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Random Quote: Boatowner's prayer. Please dont let my widow sell my gear for what I said I paid for it.
I was fortunate recently to find and purchase a used 23 Mckee with twin 200
Johnsons.I Purchased the 23 in North Caralina and then had time to make the
road trip to the Mckee Craft factory in Fairmont,NC.
They gave us a tour of the factory and I was extremly impressed.There was a
actual prototype cabin boat being built that was going to fit on the 23/24 hull.
We seen a 28 mold being sprayed with gel coat.(That hull looked huge)
We also seen the patrol boat being fitted with options.
I have toured a couple of factorys and was impressed with the attention to detail
they had at Mckee Craft.
I've been on quite a few of the Mckee Craft freedoms at different boat shows.Even
took a test ride on one at the Miami boat show with twin 200 E-tecs.
I was trying to choose between the 24 Whaler and the 23/24 Mckee.After having
the Mckee for a couple of weeks I am very,very glad I chose the Mckee Craft.
I am a very big fan of not sinking in a boat after seeing a 25 foot boat sink
and hearing first hand about close experiences.
Maybe I am a little stubborn but I never imagined owning anything but a Whaler.
After owning 4 whalers in 15 years I will say again I am extremly happy with
my purchase of the 23 Mckee and look forward to using it in the years ahead.
There is alot of good people working their at Mckee Craft and I felt privlleged
to breifly see Lannes Mckee and talk to Key.And speaking of Key he is a walking
encyclopedia in building unsinkable boats.
Thanks for showing American craftsmanship still exist and building a great boat
I can be proud to own!
be proud to own!
I was just up there 10 days ago to pick up my 22. Interestingly I also test rode the boat down in Miami too!Anyhoo, obviously I like the Mckee but I really like the 240 Outrage Whaler also...neat boat with all sorts of well thought out features, but in my opinion these boats target two different audiences in terms of purpose. Either way you couldnt go wrong.Scott Wilkerson showed me around. I was very tempted to take a pic of the mold they were making for a new model but wanted to be courteous. I liked that they knew everyone by name and showed a good rapport with folks.
I have been looking to locate all the pumps and follow the hoses to understand
what and where everthing is.
Two 800 gph bait sentry pumps with shutoffs and their own thru-hull fittings.
The raw water wash down draws off of one of the pumps thru-hull fittings.
Fresh water pump,macerator pump for fish boxes.macerator pump for
marine head,and I'm not sure yet what pump fills the marine head.
I am still trying to figure out if the holding tank will pump overboard or if
I have to pump it out at a marina.
As far as electronics I'm moving up to the Garmin 3010c and Jensen stereo
mounted in the electronics box with a remote on the dash and speakers mounted
in the center console.
"I am still trying to figure out if the holding tank will pump overboard or if
I have to pump it out at a marina."
HannaKyn
Yes: There is a "Y" valve inside the hatch beside the head and two rocker switches that control the overboard discharge feature. I personally haven't operated one yet, but I'll get the procedure and post it back here. I know we were having this done on plate (Engraved or screened) for mounting at the head.
All this is assuming you have the porcelain head and holding tank system. Sorry we did not cover that while you where here. Also hate I missed you, I think I was held over an extra day at the Navy Base meeting the day*you where here??
Maybe I'll get to meet you when southbound this summer.
Read post re: Cabin for 23/24-- got my attention any more info--ie WA step down/up presently looking at Parker -- 21/23 amd Steiger 23 however do not like well between the seats in 21 because I want open back boat on Lake Erie
I am going to take my 23 out fishing this weekend either saturday afternoon or
sunday morning for the first time.I'll hit some grouper spots and try some
trolling.
I had the local johnson dealership put the 200's on the computer.120hrs on the
port motor and 119on the starboard.Its amazing all the info that comes off of
the printouts.It showed total mins at all rpms.It also showed there were not
any bad codes as far as overheating or rev limits.
I had them use synthetic oil for the oil change.The plugs checked out in good shape
and did not need replaced.
I started plugging my waypoints into my new garmin.I never realized how many
different waypoints I had.(125) What a difference from a 168 garmin to a
3010c garmin,Wow!
The boat performed well on our first fishing trip out into the Gulf.
We caught about a dozen grouper and ended up with three keepers
that each weighed out at about ten pounds.
The waves were at about 3 to 4 and we cruised back at 4000 rpms
hitting between 37 and 40 mph.There was a cross wind that threw
a little spray on the port side but the ride was nice.
My last boat had a 20 degree deadrise and road a whole lot rougher
than the 23 foot Mckee craft freedom.
Heres a good tip of the day don't take off to fast with the overhead
electronics box open and always lock the anchor hatch!
The only rattle the 23 Freedom had was the transom bench seat.
I will look into a latch or strap to secure that.
Is there any suggestions for a mounting location for a fire extinguisher?
we mounted our fire extenguisher inside the console, on the aft side of the door (right side if looking in. right in front of where the hawse is for the wires/cables. that way it is behind the curtain, but still easily reachable.). the console material is thick enough in that area that we installed with screws instead of through bolting.
First I have to say you all have a great homepage!
I fish out of Johnspass most of the time.I am about
10 minutes from the baypines boat ramp and another
ten minutes out through Johnspass and into the Gulf.
Just inside the console door to the right for the fire
extinguisher,I'll look to see if that will work for me.
I have taken the curtain out while working on the under
side of the dash.
If my work schedule allows I'd like to try and fish some this
falls kingfish tournaments.I have caught quite a few kingfish
while trolling for grouper,But have not targeted kingfish.
It appears the waste holding tank requires pumping out at the dock. I was involved installing one in my boat last week, for the 1st time. I don’t usually allow that, I try and do the 1st one of everything. Had I known this I’d have work it differently, and I’m still looking into it.
Here’s what I found so far: Another pump and seacock will have to be installed to pump the holding tank overboard. The “Wye” valve directs the waste either to the holding tank or thru the overboard seacock. There is no way to reverse the flow since the holding tank is in the bilge 12 ft away. This is like everything else in building boats, a more expensive holding tank with a built in discharge pump. Plus the cost of wiring, seacock, labor…ect… My rep for this equipment is telling me he sees this set-up only on larger boats like Brand H and O 36’+ yachts, I haven’t verified that statement yet.
If any of you know different please let me know? As mentioned I added one to my 28’ Freedom and will have to run 9 miles to vacuum it out! I feel your pain! I will finally be creating the placard I promised last month for operating the head as time allows, but suffice to say I will have one for my boat before I allow the head to be used. Sounds*lax on my part*but I didn’t realize this was such an issue until I put mine in Thursday and asked “how to pump it out?” Got deer in the headlights look and knew they didn’t know….sigh. I want to hear one more time why my dad got into the boat business….lol.
Glad to hear the test run went well, I’m told by the SKA teams, this boat in a following sea actually loves throttle, push it forward until it doesn’t slam. As long as it feels SAFE TO YOU! But in the 24’ we have outrun 30+ footers in 5’ seas using this theory. At the dock these guys are shocked and asking “how we done that”? Got Salt may give a testimonial related to this. But it looks like you have figured it out based on your wave size and speed. For you 22 lookers following this the F22’ and F24’ have the same DNA I’m guessing it will be very close, the 2 degrees of deadrise I took out will even help stabilize it more.
I mount fire extinguishers in 2 places, on patrol boats, one in front of the right, rear T-Top leg on the console about 6” off the floor (The leg blocks it from snagging a leg) and the other portside rear above and behind the cockpit scuppers on the sidewall. I had a time finding these, but Ansul® makes a 2.5lb Fire extinguisher (we have) with an aluminum head, and painted SS bracket, like you could buy 10 years ago… Now the sexy one’s I’m putting on my 28’ are from www.eddiemarine.com*, (cool stuff $$$$) links below. Chrome plated Extinguishers and separate HD billet alum bracket. Yes an expensive addition, but dang…It looks so good!….lol and looking like this they’ll have to be on display.
I may be*late for you on this but still posting for others that may have similar questions.
Got Salt
I got to second the comments of Ed, that’s a great looking website, I pasted the link to everybody at the factory a few weeks ago. Some of the supervisors printed pages out to show the people who built the boat. They take a lot of pride when they see something they built represented so well. Stay in touch, I haven’t spoken to any of you since Miami and still haven’t met the whole crew. Hopefully the tournaments are going well? The web site scoreboard says so but I’m talking about everything else, running, working, and riding like you want it to.
Are both of you in the same area? I made a comment about meeting you Ed but I mixed your THT name up with another on a post in this thread. Hope to still meet you, I was thinking if you want to try a King Tournament, I’d comedown and we could fish as a three way group? A fledgling though, but let’s see what it turns into?
I’m getting ready to post the Build a Boat thread today/tonight so if I get silent just shoot me an e-mail at tht@mckeecraft.com I’m guessing that I’ll have my hands full once this gets started and I’ve already have enough technical and time issues that have made me tardy and slower to reply than I expected. I may have to give in and get help in answering some of the questions so I don’t EVER get so embarrassingly far behind again.
Ever need something just call me, that’s the reason we like the size company we are…we can “talk” to people. Typing is a different story for me….lol. Ya’ll be safe out there and feel free to contact me anytime.
I ended up installing the fire extinguisher port side on the transom wall as close
to the corner as possible.
I have also installed under gunnel rod racks.Four rods per side.(Be sure the forward
rack allows enough room for the tip of your rod at the transom).While trailering I like
to keep the rods out of sight in case I stop for gas, food or ice.
I trolled some ballyhoo for the first time this past Sunday.(getting ready for a trip to
the Keys)Caught one huge Barracuda and had another good strike.Used a blue and white skirt,until I dropped it while cutting the barracuda loose.Ialso caught 5 or 6
grouper,the two I brought home were 8 and 16 pound red grouper.
The 23 performed great! I ran just under 4000 rpms that put me between 36 and41
MPH.
My next projects will be to install brackets and run wiring for some electric
downriggers,and possibly install a battery charger.
i can show you a SUPER easy way to do those electric downrigger--we have electrics as well. works well, easier than running too much wire and 'turns off and on' with the batt switches.
Ed: I got a really cool hotel link in Islamorada with dockage if you are interested. We went down as a family event 2 July the 4ths ago, had a blast with the Mahi Mahi offshore, kids loved alligator light for snorkeling, and we were in a 185 Bay Classic so we were able to get on the flats for small Mangrove Snapper (hey they were a thrill to a 5 year old*on a Snoopy pole!)*and 4-6 ft sharks on light tackle. We never figured out the Tarpon except they were everywhere,*but not biting anything we set for them....lol Anyway if you've been* you probally know all this, If not I can add a few things. Good Luck.
Got Salt,
Did you use the 1" conduit we have glassed in the cap to pull the wires in for the down riggers? Was it big enough?
the conduit running under the gunnels was perfect when we ran the monster cable speaker wires for our under gunnel stereo speakers (photos on our website)
for the downriggers....we used the port/starboard rear battery wiring lugs located in the bilge. the riggers we have are low voltage (vectortek.com) and have built-in fault resets. i did add an inline fuse, anyway . the access to the lugs was easy through the bildge access door. all i had to do was remove the nuts for each pos/neg lead and place our low voltage wire connectors on the lug and replace the nut. less wire used (only about 2' or so per rigger), so less draw/drop because the short wire, less time in rigging and wiring, no additional stress on the house battery which already is taking care of a lot of business. and by having them in this location, when i turn off port/starboard batteries, i know the wiring for the riggers is dead, as well. since they are only drawing juice when the rigger motor is being activated, there is really no draw on the port/starboatd batteries. and the riggers are only in use when the engines are running, anyway. we are using an in-line connector in lieu of a 'plug', so each wire set and connector are run over the little space under the gunnel, over the rear bulkhead area. key, im sure you know where im talking about, but if someone else needs a visual, i can take a photo and forward it. a plug would have been neater, but i have not really found one i love just yet. our install was quick, neat and cheap and does the job very well. hundreds of hours and hundreds of miles with not a hitch!
a plug would have been neater, but i have not really found one i love just yet. our install was quick, neat and cheap and does the job very well. hundreds of hours and hundreds of miles with not a hitch!
Salt,
Take a look at the Anderson powerpole connectors. We use them for our 12 volt ham radio gear. They are really reliable and go together in a snap.
We had a great time in the Keys! Even though the wind was howling we made it out to 200ft
plus near Sombreo Key and caught a Kingfish over 25 lbs.I was suprised with the water temp
well into the 80's.
The boat performed great.We also did some snorkeling on the gulf side.I was glad I got
the Bluechart chip for my Garmin.The details were unbelievably accurate.
We also did a little offshore trip here in St.pete on thursday the wind was directly into
us on the ride out.I kept it at just over 30mph and we rode out 40 miles to a spring in
110 ft of water.We trolled up eight or ten grouper,4 that were real nice keepers.
We also caught a couple of amberjack,one of them snapped 100lb leader right at
the boat.
The only small problem we had was a Shurflo livewell pump acted up on us.
I contacted shurflo and they said they would replace it with a new one.
Thanks for all the suggestions on the electric downriggers.
Ed Stone
I think the 22 and the 24 have the same console and probably the same size inside. Maybe the 24 might be just a tad taller due to steeper deadrise but probably wouldnt amount to much difference. I would characterize the room as average for class. I will try to take a pic of mine at some point.
23/24 Mckee Craft Freedom 
. the access to the lugs was easy through the bildge access door. all i had to do was remove the nuts for each pos/neg lead and place our low voltage wire connectors on the lug and replace the nut. less wire used (only about 2' or so per rigger), so less draw/drop because the short wire, less time in rigging and wiring, no additional stress on the house battery which already is taking care of a lot of business. and by having them in this location, when i turn off port/starboard batteries, i know the wiring for the riggers is dead, as well. since they are only drawing juice when the rigger motor is being activated, there is really no draw on the port/starboatd batteries. and the riggers are only in use when the engines are running, anyway. we are using an in-line connector in lieu of a 'plug', so each wire set and connector are run over the little space under the gunnel, over the rear bulkhead area. key, im sure you know where im talking about, but if someone else needs a visual, i can take a photo and forward it. a plug would have been neater, but i have not really found one i love just yet. our install was quick, neat and cheap and does the job very well. hundreds of hours and hundreds of miles with not a hitch!
