Origin and ownership
Key West Boats was founded in 1981 by the Walters family in Georgia. The brand has stayed family-held throughout and has not been acquired or licensed.
Production has stayed in Riceboro, Georgia, single-site. The brand grew through the 1990s and 2000s as the value-tier saltwater segment expanded.
Design philosophy
The Key West hull form is moderate-V (typically 18 to 22 degrees at the transom). Designed for inshore and light-offshore saltwater use.
Yamaha is the standard outboard rigging. Construction is fiberglass with composite stringers.
Used-market notes and known issues
Yamaha F300 V6 cylinder-wall corrosion pattern on pre-2018 hulls warrants an inspection without documented annual fresh-water flush.
Hardware grade requires periodic refresh in saltwater service.
Hardtop powder-coat shows pitting in salt-heavy markets at five years.
Dealer network concentrated in the Southeast and Gulf.
Resale
Key West holds resale at the mid-tier average. Three-year depreciation runs 20 to 28 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 35 to 42 percent.
Where Key West fits
Buyers cross-shop Key West against Sea Hunt, Sea Pro, and Robalo. The argument is the family-held build discipline at mid-tier pricing. Buyers who prioritize resale should pay up for Whaler or Grady.
