Key West 197 Skiff — Quick-Reference Specs
- Boat Model: Key West 197 Skiff
- Cover Type: Center Console Mooring Cover
- LOA: ~19' 4"
- Beam: ~7' 0"
- Dry Weight: ~1,150 lbs
- Engine: Single outboard, 70–115 HP
- Fuel Capacity: ~30 gallons
- Deadrise: ~2° (flat-bottom)
- Draft: ~4–8"
- Hull Type: Flat-bottom fiberglass, no-wood construction, one-piece liner
- Status: Discontinued (2009–2019)
Cover Features
- Fit: Custom-fitted for the Key West 197 Skiff center console
- Coverage: Full hull from bow to stern, fully enclosing the outboard engine
- Fabric Options: 9oz solution-dyed polyester (most popular) or Sunbrella acrylic
- Construction: Reinforced stitching, hem cord at rubrail, adjustable tie-down straps
- Installation: ~15 minutes, one person
- Warranty: Manufacturer warranty against UV and weather damage
Additional information
Choose Your Cover Fabric
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
| Weight | 24 lbs |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 9oz Polyester |
Install
Please watch the video below for installation instructions!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — this cover is pattern-cut specifically for the Key West 197 Skiff center console hull. It fits the approximately 19-foot-4-inch length with 7-foot beam, wrapping over the center console and fully enclosing the outboard engine as one continuous piece. It fits all 197 Skiff variants including the SKV and Redfish Edition.
No — the 197 Skiff was produced from 2009 through 2019 and has been discontinued. Our cover is still available and fits all model years and variants of the 197 Skiff. These hulls remain highly sought after on the used market for serious flats fishing.
The 197 Skiff supports a single outboard between 70 and 115 horsepower. Our cover fully encloses the engine as part of the continuous fabric drape past the transom, regardless of the specific horsepower rating mounted.
The 197 Skiff is the larger of the two Key West skiffs at 19 feet 4 inches versus 17 feet 4 inches for the 177. The 197 handles more horsepower (up to 115 HP versus 90 HP), features a one-piece liner construction, and includes a built-in anchor locker. Both share the same ultra-flat bottom hull design optimized for shallow water, but each requires its own pattern-cut cover.
We offer two marine-grade fabrics: our heavy-duty 9oz solution-dyed polyester (the most popular choice for durability and colorfastness) and premium Sunbrella acrylic canvas (lighter weight with exceptional UV resistance and breathability). Both resist mold, mildew, and fading.
Installation takes about 15 minutes with one person. The 197's lightweight frame and narrow 7-foot beam keep the job manageable solo despite the 19-foot length. Drape from bow to stern, then secure using the elastic hem cord and adjustable tie-down straps that buckle underneath the hull.
Yes — the cover is designed for storage but its tie-down straps and hem cord keep it secure for trailering at moderate speeds. The 197 Skiff at roughly 1,150 pounds is well within standard single-axle trailer capacity, and the cover stays locked in place during transport.
The Skiff series uses an ultra-flat bottom hull with minimal deadrise — just 2 degrees on the 197 — allowing it to operate in as little as 4 to 8 inches of water. The 197 gets on plane in 18 inches or less. Other Key West models like the Sportsman, Bay Reef, and FS series use deeper-V hulls designed for rougher water but cannot access the skinny-water environments where the Skiff thrives.
Our 9oz solution-dyed polyester is the most popular choice — it is heavier, extremely durable, and offers excellent water resistance at a lower price point. Sunbrella acrylic is lighter, more breathable, and provides superior UV protection, making it ideal for boats stored in intense sun year-round. Both fabrics come with manufacturer warranties.
Select your boat model, cover type, and fabric choice on the product page, then add to cart. Every cover ships with the fitted cover, all necessary tie-down straps and buckles, a storage bag, and a detailed installation guide. Most orders ship within 5 to 7 business days.
Key West 197 Skiff Center Console Boat Cover (Discontinued Model)
The Key West 197 Skiff is a 19-foot-4-inch flat-bottom center console that pushed the Skiff series to its performance ceiling — a boat that gets on plane in 18 inches of water or less. With just 2 degrees of deadrise and a draft between 4 and 8 inches, the 197 Skiff was the ultimate shallow-water fishing machine in the Key West lineup. At roughly 1,150 pounds dry with a 7-foot beam, this hull carried a single outboard between 70 and 115 horsepower and held 30 gallons of fuel. The one-piece liner construction eliminated joints and seams across the bow and rear decks, and a built-in anchor locker — rare for the skiff class — set the 197 apart from competitors. Key West produced the 197 Skiff from 2009 through 2019, and these flats-proven hulls remain highly sought after on the used market.
Our custom-fitted mooring cover wraps the entire 197 Skiff as one continuous piece of marine-grade fabric. The cover rises over the center console, slopes smoothly toward the stern, and extends past the transom to fully enclose the outboard engine in a natural, slightly loose drape. A hem cord cinches along the rubrail while the bottom edge reaches nearly to the keel, leaving only a thin strip of hull exposed. Pattern-cut to the 197’s low-profile flat-bottom dimensions, the cover sheds rain cleanly and stays tight through wind and trailering.
The Biggest Skiff — Maximum Shallow-Water Coverage
The 197 Skiff was the flagship of Key West’s flats boat lineup, and our cover is built to match its capability. Choose our heavy-duty 9oz solution-dyed polyester — the most popular option for its rugged durability and colorfastness — or upgrade to premium Sunbrella acrylic canvas for the best UV resistance and breathability available. Both fabrics are solution-dyed through the entire fiber, so color stays locked in permanently through years of sun, salt, and weather exposure.
Quick One-Person Installation
Installation takes about 15 minutes with one person. The 197’s lightweight frame and narrow 7-foot beam keep coverage manageable solo despite the 19-foot length. Drape from bow to stern, then secure with the included elastic hem cord and adjustable tie-down straps. The cover stays locked in place on trailers and in dry storage — ready for the next morning’s low-tide run across the flats.
Explore Key West Center Consoles
Browse all center console boat covers to find protection for any center console hull. Want the smaller Skiff? Check out our Key West 177 Skiff center console cover for the compact 17-foot version. Looking at a similar-sized boat in a different family? See our Key West 200 XT center console cover — a comparable-length specialty model.
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