Boat Walk Through - Contender 27

[@albertchesnes4138]

Came across your channel a few weeks ago and just wanted to say how much I enjoy your content. Find myself binge watching. Keep up the great work, really one of the best I have seen.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

really happy to hear that! and thanks for taking the time to share!

[@jayjohnson9668]

My kid cousin bought a 32’ Contender a few yrs back and I have fished on it many times. I love that boat. We go inshore reef fishing and offshore with it. It performs awesome in all conditions! Love that boat.I think you are gonna love yours too. Contenders are badass. Congrats bro🤟🤟👍😎

[@KeyWestWaterman]

they are great boats!

[@sammcvea1069]

Love the bottle of rum idea. Good video Sir 📹 👍

[@KeyWestWaterman]

just in case!

[@kurtanddebbieveltre1375]

That Hemingway rum is so smooth!! Best rum I ever had. Aaron got class boys and girls. Haha

[@KeyWestWaterman]

its def up there for me! top 3 for sure!

[@christiankrauter195]

Pretty Nice boat a little dirt but it’s the natural state of money maker machine 😎💪🏻 always good rum on board👍🏻

[@KeyWestWaterman]

she could use a good scrubbing!

[@borikennautical6649]

We have the opportunity to see with details the fish slaughter boat! I like the rum bottle just is case os cold LOL Thanks agan! I like your videos because you keep it real and honest! Keep up the good work! I am thinking to go to the keys to do some diving and would like to meet you sir! 😊😊👍👍🤿🤿🤙🤙🤙🦈🦈

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha everyones been asking! and thanks for watching and the feedback, I try to keep it real!

[@williampaylorjr9481]

With everyone on mom's side of the family being Conchs and having been raised there I feel I have the right to call you out on something. Grunts! I may have missed it but I've never heard you mention the overlooked Grunt. Couldn't tell you the actual name of it, always been a Grunt in our house. While commercial fisherman and trophy hunters dismiss the lowly Grunt they are a long standing part of island culture. The old Conchs always talked about the 3 Gs...Grits, Grunts and Gravy a mainstay during the Great Depression. My first fish (pretty much every kids first fish) was a Grunt and I've still got the mount my grandpa had done of it. You missed out if you camped at Bahia Honda and didn't have a Grunt cooked on one of the rusty old grills. As a teenager working charter boat row in the summer we would stop at Sand Key whenever we had bad fishing. Catching a mess of Grunts always calmed down paying customers with no dolphin or marlin stories to take home. Nothing says island life like a head on, fried grunt drizzled with fresh key lime juice. thanks for the great videos and be safe out there

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Haha i kid you not that is on the list of videos i want to do! My friend will and myself have been talking about it! I hope you like the videos, and thanks for taking the time to share!

[@williampaylorjr9481]

@@KeyWestWaterman no problem, it's great to see someone that comes down to live the island life and be appreciative enough to stay respectful of what we've got down there. Have fun

[@DougSamm]

Yup ! Fond memories of my high school days when I was stationed there as navy brat 78-81. Grunts All day long ! Hog fish too !

[@DougSamm]

Nice boat ! In 2004 I visited my dad on Leesburg Fla for a yr. While there I worked on building SheerWater in Groveland Fla. I was the deck LID man. Lol. Fit trim, installed All deck lid on their compartments. I like your boat much better !

[@KeyWestWaterman]

That’s awesome! And a good skill to have! And i sure love it! Perfect for what i do

[@reefchiefaustralia]

ha ha thanks for the run through Aaron love the bottle of rum can't go wrong there.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha you Never know!

[@SUBH20HNTR]

Excellent choice of rum ! I’ve been a fan for many years

[@KeyWestWaterman]

its one of the better sipping rums for sure! i'm not a mixing rum kind of guy.

[@nelsonlima8477]

Nice to see you man happy Father's Day if you're not going to be one God bless I am the old Fork

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha not sure yet!

[@patricio-pat-canahuate2608]

Awesome channel. I like the slower delivery and the fact that you are not posing or pretending to be whatever you are not. Can you point me to the video where you were going to tell about your background and how you ended up doing what is obviously a labor of love? Godspeed.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

love to hear that and thanks for the feedback! and im actually working on it today should be out in the next couple weeks.

[@JoseDiaz-yl9sh]

Boat looks ready to go. Nice

[@KeyWestWaterman]

thanks for watching brother!

[@robertrusnak620]

Nice! My dumb ass brother bought a 34 scarab without having a survey done. He was extremely lucky I was a carpenter and both of us have been on boats our whole lives. To make a long story short, it took me 7 painful years to rebuild 20 feet ( including the transom ) the boat from the inside out.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

holy crap! he won't do that again!

[@TheArcopa2003]

Nothing like a contender, I have a new 30 t with twin 300 and love it . That's a fishing and money making machine . Love your channel

[@KeyWestWaterman]

amen! love mine!!!

[@DirtMcGert29054]

Cast bet is a must have , whf , legal requirements , and something to stop the bleeding are all must haves

[@KeyWestWaterman]

yup!

[@tonygville2969]

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's 💪 Don't Grow tired of doing Good, God Wins Biggly 🙏 Viva Cristo Rey 💪🙏

[@KeyWestWaterman]

thanks for watching sir!

[@jaimec7971]

Aaron - thanks for the walk through! Its great how you keep it real ... the forward fish box do you have that with a gas strut to lift? Do you use the bottom fishbox often given you have the yeti? Thx.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

theres no strut on there no, I don't use it very often no. I can hold alot of fish in the yet, and in the back boxes if I need!

[@daimlerblanco6218]

Always spectacular videos

[@KeyWestWaterman]

really appreciate that!

[@MRdugger420]

Looks like Hell of a Feesh Getter! Working Boat bro looked like money all over it!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha!

[@amyprosper6783]

i would love to detail your boat 😂love the contenders

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha she's a work horse! get two baths a year

[@michaelspangler5902]

The rum is a great addition to the “oh shit” box

[@KeyWestWaterman]

lol ya never know!

[@justinhayes7]

Come to Pilar and visit, pick up a tour and tasting, tell them Nikki recommended it!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I've always wanted to but never have! if you know a guy I could def use a rum sponsor... lol

[@WesLovelace]

What power transducer are you using for the deep drop and can both units access the one unit.....Thanks!!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

the transducer is only wired to one unit, its an airmar b260

[@kevinmycoo1924]

The rum tho...🤣🤣🤣 laugh we laugh but rum could be used to clean a wound...and if its bad take a drink and then put on the wound🤣🤣🤣

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha you never know!

[@angeloc3842]

How do you keep your Spearfishing gear organized? Ppl just end up throwing everything on the floor of my boat to trip over. Did you design your speargun rack?! Thanks - Angelo, Charleston Sc

[@keleighprovost3504]

Same question Aaron, great video!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I can't believe I missed the speargun rack! lol yea I built it myself out of star board. normally throw all the masks in a bucket, and fins are normally all over the place. im working on some fin storage as well. im that guy that freaks out when everything is a mess.

[@locoboy46]

That’s awesome. Great boat and work horse. How many hours u got in the motors thus far ?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

just over 600, did a 600 hour update vid on my last maint. haven't posted it yet

[@TechBoy1200]

A bottle of rum for the float, what a champ 😆

[@KeyWestWaterman]

😂

[@TechBoy1200]

​@@KeyWestWaterman I fish out of the panhandle here in Florida, I found your videos a few weeks back and must have binge watched them all at this point. You're killing it man, I'm sure you'll be huge in no time! And thanks to you I know what boat I'm getting next 😆

[@po5832]

Do you worry about your dog running on the island alone? Is there snakes such as cottonmouth or rattlers to worry or is there no snakes? Just would like to know what lives in the swampy areas of the island

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I worry more about the island alone with tipsy... lol I rarely see snakes down here to be honest!

[@WilliamJohnson-tx7no]

I like spiced rum and coconut rum, how's the Papa's pillar? Great video

[@KeyWestWaterman]

its pretty good actually, I enjoyed it!

[@flbizowner9384]

Contender is the wettest boat I’ve gone offshore on. Zero Carolina flare on the hull.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

thank you for sharing your opinion!

[@pqtpat7734]

Binging your channel- living a sick life and I’m sure you worked for every bit of it. When is video on your backstory coming out? Never been spear fishing and I’ve never heard anyone do it on the Great Lake (Lake Erie)

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Hopefully in the next couple weeks! And It’s a ton of fun!

[@luismanes3762]

Love your videos and boat Aaron. Just outta curiosity, how many rods holders do you have on your boat?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I think 29...

[@johnnievee1179]

Seems like everyone is adding trolling motors for virtual anchoring. Thoughts?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

yea a lot of people are, I just don't have $7-$8k laying around. ill pull the anchor for now lol

[@jamesrahn8339]

Bottle of rum...because you never know!!!... lmfao. 🤣🤣🤣

[@KeyWestWaterman]

lol... but seriously

[@jamesrahn8339]

@@KeyWestWaterman if it's in your ditch case...?... get nice and happy before the sharks get you??? Kinda get your mind off shit?..lol. it's a great idea!! Seriously 😂

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Haha just sayin! Ya never know!!!

[@Lucas-LeFever]

To confirm, is this a 2004 27 Open correct? - Have you been on a 27T to compare the differences? - I'm also assuming this isn't a G2 hull (the updated transom to support heavier 4-strokes) -- When I get closer to purchasing mine i'll book a charter so I can experience it for myself :)

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I think it is yes honestly not sure I always get conflicting reports lol. and I don't believe so

[@Lucas-LeFever]

@@KeyWestWaterman Sounds good! What an incredible rig man! I'm up in Jacksonville Beach so it's a haul for us to get to the ledge. I'm thinking Contender 27 Open with twin 225 Mercury V6. Hopefully gets me close to 40mph with 2.0MPG.

[@Lucas-LeFever]

@@KeyWestWaterman UPDATE: Paid for my boat finally last week in full! Picked up a 2000 25 Open with twin Suzuki 200s. Had to be realistic and find a clean 25 open. Really cool coming back to this video and looking at my comment 10 months ago. This has been 4-5 years in the works! God i'm fired up!

[@marcosmolina5776]

What are the 2 hydraulic pumps for in your console? Jack plates or trim tabs ?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

trim tabs!

[@sonnyeast3862]

Dream boat.What’s the pilchard report in key west?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

the are really hard to find in the summer time unless you know where to go, I don't spend time trying to find them this time of year

[@asuurb]

Great video. I live in the lower keys and have a 243 everglades. I'm looking at 27 contenders as I need more boat with twins to travel offshore more. Do you have any cons about your boat? what year is the hull? Is there a similar sized boat you would rather have? Thanks for your input

[@KeyWestWaterman]

honestly its perfect for what I do, maybe wish I had a smidge more room for charters but I dont have any complaints. its an 04'

[@timjepson1092]

Work boat . My just in case would be Kentucky Bourbon 100 proof 😂 just in case .

[@KeyWestWaterman]

it sure is! haha I love it! ill stick with my rum!

[@5321-z9n]

Love the channel. I’ve seen your L&P mounted on a swivel rod-holder on the starboard side. It’s 90^ to the boat. Is that a 15 or 30 degree holder? Great idea.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I have two next to each other, depends on what I'm doing one is 90 degree one is 30. I usually sword out of the 30 and deep drop out of the 90.

[@juanroa473]

Where do you store the spearguns?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I built a rack on the back of my rocket launcher, I can't believe I missed going over that in the video! lol

[@rogerr7856]

What pumps do you run? Oh, and i know an upholstery guy... 😛 Liquid bandaid is good to have on boat.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

bilge im assuming? rule 2000's if I remember correctly

[@rogerr7856]

@@KeyWestWaterman Yeah bilge and livewells, but forgot, you probably don't use livewells. Was always happy with Rule Tournament Series pumps when I finally went with them.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Live well is rule 1600 !

[@jamesstantonjr.6553]

Finally watched your boat walk through… do ever use your outriggers? The one time I saw you troll was high speed Wahoo trolling…

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Not very often to be honest

[@jamesstantonjr.6553]

Live bait Live bait Live bait is all there is when I get the chance to fish the Keys.

[@warrenedmunds6316]

All you need

[@KeyWestWaterman]

very happy with it!

[@NTCOX]

U the man !!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

lol not even close! thanks for watching!

[@Allirys]

Beautiful. Bathroom?? Fridge?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

nope! shes a Fishin boat!

[@Allirys]

@@KeyWestWaterman haha How do you guys do it? All day? I really want to know, since I am country/shore fisherman in Brasil. Love the vids!

[@JoseTorres-xi2tq]

Nice boat awesome

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I love her!

[@benkroneberger]

Aaron how much did you pay? I’m looking at 98 contender 27’ open with twin 250 05 Yamaha 4stroke 1700 hrs 85k ask was thinking of offering 65k.

[@KJ-md5hv]

Nice walk through, nice boat! Do you think a 24ft Center Console is big enough to handle offshore seas most days down here in the keys? By most days, l'm talking winds gusting 20or less with 2-3 ft seas. I haven't had the chance to own bigger boats yet, looking to go bigger but only as big as needed to run most days and not have to wait for flat calm forecasts. Thanks!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

All depends on the make of the boat! hard to say

[@KJ-md5hv]

Got this from internet. Don't know how true it is. Seems like pretty good guidelines.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

@@KJ-md5hv those are very vague though. All depends on the style and make of the boat. Dead rise etc.

[@KJ-md5hv]

@@KeyWestWaterman Agreed! I'm only talking about a center console (no bay boats). Deadrise of 21-24 degrees. Really like Cobia (240 or 262). Prefer the 240, but don't know if the extra 2ft of the 26 will make that much of a difference on the water in ride quality and sea worthiness. I'm thinking that extra space is more for passenger space than ride quality? But I don't know. Really appreciate your comments!

[@ADAA1995]

Awesome videos , if you ever decide to take a fan spearfishing let me know , I live in miami & willing to make the drive. always want to get more experience in the water 🤙🏻

[@KeyWestWaterman]

will do!

[@SpearingWithSlurpey]

Dream boat

[@KeyWestWaterman]

love that thing!

[@SpearingWithSlurpey]

@@KeyWestWaterman been meaning to ask did you make your own Speargun Rack? for your boat

[@ashwinratnam5389]

Aaron, could you tell me what model of seastar you're running please?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I believe its HC 5358-3, thats the size I can't remember which sub model it is some have the plate reserved for Yamaha motors.

[@calvincampbell8088]

Curious as to who makes the speargun holder on the back of the leaning post?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I made it myself, just starboard and a router.

[@calvincampbell8088]

Super cool design!

[@ramialmohtadi8647]

What’s up with the live well, I notice a lot of old contenders instead of having a plug on the bottom hole, it has a custome pvc drain. Not sure what it’s for because the live well has a drain on top to regulate the water level

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I can't comment on others. but mine had a small plate that got very easily clogged. in the winter time here with fish primarily with pilchards, a very sensitive bait. so I made the pvc drain up top that I ad and remove electrical tape to balance the pressure in the well depending on the season and bait im using.

[@ramialmohtadi8647]

@@KeyWestWaterman thank you! Makes sense

[@FFMelvin03]

Any reason you don’t have bottom paint?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I haul out so much it’s just an extra expense.

[@billypolhemus9189]

What are you using to secure the yeti?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

yeti straps, thru bolted into the deck

[@billypolhemus9189]

@@KeyWestWaterman right, what rings are the straps securing to?

[@kawiman561]

What are the u bolts on each side of the simrads for?

[@SUBH20HNTR]

I think those are to slide a piece of pipe through with a padlock so the units can’t be removed by an unauthorized person 😎

[@KeyWestWaterman]

close, but yea I have a plate that goes over the panel and locks

[@jimmyera3779]

Are you required to have a life raft or emersion suits for commercial fishing?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

depends on the size of the boat, passengers, location you are fishing etc.

[@jimmyera3779]

@@KeyWestWaterman another channel I started following up here closer to me (Chesapeake bay) did a break down of what they had to do to become a commercial boat and it seemed rather excessive to me and after watching your videos I figured you'd give an honest answer thanks so much love following you along in your daily adventures

[@KeyWestWaterman]

@@jimmyera3779 for the most part even the minimums are extreme lol. And i always try to be honest!

[@jimmyera3779]

I agree totally I fish a 23 cc single engine offshore I make sure I have flares life jackets and vhf I only fish when I have other friends out and when weather permits I did recently get an inreach I'm still thinking about an epirb our average run to the canyons are 60 miles so safety first in my opinion

[@naterushnell2531]

Is this the 27 open or the 27T model as I’m looking to get one and have heard the 27 opens do not ride right with 4 strokes… they need a lot of tab to keep the bow down from what I’ve heard Vs the 27t

[@KeyWestWaterman]

27 open, rides fine I rarely use tabs.

[@albertojimenez3197]

Where did you get your gun rack?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I built it out of starboard actually, just used a beer can for the gun slots. and a router.

[@simpleman3473]

There are three types of mangroves. Red, Black and White.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Thanks for the info!

[@gulfanatic]

Sell hats please👍🏼👍🏼

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I have some! contact me on my instagram or email @dibsonbottom_adventures

[@jimalden7130]

Dude bottle of rum? First aide

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha you never know !

[@kalsaumesatungiamata9066]

I still prefer aluminum boats over fiberglass boats

[@KeyWestWaterman]

everyone has a preference!

[@westcoastwaterman]

Men and women watch your show also

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I'm aware. I assume the men and women are mature enough to let me address the youngsters.

[@westcoastwaterman]

@@KeyWestWaterman how many spear fishing charters do you have with boys and girls?