When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bryant 198W 2013 and the Bryant 239 2008 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bryant 239 2008 measures 23,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bryant 198W 2013 at 19,7 feet (2013). At 283 lbs and 349 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The Bryant 239 2008 tops out at 6 hp. Engine specs for the Bryant 198W 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bryant 239 2008 carries 49 gallons versus 31 gallons in the Bryant 198W 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bryant 239 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Bryant 198W 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bryant 239 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bryant 239 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bryant 198W 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.