Key West 281 Billistic Specifications
- LOA: 28' 0" | Beam: 9' 8" | Dry Weight: 5,600 lbs
- Draft: 16" | Deadrise: 20°
- Hull: Stepped-hull fiberglass, foam-cored, no-wood construction
- Engine Configuration: Twin outboards, 400–600 HP total
- Fuel Capacity: 215 gallons
- Cover Style: T-Top boat cover
Cover Features
- Fabric Options: 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric or premium Sunbrella acrylic
- Coverage Type: T-Top cover wraps hull below hardtop; hardtop remains exposed
- Construction: Reinforced stitching, hem cord at rubrail, adjustable tie-down straps
- Durability: Solution-dyed fabric (5–7 years); Sunbrella acrylic (8–10 years)
- Fit: Custom-fitted to Key West 281 Billistic specifications
- Protection: UV-resistant, water-repellent, mildew-resistant, breathable
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 | 38 lbs |
|---|
Install
Please watch the video below for installation instructions!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — this cover is pattern-cut specifically for the Key West 281 Billistic hull with a T-Top. It wraps the 28-foot stepped hull below the hardtop, with fitted cutouts for the T-Top support legs.
No. The cover works with the T-Top in place. The support legs pass through fitted cutouts in the fabric.
Yes. The Billistic’s stepped hull is a different profile than a standard deep-V, and our cover is pattern-cut specifically for that shape. It contours to the stepped hull precisely.
Yes. The cover extends past the transom and fully encloses both outboard engines in one continuous piece. No separate engine covers needed.
Two options: our heavy-duty 9oz solution-dyed polyester (the most popular choice) or premium Sunbrella acrylic canvas (the best for UV resistance and breathability). Both are solution-dyed for permanent colorfastness.
We recommend two people for the 281 Billistic given its 28-foot length and 9-foot-8-inch beam. Installation takes about 20 minutes — thread the T-Top legs through the cutouts, drape from bow to stern, and secure the straps.
Yes. The T-Top cover is ideal for lift-stored boats. The adjustable tie-down straps keep the cover secure in wind, and the T-Top frame creates a natural peaked shape that sheds rain.
Yes — the 281 Billistic is currently in production and is the most popular model in Key West’s Billistic lineup. Our cover fits all model years.
The cover is designed to accommodate standard T-Top configurations. Outrigger poles that fold down alongside the T-Top frame can typically be left in place. You’ll specify your exact T-Top configuration when ordering.
The cover is available in Navy, Black, and Charcoal. All three colors are solution-dyed for permanent colorfastness.
Key West 281 Billistic T-Top Cover — The Most Popular Billistic, Fully Protected
The Key West 281 Billistic is the most popular model in Key West’s high-performance lineup — a 28-foot stepped-hull center console with twin outboard power, a 215-gallon fuel tank, and the kind of offshore range that serious anglers demand. The Billistic’s patented fore/aft stepped hull runs a 20-degree deadrise that delivers faster hole shots, better fuel economy, and a drier ride than conventional deep-V hulls of similar size. Our custom-fitted T-Top cover wraps the entire hull below the hardtop — the center console, gunwales, seating for eight, and twin outboard engines — while leaving the fiberglass T-Top fully exposed above. At 28 feet long with a 9-foot-8-inch beam and 5,600 pounds dry, the 281 Billistic is a serious offshore platform that our cover is pattern-cut to match every curve.
The T-Top’s support legs pass through fitted cutouts in the cover fabric, creating a clean transition between the covered hull and the exposed hardtop. The cover slopes downward from the T-Top frame, draping smoothly to the bow and stern. At the stern, the fabric extends past the transom to fully enclose both outboard engines. A hem cord cinches along the rubrail while the bottom edge reaches nearly to the waterline.
Built for the Billistic’s Stepped-Hull Profile
The Billistic’s stepped hull is a fundamentally different shape than a standard deep-V — and our cover is pattern-cut specifically for that unique profile. Choose our heavy-duty 9oz solution-dyed polyester — the most popular option for its rugged durability and colorfastness — or upgrade to premium Sunbrella acrylic canvas for the best UV resistance and breathability available. Both fabrics are solution-dyed through the entire fiber, so color stays locked in permanently.
Twin-Engine Coverage
The 281 Billistic runs twin outboards up to 300 HP each, and our cover encloses both engines completely in one continuous piece — no separate engine covers needed. For the 281’s size, we recommend two people for installation — it takes about 20 minutes to thread the T-Top legs through the cutouts, drape from bow to stern, and secure the straps.
Explore More Covers
Need weather protection beyond a cover? Check out our center console curtains for additional shielding. Want the biggest Billistic? See our Key West 351 Billistic T-Top cover. Looking for a similar-size conventional hull? Browse our Key West 291 FS T-Top cover.
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