing over gear. Owners tend to buy it for family, water ski, leisure — which is exactly where it shines. Fuel is 30 us gal (114 l), and on the second-hand and new market you should expect to land somewhere around US$42,000 - US$58,000 new depending on hours, trailer and options.
Our full deep dive covers the layout in detail: bow lounge comfort, helm ergonomics, the rear entertaining area, storage that actually swallows a weekend, plus standard features, popular options and honest notes on where the boat compromises. If the Bayliner DX2000 is on your shortlist, start there — and check back next week, because the featured boat changes every week as we complete more full model reviews.
Featured Bowrider Article
Ownership
The purchase price is the headline; the running cost is what decides whether you keep the boat. Fortunately bowriders are among the cheapest powerboats to own, and the numbers are predictable enough to budget properly before you buy. A 5.5-6.0 m bowrider with a 115-150 hp four-stroke uses roughly 15-25 litres per hour at cruise. At fifty hours a year — a typical family season — that is 750-1,250 litres. A 7 m boat with 250-300 hp can double it. Cruise speed matters more than engine size. Running at an efficient 3,500-4,000 rpm instead of wide-open throttle routinely halves consumption, and a correctly pitched propeller can improve economy by ten per cent on its own. Budget an annual service of roughly 400-900 in local currency for a single modern outboard, more if the engine is large or the labour rate is high. Sterndrives typically run higher because the drive leg needs its own attention, and bellows replacement every few years is a scheduled cost rather than a surprise. Add anodes, filters, gear oil, propeller repairs, batteries every three to five years, trailer bearings and tyres, plus antifoul if the boat lives in the water. Boats kept on a trailer and flushed after use avoid most…
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