Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Key West 186 DC 2012 vs Key West 197 SK 2009 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Key West 186 DC 2012 and the Key West 197 SK 2009 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?
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Key West 186 DC 2012 has a 35-hp advantage over the Key West 197 SK 2009's 115-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 197 SK 2009 carries 19 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Key West 186 DC 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
The Key West 186 DC 2012 is rated for up to 5 people. Passenger data for the Key West 197 SK 2009 wasn't available.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Key West 186 DC 2012 and its 150-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Key West 197 SK 2009 with its 115-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. (2.44 m)
Beam7 ft. (2.13 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches84
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise2℃
Draft [max] - Detail14 in. (0.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail8 in. (0.2 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.36
Draft [max] - Meters0.2
Draft [max] - Inches14
Draft [max] - Inches8
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs. (771 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg771.11
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.17
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail25 in. (0.7 m)
Width [transom] - Detail20 / 25 in. (0.5 / 0.6 m)
Length - Feet18.83
Length - Feet19
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.74
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches226
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 4 in. (5.9 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (72 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel tank capacity - Gal19
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
HorsepowerRecommended: 115 - 150 hp (86 - 112 kW)
Horsepowernot available
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine max115 hp (86 kW) Recommended 70-90 kW (52-67 kW)