Key West 177 Skiff Key Specifications
- LOA: 17'4"
- Beam: 7'0" (84")
- Dry Weight: 1,100 lbs
- Deadrise: 1.5° (essentially flat bottom)
- Max HP: 90 HP
- Fuel Capacity: 30 gallons
- Draft: 4-8" (ultra-shallow)
Cover Features
- Material: Solution-dyed marine fabric
- T-Top Integration: Fitted cutouts for T-Top legs
- Colors: Navy, Black, Charcoal
- Trailerable: Yes – highway-ready fit
- Warranty: Manufacturer warranty included
Additional information
Choose Your Cover Fabric
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
| Weight | 27 lbs |
|---|
Install
Please watch the video below for installation instructions!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Deadrise measures the angle of a boat's V-shaped cross-section. A 1.5° deadrise is essentially flat — the bottom rises only slightly from centerline to the gunwales. This flat design minimizes draft and allows the skiff to float in 4- to 8-inch water where deep-V boats would run aground. The trade-off is reduced rough-water performance, but for shallow-water fishing, this flat bottom is the entire point.
The 177 Skiff draws just 4-8 inches, compared to approximately 12-14 inches for the 176 Sportsman. This dramatic difference lets the skiff access backcountry flats, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines that are completely off-limits to traditional center consoles. If shallow-water access is your primary mission, nothing else in the Key West lineup matches the 177.
No. The 177 weighs just 1,100 lbs, so 90 HP provides excellent acceleration and cruise speed (likely 35-45 mph top end). The modest horsepower is actually intentional — lighter engines reduce weight, improve fuel economy, and create a nimbler boat that's easier to control in tight backcountry creeks. Many flats anglers prefer slower, more maneuverable boats to fast ones anyway.
The flat bottom and minimal deadrise mean the skiff is vulnerable in rough or choppy water — it will pound rather than knife through waves. The 177 is optimized for calm backcountry conditions and protected bays, not offshore runs. If you need offshore capability, the deeper-V 186 Sportsman or 239 FS models are better suited.
Charcoal gray is popular with flats anglers because it doesn't visually distract from the boat's functional profile and it performs well in sunny tropical environments. It's darker than light tan or sand colors (better UV protection) but less heat-absorbing than black, making it ideal for boats that sit in direct sun for long hours without shade structures.
Rinse your cover with fresh water after sandy trips to remove salt and grit. Use a soft brush to loosen embedded sand before rinsing. Sand particles can migrate into the fabric weave if left uncleaned, potentially causing micro-abrasion. A quick rinse takes 5 minutes and dramatically extends the cover's lifespan.
The 30-gallon tank is adequate for backcountry day trips — typically 4-6 hours of run time at cruise speed. Since flats boats operate in relatively confined areas (within 10-15 miles of launch), the fuel capacity is rarely limiting. Many anglers appreciate the lightweight fuel load because it reduces overall weight and draft.
It's completely custom. The flat-bottom geometry of the 177 is so different from traditional V-hulls that we pattern-cut this cover specifically for the skiff's unique shape. Generic tarps won't conform to the wide, flat gunwales or the minimal hull curve, resulting in loose, sagging fabric that doesn't protect properly.
Our solution-dyed marine fabric is treated with mildew-resistant chemicals, but prevention is key. Ensure your cover is completely dry before storing or rolling it up. If your boat sits in humid environments, periodically spray down the cover with fresh water to rinse away salt spray and algae spores. Store the cover in a well-ventilated area rather than in a damp garage.
No. Warranty coverage includes defects in materials and workmanship only. UV fading and salt spray erosion are considered normal wear for marine-exposed covers. However, our solution-dyed fabric is engineered to minimize fading and erosion far better than lesser alternatives, so your cover will age gracefully for many years.
Key West 177 Skiff T-Top Boat Cover — Ultimate Shallow-Water Specialist
The Key West 177 Skiff is purpose-built for the flats angler who measures water depth in inches rather than feet. With its ultra-shallow 4- to 8-inch draft and essentially flat 1.5° bottom, this 17’4″ hull will float where traditional center consoles run aground. The lightweight 1,100-lb dry weight and compact 7′ beam make it the ultimate trailer boat — launching and retrieving at remote flats access points where ramps are narrow or rough.
The 90 HP single outboard is perfectly matched to the skiff’s light weight and modest fuel capacity, prioritizing fuel efficiency over raw horsepower. This is a boat built for stealth, poling across grass beds and backcountry shallows, then electric trolling or slow-drift fishing when you reach the flat. The T-Top provides essential shade for eight-hour sight-fishing marathons, and our custom-fitted T-Top boat cover protects your skiff’s specialized hull shape while maintaining that iconic open-deck aesthetic.
Built Different: The Flat-Bottom Advantage
A flat bottom demands a different cover design than traditional V-hulls. The 177 Skiff’s wide casting deck, low freeboard, and minimal deadrise create a unique hull profile that generic covers simply won’t accommodate. Our skiff-specific pattern accounts for the broad, flat gunwales and the minimal curve from centerline to chine — resulting in a cover that wraps snugly without excess fabric bunching or loose corners.
The 4- to 8-inch draft is the magic number that separates true flats boats from compromise designs. This means you can pole or drift across seagrass, sand dollars, and shallow mangrove shorelines that are off-limits to deeper boats. The cover protects your ultralight hull and finishing during storage, essential since flats boats experience constant exposure to sun, salt, and sand.
T-Top Configuration for the Skiff
The T-Top on a 177 Skiff isn’t about cabin comfort or cruising speed — it’s about shade for extended sight-fishing sessions. Hours of scanning the water for tailing reds and permit demand UV protection, and the T-Top delivers it without adding weight or complexity. Our custom center console covers wrap the skiff’s hull below the hardtop frame, with fitted cutouts allowing the support legs to pass cleanly through the fabric. We also offer a 177 Skiff center console cover for boats without the T-Top configuration.
The charcoal gray color popular with 177 owners provides neutral aesthetics that don’t distract from the boat’s raw functionality. Charcoal also performs well in sunny backcountry settings — it’s darker than tan or gray alternatives but less heat-absorbing than black, creating an ideal balance for boats that spend long hours exposed to tropical sun.
Lightweight, Trailerable, Durable
At 1,100 lbs dry weight, the 177 Skiff is light enough to launch from hand-cart access points or primitive ramps. The narrow 7′ beam fits standard boat trailers, and the shallow draft means you’re never at the mercy of tide or seasonal shallow-water access. Every detail on this boat is engineered for minimal weight and maximum access to remote flats.
Your T-Top cover is engineered the same way — lightweight enough to handle solo installation, durable enough to protect your investment through years of shallow-water abuse (sand, mangrove branches, sun exposure), and fitted perfectly to the 177’s distinctive flat-bottom geometry.
Storage & Protection for Backcountry Boats
Flats boats often sit outdoors between trips, exposed to sun and salt spray. Unlike fleet-maintained charter boats, skiffs are typically owner-operated and stored in challenging environments — sandy beaches, mangrove-lined creeks, or unshaded marinas where shade structures are nonexistent.
A proper-fitting cover is essential for long-term durability. Our solution-dyed charcoal, navy, or black fabric resists UV fading and mildew, preserving your hull’s color and structural integrity through extended storage. Ready to protect your 177 Skiff for the season? Browse our colors above, or if you need a slightly larger platform, check out the Key West 176 Sportsman T-Top cover for a similar-sized boat with deeper-V capability.
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