Monterey 350

There's a sameness about many American sportscruisers that comes from sourcing components from major suppliers who service the global boat-building industry. Everyone seems to use a standard-issue Taylor Marine wraparound curved five-piece windscreen, for example, and similar deck fittings and vinyl upholstery. Add a computer-aided design package that does the thinking for you, putting all the bumps and curves in the right places, and, voila, you have a Yankee sportscruiser to go.

In contrast, the flagship of Monterey's sporty range, the 350 Sport Yacht, has an exclusive made-for-Monterey Taylor Marine windscreen with cool angular lines and doubly heavy-duty stainless-steel framing. This one feature gives the boat a refreshingly new look. Well, it's actually a retro-look, but that is very much in vogue these days.

As with the baby of the range, the Monterey 270 that I tested in Trade-A-Boat Issue 341, Monterey's flagship 35-footer tickled my senses and impressed me immensely wherever I cast my eye. The dash is special, with a metallic racecar-like finish, recessed mouldings for the flash Faria engine gauges with stainless-steel bezels, and even a trick Isotta sports steering wheel.

The finish is a cut above, both in respect of the upholstery and mouldings, with some extra 'bling' compared with most run-of-the-mill production boats. As imported, the local package includes every feature you would ever want on a sportsyacht, from a foredeck sunpad to a generator and air-con. The only thing left wanting was perhaps a bowthruster to assist new skippers. It can be retrofitted.

Refreshingly, the interior décor is distinctly European in flavour, not too glitzy but classy and timeless. The open-planned layout and spacious companionways are very much in keeping with the American way. Then there is the ride and drive from twin 310hp Volvo D6 diesel engines. Add big-boat engineering and you can really range places in this über-chic 35-footer.

SOUND FOUNDATIONS
The 350 Sport Yacht felt good trucking through the heads and out to sea. It didn't shudder or fall over in an ungainly manner in tight turns, nor was it too wet. High cruise speeds of 26–30kt let you outrun the spray.

There are also petrol engine options, but the sophisticated electronic D6s with velvet-smooth electronic shifts suit the character of this boat.

 The handlaid hull features polyester resin, a sound-deadening and stiffening material called Spraycore, woven rovings that are overlapped at the keel and chines, and closed-cell foam injected into every cavity for buoyancy, further stiffening, and sound deadening.

Each boat is tank tested, fitted with time-proven equipment such as a Ritchie compass, Faria gauges, big deck cleats, coded wiring looms, European carpet, extra-thick vinyl, quilted mattress covers, cedar-lined illuminated hanging lockers, a Clarion sound system, galley with microwaves oven, and moulded head with hot shower and vacuflush loo.

But it's also the layout and ergonomics, the way you can trounce about the 350 and find comforts close at hand, that help make this boat a pleasant companion for summer. The seating plan and amenities centre on deck will be popular, while accommodation can cater for a family of four without feeling like you're jammed in a three-star roadside motel room.

The generator, aft-most in the engine room, is well muffled from the midships cabin, and the engine room, which is accessed through a quick-inspection day hatch or by pushing a button and raising the cockpit floor, has a chequerplate centre floor and big-boat engineering for easy pre-start checks.

The Racor fuel filters and oil dipsticks, inlets for the generator and hot water service were all easy to find. The generator had a bronze sea strainer and all hoses were double clipped. I noticed plenty of sound insulation and low-maintenance batteries, and a good finish even in out-of-the-way places.

SUMMER LIVING
Like all Montereys, the 350 has a deep, full-width, teak-topped boarding platform, with a centre swim ladder and grabrails. There is an aft garage for storage and dockside power and water connections. The boarding platform is big enough to laze about on, with a handheld shower nearby, starboard gate to the cockpit and portside moulded steps to the sidedecks.

The trick windscreen isn't an opening number, which may or may not worry green crew, but you can take heart from the wide sidedecks backed by grabrails, bowrails and moulded toerails. It is easy to reach the sunpad mounted on tracks and press studs on the bow. The pad stayed put during testing.

The 350 comes with a windlass and stainless-steel deck gear including navigation lights, drinkholders, supports for the bimini top and a rodholder if you want to wet a line. (A slither of leftover barbecued chicken is an irresistible bait for bream at well-attended anchorages).

The cockpit features snap-in carpet and abundant seating, with a U-shaped lounge to port for six people around a moulded table that, with infills, converts into a sunpad. The boat has three remote controls for the stereo including one nearby to this lounge.

Opposite behind the helm seat is the entertainment centre and what a handy amenity it is. You get an icemaker, sink with separate basin big enough to wash a salad, food-prep space and a cutting board but no griddle. But this is very much a prawn-and-salad summer boat and a rail-mounted 240V barbie could be retrofitted.

The L-shaped co-pilot lounge to port can seat three people within earshot of the skipper and it double as a chaise lounge. The bimini top ranges fore and aft off the angular targa arch, which complements the lines of the slightly tinted windscreen. There's plenty of shade and protection from the wind before the screen.

CRUISER COMFORTS
The Monterey 350 is bundled with an exclusive interior décor pack with classy blue-and-cream patterned bedding known as the Admiral's Choice. The forward owner's cabin, behind a suede-like privacy curtain, had art-deco uplights and a classy light feature for its bedhead.

 The offset and obtuse double bed also had an inner-sprung mattress, steps to help you in and out, good storage and an escape hatch with insect and privacy screens, plus a separate Sharp LCD television within easy viewing.

Back in the saloon, the starboard-side dinette includes a lounge with camel-coloured Ultraleather upholstery that can seat four around a real cherrywood table. The table converts to an impromptu double bed and the boat's CD player is within arm's reach.

The trick air-con outlets, Roman blinds, carpet runners, mood lighting and mock cherrywood and genuine timber joinery infer a sense of quality. Fresh air comes via three opening portlights and two deck hatches. Views extend from the dinette across to the galley where there is the second of the boat's three televisions.

This boat's galley gets the nod. There are solid Avonite-like counters, with a cover and cutting board over a sink, plus a two-burner electric stove, small Tappan microwave oven, AC/DC Isotherm fridge, timber floor and loads of storage. Best of all, a generator means self sufficiency and there's an opening portlight for ventilation.

Last but not least, the aft cabin. I was surprised to find two adult-length single beds that with heavily engineered infill convert to a huge queen-sized bed and/or rumpus room. You also get a two-person settee, hanging locker, the boat's third television with DVD storage, and trick reading lights. Such are the comforts and privacy you really could weekend away with another couple.

The starboard bathroom is linked to the boat's 180-odd litres of water. Think evening showers in summer and morning swims followed by a rinse with the deck shower. A curtain protects the high-gloss door and there is a teak seat over the vacuflish loo that lifts on a gas strut when not showering.

The head has a Tankwatch gauge for the generous 144lt holding tank, which is very easily emptied. There are colour-coded plumbing lines, an opening port and exhaust fan, plus a vanity with mirror, storage, handrail and Euro-inspired bathroom fittings. All very nice indeed.

SPORTY DRIVE
I was taken by the sporty dash, great views, comfy adjustable helm bucket seat with bolster, the Volvo EVC shifts, and the ensuing drive. Electronics included a Raymarine C70, VHF radio, Volvo's keyless ignition, Clarion CD player, searchlight, Bennett trim tabs with indicators and a fire-suppression system. Both captain and navigator also have storage for their personals - good attention to detail.

Monterey's 350 provided snappy off-the-Isotta-sports-wheel handling, a smooth ride from a moderate-vee hull with a sharp entry, and good vision in both seated and standing positions. At rest, it's a big stable boat but underway it's nimble and eager.

Minimum plane of 10kt at 1710rpm suggests efficiency, with 2020rpm turning in a solid heavy-weather cruise of 15kt.

Cruise was clocked at 25.6kt at 2620rpm with nominal trim tabs. Consumption at this speed was close enough to 70lt/h for a truly excellent 300nm-plus range.

 Maximum continuous speed was 31kt at 3000rpm and we pulled 36–38kt top speed at 3350rpm, where the 350 was really flying. However, the acceleration of the new diesel Volvo D6 motors was just as impressive. And such was the lack of vibration, smoke and noise you had to remind yourself they were diesels.

The Monterey 350 performs true to its appearance, offers driving and cruising pleasure, and now that I've tested the biggest and smallest boat in the range I do believe this applies to the entire lineup.

Of all the models, the 350 will be the most comfortable entertaining on the anchor and overnighting. Such is its range, you can stay away for a weekend at least. Really, there's no much else you need from a boat these days.

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