KEY WEST BOATS FORUM-Just saying hi (2024)

3:17 PM - 6 days ago#12024-06-06T15:17+00:00

Hello all, this is my first post here so I wanted to introduce myself because I think I may have found my next boat and it's a Key West!
First I've gotta say how refreshing it is to read such an informative forum without the drama, name calling and condescending tone so prevalent on other forums. It's also a huge bonus to have regular contributors and members here who actually work for Key West.
Anyway, I've stroked you all enough. I'm in the market for a 17'-19' CC. I'll be using the boat for fishing and exploring the areas around the central gulf coast of Florida staying in shore mostly. A large percentage of the time I'll be launching and operating the boat solo. My budget is just to keep it under $20k.
The 1720 is the obvious choice for my needs and that's what I'm looking at, but I'm curious about the 176 and the 189 of which I don't see many around.
I'm going to continue to lurk around and try to pick up as much info as I can on these boats.

3:37 PM - 6 days ago#22024-06-06T15:37+00:00

Hello and welcome.
good luck on your search
you could maybe add the 186, 1900 and 2020 (basically a 19' with a pulpit) to your list

'01 2020DC w/txrz 150

8:35 PM - 5 days ago#32024-06-07T20:35+00:00

Welcome! I can’t say enough about the 1720. It’s a great sized boat for one or two people with occasional tag-alongs. You can get into shallow spots without worrying about being out on some bigger water. Maintenance is not a pain in the butt when you can reach most of the boat from the ground when it’s trailered. Enjoy whatever you end up with.

11:44 AM - 3 days ago#42024-06-09T11:44+00:00

I've had a 176BR w 115 Yam for years and love it. The 176CC might suit you better if you will be venturing offshore a bit, but my guess is that the difference in freeboard between the two is only a couple inches or so. Running surface is the same. Essentially the same boat with a different deck cap. BR has a rear casting deck and the CC has a larger co*ckpit and a bit more fretboard.

5:41 PM - 3 days ago#52024-06-09T17:41+00:00

Mathias, thank you for that.

4:36 PM - 2 days ago#62024-06-10T16:36+00:00

12:29 AM - 2 days ago#72024-06-11T00:29+00:00

3:40 PM - 1 day ago#82024-06-11T15:40+00:00

It's hard to say - the 176 just "feels" bigger for whatever reason. They both have their place - the 176 is better in rougher waters (tho not much) and the 1720 can be easier to get the dogs in and out of (we both take Labradores/Goldens everywhere we go). I think the 1720 gets more love because it was the first of it's size/style in the KW family and tehre were limited options back in the day. For the boaters that wanted bigger freeboard or just a bit larger, it made more sense to go to the 1900 or 186. The 176 had a much smaller niche (IMHO). We would both make the same choices, but that's because we weren't specifically looking for these boats. When my brother got his, I had a larger boat and he was looking. The 1720 was my dad's and he was looking to move to a pontoon so that made sense. Then when I was looking in the 17'-19' range, this was available for a great price (the estate of of friend of mine that passed was looking to sell and didn't want to hassle - just wanted blue book). So it made sense. Unfortunately I don't have any great pics of them side-by-side. Here are a few of them in the water so you can compare a bit. The yellow is a 2007 176CC and the white is a 1998 (I think that's the year) 1720CC.

7:54 PM - 1 day ago#92024-06-11T19:54+00:00

9:31 PM - 1 day ago#102024-06-11T21:31+00:00

9:49 PM - 1 day ago#112024-06-11T21:49+00:00

12:19 PM - 1 day ago#122024-06-12T12:19+00:00

12:19 PM - 1 day ago#132024-06-12T12:19+00:00

7:43 PM - 1 day ago#142024-06-12T19:43+00:00

8:00 PM - 1 day ago#152024-06-12T20:00+00:00

Thanks Jim, I've seen your videos on YouTube. Good stuff.