PDB Magazine Tests the Godfrey Monaco 235 SFL — 43.2 MPH, $46K Base Price
Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine independently tested the Godfrey Monaco 235 SFL with the Back Porch package and Mercury 250 V8. Their verdict: 43.2 MPH top speed, 4.5-second hole shot, and family-friendly features everywhere. Here's the full breakdown — plus why the Honda BF350 V8 goes even faster for less money.
Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine — the most widely read independent testing publication in the pontoon industry — just published their full boat test of the Godfrey Monaco 235 SFL with the Back Porch package. The results confirm what we have been telling customers at Carefree Boat Sales for years: the Monaco is one of the most capable, best-equipped pontoons in its price class.
Here is the full breakdown, plus our take on what the numbers mean for buyers on Lake Lanier and Lake Norman.
What PDB Tested
The test boat was a Monaco 235 SFL configured with the Back Porch package, which gives you a 255 deck layout with a 235 playpen — adding two extra feet of stern space. The as-tested price came in at $122,264 with the Mercury FourStroke 250hp V8. The base price with no options: $46,265.
That base-to-tested gap is wide, but it reflects a boat loaded with nearly every available package. Most buyers land somewhere in between.
The Performance Numbers
PDB tested the Monaco with a Mercury 250L V8 (4.6L / 250hp) swinging a 14.7 x 16 prop:
| RPM | Speed (MPH) | Noise (dB-A) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 4.5 | 73.5 |
| 2,000 | 8.7 | 83.5 |
| 3,000 | 17.8 | 86.0 |
| 4,000 | 24.1 | 87.5 |
| 5,000 | 33.5 | 92.0 |
| 5,900 | 43.2 | 100.5 |
Top speed: 43.2 MPH 0–20 MPH hole shot: 4.5 seconds
PDB's summary: "She effortlessly banks in tight turns, and because this Monaco is so responsive, it is a lot of fun to drive."
What the Back Porch Package Adds
The Back Porch option is one of the most popular Monaco upgrades, and for good reason. It reconfigures the stern into a dedicated lounge zone:
- Multi-position stern lounger — forward-facing, rear-facing, or fully flat
- Hidden pop-up changing room built into the lounger unit
- Two entry gates in the stainless steel stern railing
- Extended swim deck with LilliPad Marine boarding ladder and ski/tow cage
Combined with the iMPACT+ Center Tube 2.0 package (27-inch outer tubes, 29-inch center tube, full-length under-deck skin, lifting strakes, and a 63-gallon fuel tank), this is a boat built to perform and entertain.
The Full Feature List
PDB highlighted several standout features on the test boat:
At the helm:
- 7-inch Simrad NSX 3007 touchscreen with external transducer
- Multi-function GPS gauges
- Wireless charging cubby
- Heated and cooled helm seat (yes, really)
- SeaStar Power Assist Steering with tilt wheel
Entertainment and comfort:
- Clarion Gold stereo with 450W amplifier, six RGB speakers, and Bluetooth
- Full-spectrum RGB lighting — underseat, courtesy, underdeck, underwater, and lighted cupholders
- Entertainment center with built-in sink and faucet
- In-floor ski locker
- Lockable glovebox
Construction:
- Midnight package: blacked-out ski/tow bar, skirting, bow extension, rub rail, rails, canopy frame, corner caps, and pull-up cleats
- Eclipse Cool Touch vinyl with Lagoon accent color
- Matte black smooth rail skin with Lagoon graphics
What PDB Said They'd Change
PDB was honest about two minor critiques: they wanted more USB ports and wireless chargers for passengers, and noted the space between the port door and co-captain chair is a little tight. Those are fair observations on a heavily optioned boat.
Our Take: The Honda BF350 V8 Goes Faster for Less
The PDB test used a Mercury 250 V8 and hit 43.2 MPH. That is a strong result. But here is what we know from our own testing on Lake Lanier:
The Honda BF350 V8 on a Godfrey Monaco hits 51–52 MPH — and on most configurations, the all-in price stays under $90,000.
The Honda BF350 is the most powerful single-engine outboard in production. It produces more torque at lower RPM than the Mercury 250, which means a faster hole shot, higher top speed, and better fuel efficiency at cruise. We have the test data, and we have run it ourselves on Lake Lanier.
If you are comparing the Monaco with Mercury 250 to the Monaco with Honda BF350, you are comparing a 43 MPH boat to a 52 MPH boat — and the Honda build often costs less when you factor in the full package.
Vital Stats from PDB's Test
- LOA: 25' 9"
- Beam: 8' 6"
- Hull Design: iMPACT+
- Dry Weight: 3,670 lbs.
- Fuel Capacity: 63 gallons
- Max Occupants: 18
- Top Speed: 43.2 MPH
- 0–20 MPH: 4.5 seconds
- Base Price (no options): $46,265
- As Tested: $122,264
See the Monaco at Carefree Boat Sales
Carefree Boat Sales is a Godfrey Platinum Dealer — the highest dealer designation Godfrey awards. We carry the full Monaco lineup at our Lake Lanier location in Buford, GA, and we can put you on the water in the exact boat you're considering before you buy.
Call us at (678) 725-3749 or visit us at Lazy Days Marina on Lake Lanier to schedule your on-water demo. We'll show you what 52 MPH feels like.
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