Review of my Key West 188 BR Bay Reef Boat 

Thanks for the compliment. I can’t honestly tell you an out the door price Equipped like mine new since a lot of the extras I did the labor myself I would assume about 70k parts and labor. I had the electronics done at Key West I went with the CL5 digital engine monitor, 10” Garmin and a thru Hull and transom mount transducers along with trolling motor wiring to anchor locker. I also had the Yamaha painted to match the hull. A lot of those cost would just add to the model you choose. My suggestion would be to buy the size you want and can afford. Also consider what you’re using the boat for and depth of waters in your area. Also keep in mind the engine cost for the size your looking for and make sure it has enough power for you. To make it simple with the F150 around 50 to 60k depending on factory options. Hope this helps you out and whatever you choose I’m sure you’ll love it!

Thanks Shane I have a 60” 80lb and it works great I would recommend this length for most situations and it raises up when necessary for shallow areas.

I agree. I just bought this boat. I went with 60" and glad I did especially in rough water.

Hi Purchased the boat in South Carolina at Palmetto Boat Center Salesman Christian. The total length with engine strait out to the swing tongue is 23’

That price sounds about right. fully loaded with a 150 I was around 60k also but it was a few years ago

Also mine didn’t have sea deck when i bought it. Added it later

I did the labor myself. My cost was just for the Decking materials which I bought a little at a time as I added projects to my boat. My cost was about $800 to a Grand. I would assume labor would double that cost depending on designs and such.

Excellent, I'm sure you saved a ton of $. Dealers normally seem to mark up the product some also. Thank you.

Yes has a swing away mine sit diagonally also I have a 2 car garage and my garage door is only 7’ high but my ceiling is about 10’. To clear the door I needed the removable grab bar and windshield. I also lower power poles when I put it in the garage and raise them back up inside.

Congratulations on your new boat. It’s 6” jack plate and the power poles mount on a bracket that mounts to jack plate.

The Guy that builds them for Key West built it. It originally came with stainless steal Allen screws that threaded into the base. The problem with that was Stainless and the aluminum would bind. What I did was got larger Stainless Allen’s and some stainless wing nuts. Removed thread in aluminum base so it works more like a strait through screw and the wing nut holds it tight this stoped the stainless to aluminum binding and made it a lot easier to remove.

Yes they are factory flip up and also came with a base and shaft. I would not use the shafts if cruising just plug them into the base. And there is two in the back I would use for that. Also check out the bing bag chairs they may be a good option in the gunnel area.

23’ from Motor strait to fold away hitch the fold away is 3’ 1” so without the fold away you would be about 26’ long. My boat wouldn’t fit without the fold away also my garage door height is 7’ I also need the removable grab bar and wind shield for it to fit. Also I have a two car garage and it sits in my garage on a diagonal

@@jim188brsouthflorida4 thanks for the info. It’s going to be tight for me too.

It does great but it does add weight to the back. would definitely get trim tabs low speeds would be rough without them because of the weight. Also keep in mind I also have a Atlas 6” Jack Plate that i adjust engine height with and trim up. But it does fly fully loaded which is why i got the 150.

Thanks. What size trim tabs do you have?

@claytonfiedler4736 Hi They are 12” wide x 9” long

@@jim188brsouthflorida4 My 188BR turns up in about 2 months and looking at getting a Garmin Kraken trolling motor for it. Do you think the 63" shaft would be ok and not come out of the water in small chop? Next shaft length is 75" and I thought that would be too long and get in the way. Would love to hear your thoughts from experience with the 188BR.

I’m very happy cruising in the 30s I’m seeing 6mpg. I don’t know if the 115 gets better gas mileage but I bet loaded down the 150 might be a little better but both are capable I just prefer to max hp and top speed is better loaded or unloaded with the 150.

I haven’t yet I need to get a legit push pole for it. I just use a boat hook pole to push myself around if I get too shallow. After I get a legit push pole and try it I will let you know my thoughts. Thanks

I use it in canals and lakes and it does great. I don’t know about rivers however. It is a very versatile boat it’s pad lets it draft at 12” I usually fish shallow water 2’ or shallower. So what I like about this boat is the leaning post with the step it helps with quick site of fish and underwater obstacles while driving the boat. Hope this helps

@@jim188brsouthflorida4 Thank you for the feedback.

I’ve been in some Rough chop will definitely get wet. The boat cuts through waves nicely and will push most water away from the boat. I have been out when flats boats are no where to be seen. But it is only 19’ feet and the gunnels are not that deep. So nice conditions are recomended It’s a great fishing boat though great access to water all the way around the boat.

@@jim188brsouthflorida4 would you mind taking video of it in chop?

I may have some video from in the boat will see. If not I’m sure I will get some footage of it eventually.