When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Key West 189 FS 2012 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 189 FS 2012 at 18,8 ft versus Key West 198 SK 2013 at 19,0 ft. At 165 lbs and 135 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 — 150 hp for the Key West 189 FS 2012 and 140 hp for the Key West 198 SK 2013. 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 — 4 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
The Key West 189 FS 2012 is rated for up to 5 people. Passenger data for the Key West 198 SK 2013 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Key West 189 FS 2012 and Key West 198 SK 2013 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.