McKee Craft vs. Edgewater?

[troutpioneer]

"I have also heard almost "too good to be true" marketing claims from Evinrude ETEC motors which I beleive are available on the McKee boats which is pushing me in that direction - easy maintenance, high torque, clean emissions etc"

I'd go ahead and start researching that topic...make sure you are in a comfortable chair.

[From the Helm]

If you want a testimonial on the space in an EW 188CC: We took 2 adults, 2 kids, two tents, food, liferaft, 3 bb-guns and all of our food and other gear for two days on a camping trip. The route was 35 miles of open water to the far side of Beaver Island in Northern Lake Mich.

Nothing was left in the open, all of it fit in the center console, we had over 1/2 tank of fuel at the ramp after 105 miles of running. The trip started in a fierce thunderstorm riding a cold front, it was exceptionally rough and wet for 3 hours (figure that average speed!) but we were never worried and had lot's of laughs as the boat got hammered by breaking crests or dropped into elevator shafts in the troughs.

Monster freeboard and self draining cockpit with cut-away transom might look a little silly towing a skier, but man was it nice that day! Some times I think a top speed of 49 with a 150 and ss prop is a little slow and the boat could be lighter, but not that day!

The only boat(s) I would rather have been on would be significantly larger and costlier, and would suck for water skiing and beaching at the island.

[JupiterEdge]

From the Helm is correct, the 188cc has great capabilities. I have a 2002 185CC with Yamaha F150, ran it 340 miles round trip (170 miles one way) from Palm Beach to Green Turtle. Took along safety equipment, extra prop, spare parts/tools, spotlight, food, drinks, clothes, snorkel equipment, cameras, etc.. for a 7 day vacation. I was impressed, with 2 passengers and tons of gear it still had enough gas to make it without needing to refuel (I refueled at West End, but didn't really need to). It also handled the choppy conditions (2-4ft chop) nicely.I'm sure the McKee is a nice boat as well - but I can vouch for the Edgewater

[tracker1]

Is the console on the Edgewater 188 CC large enough to hold and be able to use a porta-potty?

[JerryV]

Proud owner of a 188 also, went fishing with 2 adults and three kids acouple weeks ago. I was a little tight but doable. I have had 7 adults on board for a cruise and the 150 yammie, powered the boat right up on plane. Our ride home was a different story, with the wind kicked up and a solid 2-4 footers in the bay, some of the older adults did not want me plane due to the conditions. this made things for a very wet ride. (My friends 1989 20 foot classic whaler is adryier boat but it does not ride nearly as well. HOWEVER I have been in similar conditions alone and the 188 did very well with limited spray. Bottomline the boat is very well built and rides very well for an 18 footer.

My only observation since that ride with my older family members was that nonskid surface for the cover on the front fishbox stained and appears with very close observation as if it has been sanded slightly from the front cushion. I have yet to decide if i will call Edgewater, regarding this. My fear is, even if they change to cover, next time someone sits on the the front cushin will it do the same thing?

Any ideas from anyone? Should I call.

[Alec Thigpen]

Not anything I would worry about.

[Alec Thigpen]

Just for the record I have a 17' Edgewater that I bought new almost 9 years ago, no problems, and I still don't need or want any other boat more than this boat for my use.