When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Champion Boats 186 FH 2008 and the Champion Boats 198 Elite 2006 are modified vee designs with composite 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Champion Boats 186 FH 2008 at 18,0 ft versus Champion Boats 198 Elite 2006 at 19,0 ft. At 195 lbs and 165 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Champion Boats 186 FH 2008 has a 25-hp advantage over the Champion Boats 198 Elite 2006's 175-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Champion Boats 186 FH 2008 carries 32 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Champion Boats 198 Elite 2006. 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 Champion Boats 186 FH 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Champion Boats 198 Elite 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Champion Boats 186 FH 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Champion Boats 186 FH 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Champion Boats 198 Elite 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.