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Random Quote: I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me
feedback on KW? I know they got good reviews from JD power, but the boat is 1000 lbs less than a hydrasport or seaswirl, the boats I am considering. How do they ride? I am on Buzzards bay, MA where there is regular 3 ft chop in the afternoon.
You have answered your own question.....Less weight is due to less mass. The ride would beat you a 1000 lbs more than the other boats. I looked at key west boats 5 some years ago. The dealer pushed them off to me as an entry level boat which were made by people who worked for sea pro boats. I have never been impressed with either sea-pro or entry level boats so i purchased a pro-line at the time. The boat i kept for 5 years and served me well. sold it this year with minimal depreciation considering and bought a wellcraft. bought this boat from a friend who sells boats so i got a great deal. the other brands you mentioned were on my posible list as well as parker, edgewater and mako. My personal preferences only exclude entry level boats and gradys. had a grady, no big deal about the boat......lots of money for what?????? just my opinion.
Although I've never rode in it my friend has one and loves it! I often fish with him 20 or more miles offshore. I can't agree with Summer Catch, I have a 2001 Seapro 21W/A and she handles well offshore and is a good quality boat. The only drawback with the Key West and the new Seapro's are the Euro transom, they take up too much cockpit space.
We looked pretty hard at KW when we were looking for a 23' walkaround. I was not very impressed with the construction. The layup on the boat was very thin. Not that they have a bad reputation or won't hold up, but it was not anything special.
What I liked the least was how small the boat seemed for a 23. As mentioned above, the eurotransom really eats up a lot of space. The cockpit from the leaning post aft is really small. I would rather have a boat that is a full 23 feet with a full transom and a bracket.
They were priced excellent, but when we considered the size thing and the construction we decided against them.
I'd stay away. I took a quick look at Keywest last year and wasn't impressed. Like you said, the biggest factor is weight. In Buzzard's Bay, weight wins every time. That close period 3-5 foot chop (depending where you are and what the tides are doing) will kick your a$$ everytime. What seaswirl are you considering? I also looked at the Hydra 212 and Swirl 21 walkarounds. I never rode any of them but I think a few on the board have these boats. You could also ask Mike down at Eagle marine how he thinks the Hydra will handle buzzard's bay. He seems to be pretty honest and will probably let you ride in one if you're interested.
I owned the 2220cc Keywest and put in at Fairhaven and made the run over to Marthas Vinyard a number of times, handles the chop with no issues. The weight of the boats are less than the others which will save you on gas and the deep V-hull will cut the waves no problem.
Extra weight does not mean better construction. Example, chop glass weights more, is thicker in the hull, yet has less structural integrety than had laid glass boats. Also wood stringer systems and transoms weigh more than KW's Klegcell (spelling?) system.
Do your rescearch and take all opionions with a grain of salt.
Current KW 19cc owner here so I figured I would chime in. I like the KW a lot and have taken it just about everywhere all the other 19cc have gone with a few exceptions. The boat has held up well- looks like new after 2 seasons and 250 hours with not a single problem.
But that being said, you more or less get what you pay for but KW does offer a decent value for the $$. There are many boats in this category to choose from so take a look at many, ride in a few and get the info from owners who currently have that barnd or that model and pref from that dealer because the dealer experience (before and after tha sale) can make a world of difference no matter what brand you go with.
Just for the record, my buddy has an old GW 20 or 21 ft DC and we took it in BB this fall in some heavy chop. I was extremely impressed with the solid construction, ability to plow through the chop and all the room for fishing.
I have the 2020DC. The hull will launch in rough seas. However, trim the motor down and the deep vee will slice through anything(within reason) that you put it though. I love the boat. It will run 50-55 mph with a 200 hpdi. I dive, fish offshore and inshore with mine. Great boat, but I don't know how much room you will have with the WA.
advanced-placement - 2004-03-10 7:09 PM feedback on KW? I know they got good reviews from JD power, but the boat is 1000 lbs less than a hydrasport or seaswirl, the boats I am considering. How do they ride? I am on Buzzards bay, MA where there is regular 3 ft chop in the afternoon.
You must be comparing those boats to the KW 2020WA, when they are closer to the 225WA.* You will find the weight difference only a couple hundred pounds.
i have a Key West 2020 WA and love it,, it is solid and dry,,,It is well built and has not done anything it should not have.. It is well built and the gel-coat work is very good,, the fiberglass work is also well done,, the hardware is crome over brass/bronze and the cuddy portion is simple but well done,, Key West is certainly not a enrty Level Boat,, it is considered Mid-tier, weight wise when you campare a Grady White vs Pursuit,, the grady is heavier then the Pursuit,,Yet that does not make the pursuit a bad boat,, Please dont listen to the nay sayers that say weight equals a good ride,, although Grady and Pursuit are high quality boats the weight analogy holds true..Rememeber its a 20 foot boat,, heavy seas are relitive to its size,,In the 20/21 ft, range it measures up to all mid tier boats..it also holds it resale value very well .. the true test of time.
Careful with Anyones 20/21 footer in 5 foot seas with a wind chop,,Even a heavy boat sinks,,, i guessing much faster..
and i'm guessing but a 20 foot boat in 5 foot seas is going to be a rough ride..
Key West 2020 WA 
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