1996 Monterey 296 Cruiser

The 1996 Monterey 296 Cruiser is a fiberglass family weekender built around a deep-V hull designed for stable, comfortable handling in varied water conditions. Twin 250-horsepower Mercruiser sterndrives deliver performance in the high 20 knots cruising range with a top speed exceeding 40 knots. The boat was Monterey's first significant entry into the 30-foot sterndrive market and features a walk-through windshield, wide swim platform with fender racks, sport arch, and molded bow platform.

The layout includes double berths forward and aft, a convertible dinette, and an enclosed head with shower. The midcabin contains two bench seats flanking a fold-down table that converts into the boat's largest sleeping area. Good main cabin headroom and generous storage round out the interior. A double helm seat with aft-facing bench became standard from 1995 onward.

The 140-gallon fuel capacity is modest for a 29-foot boat and worth noting for fuel consumption planning. The boat was freshwater-kept and represents Monterey's design thinking from the mid-1990s cruiser class.