Compare Monterey boats and Bulls Bay boats for family use: layout, ride, price, and who makes them. See both at a Maryland boat dealer since 1982.
Best Boat for Families in Maryland
If your family leans toward cruising, swimming, watersports, and shaded seating, Monterey boats are usually the stronger match. If your family leans toward fishing first, with the flexibility to still cruise and swim, Bulls Bay boats deliver a lot of capability for the money.
Choosing between Monterey boats and Bulls Bay boats usually comes down to how your family actually spends time on the water. One brand is built around comfort, seating, and watersports. The other is built around fishing at a value price.
Both can carry a family for a great day on the Chesapeake Bay, so the right answer depends on your habits, not on which brand is “better” overall. This guide compares the two honestly and shows where each one fits.
At Rhode River Boat Sales in Edgewater, Maryland, our family has helped Chesapeake Bay boaters match the boat to the crew since 1982. We carry both lines, so we can lay out the tradeoffs without pushing you toward one brand.
Are Monterey Boats Good for Families?
For family use, Monterey boats are a strong choice when comfort and versatility matter most.
Bowriders and the Elite outboard models offer:
- Wraparound seating
- Sun shade options
- Swim platforms
- Boarding ladders
If your weekends mix cruising, tubing, and swimming stops in a quiet cove, this is the layout most families reach for.
What you should take in mind regarding Monterey boats
A comfort-first cruiser is generally a bigger investment than a value center console, and it is not purpose-built for serious fishing. No boat is safe for children in every condition, so match the boat to your experience and always plan for weather and proper safety gear.
Are Bulls Bay Boats Good for Families?
Bulls Bay boats are good for families who want to fish first and still cruise and swim.
A center-console layout gives you walk-around access, rod storage, and a livewell for anglers, plus forward seating and an open deck that works for a family day.
For buyers who want fishing capability without a premium price, bulls bay boats stretch a budget further than most comparable new boats.
What you should take in mind regarding Bulls Bay boats
The tradeoff is that a fishing-focused center console offers less enclosed seating and shade than a dedicated family cruiser, though hardtops and canvas options help.
Our Bulls Bay 230 Chesapeake Bay review walks through how one popular model handles Maryland waters.
Monterey vs Bulls Bay: Full Comparison
Primary Use
- Monterey: Cruising, watersports, swimming, and entertaining, with fishing as a secondary use.
- Bulls Bay: Fishing first, with real capability to cruise and swim on the same boat.
Layout and Seating
- Monterey: Bowriders and Elite models emphasize wraparound seating, loungers, and shade.
- Bulls Bay: Center consoles emphasize walk-around fishing access, with forward and leaning-post seating.
Ride and Handling
Both brands use deep-V style hulls suited to Chesapeake chop.
Monterey leans toward a smooth, planted cruising feel, while Bulls Bay leans toward a practical, fishable ride.
Price
- Monterey: Typically a higher entry point, reflecting the cruiser-style build and features.
- Bulls Bay: A lower entry point, which is a core reason buyers choose the brand.
Service and Parts
Ownership support matters as much as the purchase.
Buyers can access storage, parts, and service through the affiliated Rhode River Marina in Edgewater, which helps with everything from seasonal maintenance to monterey boats parts and rigging questions after the sale.
How Much Does a Monterey Boat Cost?
Monterey boat prices vary widely by model, size, and engine package.
Used boats and smaller models can start in the mid-teens, while new Elite outboard models and larger sport yachts commonly run from roughly $120,000 into the $200,000s and above.
As a few current-market reference points, new Elite 25 and Elite 27 models have listed in the $130,000 to $190,000 range, and larger models climb from there.
These figures are market estimates only. For current pricing on monterey boats for sale, ask our team for the exact boat and options.
How Much Does a Bulls Bay Boat Cost?
Bulls Bay boats are positioned as a value brand, and pricing reflects that.
New models frequently list from the high $30,000s for smaller boats up to roughly $80,000 for a well-equipped 230 center console, with larger 255 models running higher. As a local reference point, a new 2026 Bulls Bay 230 center console has listed around $79,999 in Edgewater.
Prices change with options and engines, so confirm the current figure before you buy Bulls Bay boats. Ask us about any bulls bay boats for sale in current inventory.
How to Choose the Right Boat for Your Family
These questions usually settle it:
- Will you fish more than you cruise, or the other way around?
- How important are shade, enclosed seating, and swim access for kids?
- What is your realistic all-in budget, including storage and maintenance?
- Will you run the open Bay, the rivers, or quieter creeks?
If you want help thinking it through, our guides on which type of boat will best suit you and things to look for in your next boat are good next reads. You can also compare specific Monterey models in our Monterey M-65 vs Elite 25 comparison.
See Monterey and Bulls Bay Boats in Edgewater, MD
Rhode River Boat Sales is a family-owned and operated dealership since 1982, located at 2824 A Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, near Annapolis.
As a monterey boats dealer and bulls bay boats dealer in Chesapeake Bay, we can show you both lines side by side so your family can compare seating, layout, and ride in person.
Browse new boats and pre-owned boats, explore the Monterey brand page and the Bulls Bay brand page, or review financing and trade-in options. Call 410-798-4445 or contact us to schedule a private showing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Which is The Best Boat for Families: Monterey Boats vs Bulls Bay Boats
Are Monterey boats good?
Yes. Monterey boats are known for solid deep-V hulls, quality fit and finish, and a strong hull and deck warranty program. They are a good fit for families that prioritize cruising, watersports, and comfort — our look at Monterey Elite Series weekend cruising shows how that plays out on the water. Confirm the exact warranty terms on the specific boat.
Who makes Monterey boats, and who owns Monterey boats?
Monterey boats are made by Monterey Boats, founded in 1985 by brothers Charles and Jeff Marshall. On the question of who owns Monterey boats, the company remains family-owned and independently operated by its original founders.
Where are Monterey boats made?
Monterey boats are made in Williston, Florida, at a large manufacturing campus that also builds the Blackfin line.
Who makes Bulls Bay boats?
Bulls Bay boats are made by Carolina Composites, the same builder behind Pioneer boats. Because they share a factory and craftsmen, Bulls Bay offers Pioneer-level construction at a lower price.
Are Bulls Bay boats good?
Yes. Owners generally report durable, fishable, well-value hulls. As with any boat, longevity depends on how hard the boat is used and how well it is maintained, so follow the service schedule and inspect any specific boat before buying.
Where are Bulls Bay boats made?
Bulls Bay boats are made in Walterboro, South Carolina.
How much does a Monterey boat cost?
It depends on size, model, and engines. Used and smaller models can start in the mid-teens, while new Elite outboard models and larger sport yachts commonly range from about $120,000 into the $200,000s and above. You can see current pricing on models like the Monterey Elite 25 and Monterey M-45 in our inventory. These are market estimates. Ask our team for current pricing on a specific boat.
How much does a Bulls Bay boat cost?
New Bulls Bay models frequently list from the high $30,000s for smaller boats up to roughly $80,000 for a well-equipped 230 center console, with larger models running higher. For a current example, see the Bulls Bay 200 center console. Prices vary by options and engine, so confirm the current figure before you buy.
Where can I find Bulls Bay boats for sale near me in the Chesapeake Bay?
Rhode River Boat Sales in Edgewater, Maryland carries Bulls Bay boats and is a Bulls Bay boats dealer serving the Chesapeake Bay region. If you are weighing options, our guide to the best boats for family fun during peak Chesapeake summer is a helpful next read. Call 410-798-4445 to check current availability.
