MONTEREY 282 CRUISER


Tested by Capt. Ron Svoboda

Monterey’s 282 is the smallest of their wide beam cruisers. She boasts a full 10 foot beam for maximum comfort on the water. Her running surface of 28 feet 9 inches, is nimble underway and manageable while docking.


The optional extended swim platform is a must, as it adds over two feet of length for your swimming and diving comfort. The transom houses a tidy storage hatch for lines, and a port side door that will lead you to the aft cockpit entertainment area. Two bench seats make up the seating arrangements, one facing forward and one facing aft. Although comfortable, I was hoping this area would convert into a sun lounge. Directly to port, is a small wet bar with good counter space, a sink and lots of storage space in the cabinets.


At The Helm

The starboard side helm is well laid out with controls and instrumentation at easy reach. The tilt steering column is a plus, but the black steering wheel is not, for it can get mighty hot on a sunny day. A molded fiberglass radar arch provides space for antennas and securing the canvas top. When it's time to access the bow’s sun pad or the anchor windlass, the molded steps at the bridge will make it a safe transition to the foredeck.


Below Deck

Access to the cabin below deck is through a three-piece Plexiglas door. The top piece slides into the foredeck neatly and the bi-fold doors lock in place when open. A few steps down and you’re in the 282’s cozy cabin. This is where this cruiser really shines, as the folks at Monterey made great use of the limited space available on a small cruiser. Staring with the compact galley located to port, the chef will find everything they need for preparing meals on the hook. Complete with a fridge, sink, cooktop, microwave, coffeemaker, and most important, a TV with VCR. The synthetic cherry wood veneer cabinets and granite style counter top add a rich feel to the cabin.

The cabin décor is not only stylish but also functional. Finished in supple tan leatherette upholstery, the dinette seating folds down to convert the area into a forward berth. A large round ceiling hatch above the forward berth provides lots of light and ventilation when needed.


The starboard side head includes a flush toilet, vanity with sink, and a stand-up shower. Us tall folks are not be able to stand up in the head, but Monterey built a smart shower seat above the toilet so you can comfortably bathe.

Should you decide to bring guests along, they can relax and bunk down for the evening in the spacious midcabin. Again, the designers at Monterey have made great use of space here, as this area is comparable to yachts of much greater sizes.


Performance and Handling

Back at the helm, we put the 282 through her paces. Monterey offers several engine and drive packages from MerCruiser and Volvo-Penta. Both are excellent choices so you can’t go wrong. Performance and handling are good on the 282. She gets out of the hole quickly and has a stable, no-nonsense ride. Once on plane, this cruiser handled the rough stuff well and maneuvered with ease. Sharp turns at various speeds are confidently performed and the line of sight over the bow is good.

Our test boat came equipped with Volvo powered stern drives, and like all the boats we’ve tested with this brand of propulsion, you will find that the drive trim adjustment is delayed. I was not impressed with the clumsy throttle and shifter controls you get with the package. The Volvo-Penta and MerCruiser control units leave a lot to be desired.


Overall, the 282 Cruiser is a value packed machine with a good riding hull. The designers did a great job with the cabin and with the exterior lines.

• Top speed for the Monterey 282 Cruiser is 47.0 mph (75.6 kph), burning 44.6 gallons per hour (gph) or 168.81 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Monterey 282 Cruiser is 38.3 mph (61.6 kph), and the boat gets 1.48 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.63 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 190 miles (305.78 kilometers).


• Tested power is 2 x 270-hp Volvo Penta 5.0 GXi.