When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Key West 177 SK 2010 and the Key West 198 SK 2013 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Key West 177 SK 2010 at 17,3 ft versus Key West 198 SK 2013 at 19,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Key West 198 SK 2013 tips the scales at 135 lbs — 124 lbs less than the Key West 177 SK 2010 at 11 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 140 hp, the Key West 198 SK 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Key West 177 SK 2010's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Key West 177 SK 2010 carries 19 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Key West 198 SK 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Key West 198 SK 2013 and its 140-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Key West 177 SK 2010 with its 90-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.