Key West Review

Summary

Key West Boats has been in operation since 1986 under the partnership of Dale Martin and Hutch Holseberg. When Dale retired, Hutch became the president and CEO. Key West is dedicated to maintaining open lines of communication with customers. It has two facilities in the United States that includes 160,000 square feet of space for design, construction, customer service, and sales and marketing. Key West Boats manufacture fishing boats primarily designed for inshore and offshore saltwater use. They may be used for large rivers and lakes also. They are marketed as being built by fishermen, for fishermen but can also accommodate family activities such as water skiing or tubing. Most Key West models meet the strict safety and structural standards put out by CE. Every boat meets or surpasses US Coast Guard standards. Beginning in 2004, every boat comes with a 10-year transferable structural hull warranty. They do not use wood in their construction.

Pricing

Most Key West Boats are five figures. A 15’ 152CC is listed at $6,295. Many of the 18’ and 19’ boats range in price from $10,000 to $15,000. The range of price for 20’-25’ models is $15,000-$25,000. The only exception to these pricing standards is the 268CC. It has a price tag of $100,291.

Pros

• Boats are very safe, meeting high standards of CE and the US Coast Guard.
• Boats are great on fuel.
• No wood/no rot policy in hull construction.
• Comes with the 10-year transferable structural hull warranty.

Cons

• Boats are primarily limited to inshore and offshore bodies of saltwater. They are not designed for large rivers and lakes.
• Company may do poor warranty work on hull.
• May not handle well.

Featured Models

One featured model is the 2008 176CC. The overall length is 17’7”. It has a dry weight of 1,300 lbs and a 40-gallon fuel tank capacity. It comes with twenty-six standard features. Another featured model is the 2008 2020CC. It is 20’2” long, has a dry weight of 1,900 lbs, and a 60-gallon fuel tank. It comes with twenty-six standard features, including a 20-gallon aerated live well that is five gallons larger than the 176CC. The 2009 176CC is a popular boat for buyers that want a big boat feel for a small boat budget. The 2009 model comes with a larger and heavier outboard. It has 90hp. It has the same dimensions, weight, and fuel tank as the 2008 model. A final featured model is the six-figure 268CC. It comes with 45 standard features, is 26’ long, has a maximum horsepower of 500, and a fuel tank capacity of 180 gallons.

Conclusion

Key West Boats are very affordable. Acouple boat owners question the safety, even though Key West Boats are said to meet and exceed high safety standards. They have an excellent warranty, but do questionable warranty hull work. The boats meet the needs of fishermen and family fun activities.