The Bryant 206 2005 vs Bryant 246 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bryant 246 2008 measures 24,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 22,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bryant 206 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). At 334 lbs and 382 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 6 hp for the Bryant 206 2005 and 8 hp for the Bryant 246 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 49 gal and 49 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bryant 246 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Bryant 206 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bryant 246 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bryant 246 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bryant 206 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.