Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Key West 197 SK 2011 vs Key West 225 DC 2008 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Key West 197 SK 2011 and the Key West 225 DC 2008 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 250 hp, the Key West 225 DC 2008 has a 135-hp advantage over the Key West 197 SK 2011'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 2011 carries 19 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Key West 225 DC 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Bottom line: The Key West 225 DC 2008 at 22,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Key West 197 SK 2011 at 19,3 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. (2.13 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches84
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise2℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [max] - Detail4 - 8 in. (0.1 - 0.2 m)
Draft [max] - Detail15 in. (38.1 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.2
Draft [max] - Meters0.38
Draft [max] - Inches8
Draft [max] - Inches15
Width [transom] - Detail20 / 25 in. (0.5 / 0.6 m)
Width [transom] - Detail25 in. (63.5 cm)
Length - Feet19.33
Length - Feet22
Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 4 in. (5.9 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail2,800 lbs. (1,225 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1270.06
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.28
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.83
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters6.83
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches269
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (72 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (378.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Gal19
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
HorsepowerRecommended 70 - 90 kW (52 - 67 kW)
Horsepowernot available
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Engine max250 hp (186.5 kW) Recommended: 150 - 200 hp