Bought this thing last weekend and brought her home today. Its a 1995 Key West Explorer 1500. Got a good deal, but the boat is far from perfect. Lots of cleanup to do.
First off, despite my greatest hopes, it is just a mathematical certainty that the boat wont fit in my garage. Damn! I really wanted to store it out of the elements. Next best thing is to keep it in the fenced back yard. However, little did I know that the hil right outside the gate causes the trailer to bottom out....so I cant even put the thing back there. I am research quotes now to have a wide gate installed at another part of the fence so I can get the boat back there.
Which brings me to my question of boat covers. I need a good boat cover that will keep the uv and rain off the boat. Id like the motor protected as well. Should I get a custom fitted (more money) or a universal? Should I get a separate engine cover or a universal that isnseveral feet longer than the hull to allow enough slack to cover motor too?
Went to bass pro this evening and bought $150 of cleaning stuff. Lots of yellow staining on the hull. Got starbrite and marykate to try.
Also, after inspecting more thoroughly, there is going to be a need for some gelcoat repairs at some point. What prices does this work run? Hypothetically, what ballpark cost would it takes to regel the entire inside of this 15 foot boat and just touch up a few spots on the outside? We talking a few hundred or much more?
First off, despite my greatest hopes, it is just a mathematical certainty that the boat wont fit in my garage. Damn! I really wanted to store it out of the elements. Next best thing is to keep it in the fenced back yard. However, little did I know that the hil right outside the gate causes the trailer to bottom out....so I cant even put the thing back there. I am research quotes now to have a wide gate installed at another part of the fence so I can get the boat back there.
Which brings me to my question of boat covers. I need a good boat cover that will keep the uv and rain off the boat. Id like the motor protected as well. Should I get a custom fitted (more money) or a universal? Should I get a separate engine cover or a universal that isnseveral feet longer than the hull to allow enough slack to cover motor too?
Went to bass pro this evening and bought $150 of cleaning stuff. Lots of yellow staining on the hull. Got starbrite and marykate to try.
Also, after inspecting more thoroughly, there is going to be a need for some gelcoat repairs at some point. What prices does this work run? Hypothetically, what ballpark cost would it takes to regel the entire inside of this 15 foot boat and just touch up a few spots on the outside? We talking a few hundred or much more?
