WE SAY A day of casting for stripers
with three anglers aboard the 263FS
proved that the builder didn’t sacrifice
fishability to add family features to this
model, yet we found plenty of lounging
space and creature comforts aboard. The
bow provides a perfect example: Rather
than add removable backrests for the bow
seats — which ofer dubious comfort, get
in the way when fishing, and are bulky
and dicult to stow — Key West molds
in curved seat backs that protrude from
the inwales. We discovered that the bow
seats were among the comfiest we’ve ever
plopped down in, yet they interrupted
our fishing eforts a little more than other
seat-back options might.
All the angling prerequisites are present
and accounted for, ranging from a pair of
livewells in the transom to copious flush-
mounted gunwale rod holders and rocket
launchers (there are 22 holders in total).
KEY WEST
263FSSPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
rpm knots mph gph naut. mpg stat. mpg range range n. mi. s. mi. angle levelsound
1000 4.5 5.1 1.5 3.0 3.41 467 536 0 66
1500 6.4 7.4 2.3 2.8 3.20 438 507 0 68
2000 7.7 8.8 4.2 1.8 2.10 287 330 2 70
2500 10.3 11.8 6.5 1.6 1.81 248 286 5 73
3000 16.1 18.5 7.5 2.1 2.47 338 389 3 76
3500 20.7 23.7 9.6 2.2 2.48 339 389 2 80
4000 24.5 28.2 11.9 2.1 2.37 324 373 2 84
4500 27.7 31.8 13.1 2.1 2.43 332 382 2 86
5000 32.5 37.3 18.9 1.7 1.98 270 311 2 88
5500 37.2 42.7 25.2 1.5 1.70 232 267 2 89
6000 42.7 49.0 32.3 1.3 1.52 208 239 2 90
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED·LOA: 26'3" ·BEAM: 9'3" ·DRAFT: 1'6" ·DISPLACEMENT:
4,600 lb. ·WATER CAPACITY: 12 gal. ·FUEL CAPACITY:- gal.
HOW WE TESTED
ENGINE: TWIN 175 HP YAMAHA F175 OUTBOARDS PROP:
14.25" X 18" 3-BLADE STAINLESS STEEL GEAR RATIO: 1.86:1
FUEL LOAD: 855 GAL. CREW WEIGHT: 550 LB.More about those rocket launchers: Grab
a couple of the ones mounted on the hard-
top and try doing a few chin-ups. You’ll
find the pipework and hardtop are rock-
solid, which is indicative of the way the
entire boat is built. The molded stringer
grid is pumped full of foam, Coremat adds
stifness in the decks and hull sides, and
biaxial glass reinforces critical areas.
The side gunwale door is an unusual
find on a boat of this size, and
rather than go all the
way down to deck level, it
swings open about halfway
down. Flip it open to find
an integrated telescopic
reboarding ladder inside.
—Lenny RudowWHO’D WANT ONE
Anglers who place a
premium on comfort.TESTS ///#3079ANOTHER CHOICE Scout’s 255 LXF
is another center console fishing boat
that’s family-friendly ($130,621 with
twin 150s).BOTTOM LINE $123,125;
keywestboatsinc.comPHOTO: COURTESY KEY WEST BOATS INC.