Re: Old whaler or new Key West?
my 02...<br />I would go for the newer motor rig. An old motor on any type boat is more likely to strand you and make you brave the elements and hazards. Either boat will do the job fine. In an extreme situation you may need the structure of the BW but that is a looooog shot in the real world and can be GREATLY made up by good seamanship, correct safety gear, having SeaTow and good electronics that will get rescue to you quickly.<br /><br />If you stay -20' both will have full flotation. If you are concerned about ride in rough going the KW wins. If fuel burn matters, KW wins...older BWs are tanks and show it at the gas pump. If overall quality, resale and status matters it is easily BW.<br /><br />I see plenty of stock "price" boats (many KWs around Florida)out in the gulfstream and the only ones that don't come back are from motor problems or poor seamanship. Breaking up from poor quality and leaving you floating offshore is 99% a myth. Structural failure from design, construction and workmanship is also 99% a myth. I could ask which is safer?...floating in a BW offshore with the old motor not working or making it back home in a KW with new motor? There is no doubt the BW makes a better life raft.<br /><br /> <br />Last but not least...No offense to BW lovers but I fished a 17'Montauk cc for 2 years (mid 80s) and it was one of the worst riding and worst layouts ever. Sloping deck fwd provided poor footing, sloping low sides so no support except for aftermarket rails, itty bitty storage, wet, wet, wet., pound, pound pound, offshore was brutal, etc.. The replacement to the BW was a 20'cc SeaRay Laguna and so much better it wasn't a contest.
