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Cruising back from Stellwagen Bank this summer I noticed a center console
gaining on me as I cruised back towards Pamet River. The boat’s profile looked
familiar. It slowly passed us, heading for our common destination. She looked
like my 22 foot Key West. Back at the ramp I met Jack Kay (“Key West Jack”) and
took a close look at his boat. It was a Key West allright, but it made my boat
look like a bare bones dingy. I asked Jack if he would mind if I featured his
boat on our website because many CC owners who come into the shop are looking
for help with outfitting their center consoles for serious fishing, everything
from flounder to Bluefin Tuna. Jack’s boat has been
outfitted like few that I have seen. Jack is also very knowledgeable when it
comes to electronics, a subject that has caused more than a few of us to shake
our heads. So come aboard as I take you on a tour of “I AM NOW”, Jack Kay’s 225
Key West Center Console
First let me give you the basics. Jack’s boat is a 2006, Key West 225 CC. It
has a length of 22.5’, an 8.5 ft beam and weighs about 2700 lbs (without all of
the goodies). It carries 100 gallons of fuel, is powered by a Honda 225 HP four
stroke and has a 21 degree deadrise. It was these basic features along with the
layout and detail that made me fall for my 2001 Key West 2200 CC. The Key West
looks like a typical 22 ft. center console but when you climb aboard you begin
to appreciate the thoughtful layout, finish and features. The gunwale height is
just right (above the knees), and it is padded where you will fight the fish.
The bow area is built up and does not have that annoying “cut out” up the center
leaving no fishing platform and tempting anglers to try and stand on the narrow
“seat” that wraps around the bow area on many center consoles. The raised
platform in the bow of the Key West is a stable fishing platform and provides
three good sized fish boxes underneath. The flared hull knocks down spray and
the Key West is a dry ride. Aft there is a built in live well that is not in
the way and the pump serves the dual purpose of a salt water wash down. The
T-Top is sturdy with a large electronics box and has support areas for mounting
outriggers. The Key West comes with ample rod storage to which Jack has made
significant additions. The boat has trim tabs a feature that we will discuss in
more detail later.
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One of the first things you notice about Jack’s Key West is the anchor system he
has installed on the bow. Jack decided to close up the hatch that stores the
stock anchor and mount a Lewmar windlass along with a Hydro Bubble anchor. The
system is heavy duty. The anchor boasts 1200 pounds pulling resistance yet can
be vertically pulled out of the sand with 65 pounds of force. Jack can fit 400
feet of ½ inch rode (Jack recommends braided rope) and 30 feet of chain in the
Key West locker. All of this is conveniently operated from a switch on the
console.
 The
Taco Grand Slam outriggers are the next thing to catch your eye. How
many of us have thought about outriggers for our center consoles but
never quite come through? Jack did it in style. The Taco’s can be
operated from below with adjustments for angle. With 1 ½ inch diameter
poles the outriggers are sturdy enough to pull two of the largest
Hook-Up spreader bars. The 18 foot poles add over 30 feet to the
spread. If you do not have welded in plates like the Key West, you can
add Taco’s adjustable plates to your T-Top. On the aft T-Top Jack has
mounted a Taco Center Rigger. It carries a 12 foot 1 1/8 inch diameter
pole. It looks simple enough and adds to the spread. Jack recommends
extending the outrigger poles before you get underway as it is much
easier to do in the parking lot.
Jack
was not happy with his Raymarine E120 being mounted on the console (he wanted it
lower not blocking his vision) so he fabricated a modification to the console
using King Starboard material. He was then able to surface mount the unit which
also adds to the protection of the unit. Radar is a must for us who navigate
around Cape Cod. The fog can be so thick you cannot see your bow. The
Raymarine radome really stands out on top of Jack’s boat. It is a 4 kW unit
capable of spotting bird activity over the water! His radome also proudly
displays the Vietnam service decal. As a member of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club I
am looking forward to sharing a few stories over a cold beer or two.
Jack
has experience installing marine electronics and it shows on his boat. The
Raymarine E120 is backed up by a Hummingbird gps/sonar with side scan. With the
back-up gps Jack can have a zoomed in gps track on one screen and a wide view on
the other. Think about how useful that could be. Jack has also tied in an
electronic compass to enable the system to operate with accurate information of
bearing fed directly to the electronics and auto pilot. A flo-scan unit keeps
an accurate track on fuel status. Along with the VHF radio Jack has an
entertainment system that he swears he never uses but I saw a collection of
Seventies Greatest Hits discs hidden under some release gloves!
I
knew Jack was an electronics guru when I saw that his trailers “guide ons” have
signal lights that he fabricated. There is a dual battery set up and an onboard
weatherproof charger. Jack has also conquered the problem of his (mine/yours?)
navigation unit blinking
off
when you start your engine, a problem that has annoyed me for years. I will
save the solution for another article after mine is fixed and I understand his
solution!
In the bow area Jack has mounted a rack of rod holders where he can store his
bent butt stand up rods out of the way and in a secure location. The gaff,
harpoon and other goodies are stashed in and around the T-Top and out of the
way. There are two storage bags up under the T-Top canvas. The aft is from Key
West and the one forward is made by T-Bag. They offer good easy access to PFD’s
and extra clothing. Along the front of the T-Top Jack has installed six more
rod holders and there are two rod holders clamped on each side of the stainless
steel railings that add to a secure feeling when you are forward casting for
busting tuna!
 
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The Honda 225 motor is a thing of beauty but it his heavy. Tipping the scales
at almost 600 pounds it has the effect of moving the center of gravity aft and
causing the Key West to have a tendency to porpoise. Jack countered this by
adding 90 lbs of lead to the bow area and installing a Sting Ray Hydrofoil
Stabilizer to the motor that also helps him to get on plane faster. Jack added
dash indicators for his trim tabs and he can see the status of his tabs at all
times.
I. thought I had one thing on my Key West that Jack didn’t and that was my
T-Top canvas enclosure, one of the best investments that you can add on a center
console. But, Jack explained he has them but he takes them off when trailering
as they take a beating at high speed. Oh, well.
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A special thanks to “Key West Jack” for taking me aboard and showing me some of
his CC modifications. He has really taken a nice boat and made it better. As
the season comes to a close for us New Englanders it is time to think about
getting the boat ready for next year. There are always things to spend money
on. Get your priorities in order,
(radar is more important than outriggers if you fish east of Chatham!
), and make ready for next season.
Capt. Rich
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