Key West 179 FS Boats For Sale

The Key West 179 FS is the smallest model in the brand's Family Sportsman line, a 17-foot 9-inch center console built for fishing days and family outings with a 7-foot 4-inch beam and capacity for six people. It rides on a deep, high-sided hull that's foam-filled throughout, which cuts down on hull slap and meets the highest flotation standard recognized by the US Coast Guard, keeping the boat level and upright even when fully swamped. One practical advantage that sets it apart for trailer owners: with the removable windshield and grab rail, the 179 FS sits low enough to clear a standard 7-foot garage door, and on a folding-tongue trailer it can fit inside a typical garage with the door closed, avoiding storage fees.

Power comes from a single outboard, with the hull rated up to 140 horsepower. A Yamaha 115 four-stroke is the common pairing and pushes the boat to roughly 44 to 45 mph depending on load. The model is efficient enough to run into the low 40s with as little as 90 horsepower, which keeps fuel costs down for shoppers watching their budget. Engines are typically rigged with a stainless steel prop and mounted on a slight setback for cleaner planing and a smoother, higher-bow ride. Fuel capacity runs from a 35-gallon tank in some configurations to 40 gallons in others.

The helm uses a tilt hydraulic steering system (SeaStar) with a stainless steel steering wheel that adjusts up and down for sitting or standing. The console has a generous flat surface for flush-mounting electronics, and boats are commonly fitted with a 9-inch Simrad or 7-inch Garmin touchscreen GPS and fish finder, the Garmin paired with a GT56 transducer. Yamaha analog or digital gauges, a Ritchie compass, backlit labeled rocker switches and a Clarion AM/FM Bluetooth stereo with four speakers (two midship, two aft) round out the dash, with USB and audio inputs available. Bennett electric trim tabs are an option, and a footrest-and-storage combo is molded into the back of the console.

Storage and fishing features are heavily worked into the layout. The bow has an under-deck anchor locker with a flush, recessed-hinge lid and a cleat for the bitter end, plus a large storage compartment, a forward casting step, and a lockable insulated box for life jackets and gear. A front-facing console seat lifts to reveal a cooler, and the console interior holds the batteries below a false floor with a dual-battery selector switch mounted outside for easy access. The trolling motor harness is factory pre-wired, so adding a spot-lock bow motor later is straightforward. Rod storage is molded into the gunnels on each side, and a leaning post carries four rocket launchers over a slide-out cooler.

Toward the stern, the boat stays self-bailing so water drains off the deck rather than relying on the bilge pump, and a raw-water washdown clears bait and weed overboard. The transom holds a roughly 26-gallon usable live well with an aerated spray, a centered fold-up rear seat for good weight distribution, and a removable storage bucket that lifts out for full bilge and pump access. Cockpit bolsters, pop-up cleats, recessed fender cleats and a two-step swim ladder add comfort and convenience. Common options include a Key West four-bow Bimini top giving about 7.5 feet of shade, underwater and courtesy lights, and a Magic Tilt aluminum trailer, with color choices such as Marathon Blue. For buyers comparing Key West 179 FS boats for sale, it stands out as a deep, fishable 17-footer that's easy to tow, store and run.