Feedback on the Key West 1720

Looking to replace my 15’ Scout with a 17’-something. The Scout is a great boat for the Cooper and Ashley rivers, but a little small for the harbor and going up/down the ICW. I have a 22’ CC for offshore fishing and such, I just want something that I can keep beside the house and hook up, drag to the water and bring back without too much hassle.

The 17’ Key West seems to be a popular boat around here. I’m looking at some 1720’s from the mid-90’s to early 2000’s, and need to know what are some concerns I might have with this boat from a construction, ride and handling standpoint?

I’m seeing boats with everything from 2-stroke 75’s to 115’s on the back. I’ve never complained of too much power (hell, my little Scout has a 70!). Will a 90 or even a 75 push this boat OK with 2-4 people?

Thanks in advance.

Loosewire,

I have a 96 1720 with a 2005 90 Johnson(V4) and the 90 pushes it pretty good, the max hp rating is 120. Plenty of get up and go with the live well full and 2 to 3 folks on board. The fit and finish is average, the mid 90’s and newer hulls have no wood in them, and is a good sturdy inshore boat. I have been out to the nearshore reef in mine on a good day, the ride is not great but acceptable, on the days where the harbor is nasty you do have to go slow, but always feel safe. I have a 24volt MinnKota 80lb trolling motor on mine and fish lots of relatively shallow water, it not a flats boat but you can fish fairly shallow water with the trolling motor. Things that bug me about the boat are, 1st with 1 or more folks in the back while not running the scuppers are underwater, so your need the anti-backflow scupper covers or something, I have them but do always have some water in the back while fishing, it always runs out when the boat is moving, 2nd the trapezoid shaped console cooler seat cover, if you have rods holders on either side of the console, when you open the cooler seat it always catches on the forward rods.

But in summary I think for the price it is a great little boat for the IOC, harbor and rivers.

Pursuitgang (RealTime)

2486 Triton w/twin Suzuki DF140s (RealTime)
1720 KeyWest 90 Johnson

I have one powered with a 90 yam 4 stroke. Porpoising is my only real issue other than what Pursuit says about the wet feet in back.

Key West 1720cc
Yamaha f90

I have a late 80s’ 1720 with a 88’ 110 johnson. Ride is good but do have to back off some in choppy water. There is some porpoiseing issues but I have been told it’s because there isn’t enough weight up front. Don’t want trim tabs because I don’t want extra drag. The fin on the motor doesn’t help either. Porpoiseing only occurs when trying to trim back too far. If you take 2 people with you just have one sit on front deck. Mine did it with the 90hp as well. Of course being late 80s’ it has wood in it and now is kinda water logged so one of the newer ones will out run it with the 90. Have seen a couple with 70 yammies on them.

The best boat/hp/weight match for the 1720 is a Yam 90hp-2stroke. Thats what I would keep a look out for

I have a 1720 with a 90 honda and my dad has one with a 70 Johnson 2 stroke. I,ve driven both and the seventy is ok with 2 people on board and a little underpowered with 3. The 90 is about right although the ‘98 I have is heavy for the class and makes the scupper problem even worse. The scupper issue is my major issue with the boat and the narrow space between the console and side is tricky when in rough water to cross by. I’m having some gas tank issue and the gas tank is near impossible to access. There is no access panel to remove it if need be. Bot good to go to jettys or further if 3’. I would say if you are looking for an up grade from your 15’ go a little bigger to a 19’ or 21 Sea Pro2100sv orsomething in that class. Good luck in your search.

lol - thanks for confirming what I said about the boat/weight/hp ratio

I had my sights on an '02 with a 90 Yamaha, but by the time I committed to the trip to Edisto, the seller already had a buyer on the way from Myrtle Beach. I then tested a 2000 with a 115 'Rude. (It’s about 50 lbs. heavier than the 90 Yam. but like I said, I’ve never complained about too much power) It was choppy when we took the boat out, but it did well for a boat that size…much better than my Scout. The boat & motor checks out well with even compression, but needs some trailer bearings and lights which the seller agreed to replace.

As for the fuel tank, so many boats these days in that category have fuel tanks that are nearly impossible to access without cutting out the floor. That’s the chance you take buying a 10+ year old boat.

Bought my '03 1720 brand new and love it. It’s perfect for inshore, shrimping, even going out to the jetties and the near shore reef. The 90 2-stroke is a perfect match. It’s a great all around boat for the lowcountry.

My only gripe is no gunwale rod storage, although the new 2010 models have that now.

KeyWest 1720cc 90 Ymha
www.FishCFA.org

quote:
Originally posted by hi_c

My only gripe is no gunwale rod storage


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I’ve never had those a boat this size anyway, so I’d proably get spoiled if I did!:smiley:

I had a 1720CC key west a few years ago. It was nice but just not alot of room. Moved to a sv1900 sea pro and had alot more room in it. Jighead(Beaufort section) has a 1720 SIDE console. I like his better than my old 1720cc. There is a ton more room in the side console. Might be worth looking into? He may chime in here with some more info

06 sea pro 1900sv
“Reel Estate”
06 14ft Alumnacraft

yea you better have some plugs for the back if you want your feet to be dry. my friend has a 176(which is in classifieds) that doesn’t have that problem.

My KW1720 is powered by a 115 horsepower 2 stroke Johnson. I get up to 48mph with 2 240 pound adults. If you are planning on chasing Stripers then I would reccomend a 115 over a 90…The 115 jumps out of the hole and planes out much much quicker. I pull the throttle back to 4000 rpm and cruise around 28-32 mph. Yes you will get water from the rear of the boat anytime you come to a stop…thats my only complaint so far.

Key West 1720 115 HP Johnson Saltwater.

'96 KW 1720 w/ '96 85HP Yamaha. The water is my only complaint. Duck Bill scuppers have helped with that problem. It’s strange that some have a problem wit porpoising, mine does not. Good luck w/ the new to you ride.

Growing old is MANDATORY, Growing up is OPTIONAL!

Had a 2003 with a 90 Johnson, ran 46-48 on gps with two adults and full tank. Does porpoise if not trimmed properly, never had a problem with water from scuppers, mine had the ping pong ball stops installed. But I did keep it in my garage and with the poly tank it would weep a fuel smell when stored inside and at first I thought I had a fuel leak all tested ok new fuel lines installed and filter put outside by motor, KW told me it was an weep scientific phenominom and had a paper telling you it was from the poly tank and there was no leak, never had fuel in bildge so I left it at that. Was a great boat and stable when fishing two people, drew about 15-19 inches of water, reccomend for what you want.

03 1720 Key West

I have an 02 1720cc with a 90 yamaha 2 stroke that I’ve been very happy with. I have a little problem with water getting in through the scuppers, depending on how much load is in the boat, but not a big deal. The newer models have been redesigned, I think, to help eliminate that problem.
I have 3 batteries and a trolling motor, and run from 34-39 gps. I have a duo-fin for getting on plane quicker in shallow water, but it really gets on plane ok without it. Very well-made boat for the buck, imo.

Blackwaterkatz

dont they make a 176 thats wider?

So far the 1720 has exceeded my expectations. We have been out on it 3 times since Labor Day and it has performed very well. My wife didn’t think she would like it at first, but realizes now how much more boat it is than the 15’ Scout. In fact she wants to drive it all the time now! I do see what y’all mean about the wet feet though…even with the ball scuppers, but two drain plugs solve that problem when I am fishing.

I have done a little work to the boat the last couple of weeks getting it the way I want it. So far I’ve installed all new switches, new speakers, a stereo from a previous boat and a Perko battery switch. After the first trip out, I removed all the old gas from the fuel tank, replaced the fuel gauge (since it was stuck on full even after I pumped out the remaining 5 gallons of gas) and installed a Racor filter with sight bowl.

On Friday, I installed the trolling motor bracket for my remote control MotorGuide, but I’ve still got to replace the trolling motor plug and that has proven to be a real *****. The wire is tightly secured somewhere in the boat and I cannot pull the old plug far enough out of the hole to access the wires to install a new plug. I guess I’ll give KW a call to see if they have any suggestions. I hope there is a simple fix since there is extra 6 ga. wire coiled up in the battery box, and I want to put the TM battery in the console and install an on-board charger.

It’s a work in progress, but it’s what I enjoy doing.

Sounds great.
So are you planning on selling the 15’ Scout?

quote:
Originally posted by areeldrag

Sounds great.
So are you planning on selling the 15’ Scout?


Sold it on Labor Day to the first person who came to look at it.