View Full Version : Smokercraft
Thinking of buying a SmokerCraft 161 Pro Mag
Anyone know if SmokerCraft boats are a good quality
aluminum boat. I see they are finished off much nicer
than a Lund in the same price range and have the same
gauge hull or maybe slightly heavier.
Abuman
03-10-2003, 07:50 PM
I have owned a Pro Mag 161 since bought new in 1994. Never had a problem. Have towed it thousands of miles each summer on a roller
trailer and taken on Mille Lacs and Leech. Well laid out, lots of storage, gets on plane quickly. Well built boat.
Dutchman
03-10-2003, 08:07 PM
I owned Sylvans(Smokercrafts sister Co.) for 7 years, nice boats and less up front money to buy. I would recommend them. Resale was great, they held their value well.
" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "
bigfish1965
03-10-2003, 08:45 PM
In March of '98 I bought a 97 Legend ( Canadian Smokercraft). Bouth it for 17,300. Sold it a few weeks back for 15,000.
I never once had anything go wrong with the boat and the 17 1/2 ft handles Erie very well and normal sized lakes like a Cadillac.
haybaylarry
03-11-2003, 04:17 AM
I also have a smokercraft 17 1/2 footer. It's 12 years old and i wouldn't sell it for anything. It has been rock solid from day one. It was finished betterthan anything else at the time. I cjecked all the brands and nothing came close. In fact other manufacturers copyed those features in subsequent years...larry
Troutbeck
03-11-2003, 05:31 AM
Bill--
I just sold a basic deep v Sylvan (same as Smoker). I had it for 17 years and never had any problems. I looked at new Sylvans/Smokers to replace it but decided on a Lund in the end. In my opinion, the Lund was a better built boat. It's not just the guauge of the metal, it's more how it's constructed. Compare these items: Gunnels--Lund is heavier and better built; splash rails--Lund is a separate piece that's riveted on instead of being formed out of the hull itself. And there are others.
Plus, in my case, by the time I added the motor and trailer, I would not have saved very much. But, I still like the Sylvans and I'm sure you'd be happy with it. Mine held up very well.
Hope this helps.
downriverbob
03-11-2003, 06:41 AM
I have 1997 18" Smokercraft Fazer and have had no problem fishing in big water with this boat.
wheels
03-11-2003, 06:45 AM
My old man runs a 1996 Smoker 192 that rides like a tin can, and has already been back to the factory for transom work. Maybe this is the exception, but I wouldn't buy a smoker
"Friends don't let friends fish for trout!"
From experience--and this is JUST my experience, I would not go with a smokercraft/sylvan boat. Go with Lund/Alumacraft/Crestliner. You get what you paid for and you'll be much happier. Wish I did.
Paul.
1shooter
03-11-2003, 06:24 PM
I previously owned a Slyvan Pro Fisherman and it road very rough. I now own a Crestliner Sportfish and there is no comparison! Smooooootttthhh! or at least compared to my Sylvan.
Fishing 21
03-11-2003, 08:28 PM
I owned a Smokercraft 170 Phantom. I thought it was a decent boat until I fished with other people in different brands. I didn't realize at the time that there could be that much difference in ride. I went from that to a Warrior and now to a Lund. My opinion is that the Smokercraft felt really light and on the edge of breaking in half when in rough water. The others were more solid and stable. I also had alot of problems with seats breaking and the console coming apart. I decided it had to go when the seering wheel partially broke off travelling across Mille Lac on a relativly calm day. Opinions vary alot about boats but from my experience I would spend the extra money up front and not do it again for a few years.
I had a 161 pro mag w/90hp Mariner. I bought it new in 1997 and just sold it last summer. It was a good boat but because of its length the ride wasn't all that great and a little wet too. I did have a few rivets start leaking and had to send it back to the factory to be repaired. It is a well laid out boat for its size, and moved along really well w/a 90hp. If you are gunna fish smaller lakes w/one or two guys it is a good rig. I did fish alot of tournys out of mine and it got used a little harder that the average guy would use it, but it was to small for my needs. My new boat is a Lund 1900 ProV.
Sleep little---Fish long!
Bear
KaKaRoach
03-12-2003, 01:37 AM
had a 16' big fisherman i bought in 94' w/25hp merc. had problems from day one, rivets leaking, side storage boxes coming loose, after i had it for awhile and had been in other boats mine felt like a cheap boat. i now have a 2002 v-16 alumacraft still have the 25hp and like it alot. hope this helps, KaKa
LeeMn
03-12-2003, 11:29 AM
I have a '98 170 Phantom. I have had no problems with it at all. I find it just as dry as my friends '02 1750 Crestliner sportfish. Of course his boat is larger and heavier but they both seem to run the same on Vermillion.
And I don't hesitate to take it out on Mil lacs, Superior, Rainy. This year I'm putting downriggers on the gunnels and using it to fish for salmon on Lake Michigan. The gunnels are reinforced for downriggers, the Lund I looked at for more money wasn't.
The keep saying you get what you pay for but I can't help but think you pay for all the advertising, sponsors and tournaments when you buy a Genmar boat.
Lee
I have my 2nd sylvan and like it allot.
Would highly recommend a Sylvan/Smokercraft.
I think they are a good value for the $$$
you pay. I have had no problem with either
boat except a few dealer installed problems.
Purely the dealer not the boat, the dealer
is just as important as the brand.
ALWAYS deal with a dealer you can trust!!!
Bruce
03-12-2003, 06:45 PM
I have 161 ProMag and love the layout and storage in the
boat. I have not seen Lund or any other brands that compare
for the price. No problems with leaks or anything else.
As for ride they have changed the design so it will
skim across waves better. Length is the big issue when it
comes to ride NOT brand.
BUY IT!
LeeMn
03-13-2003, 01:48 PM
Good point Bob. I love my smoker but I will never buy a new one again in Minnesota until there is a different dealer in this state. I went to three different store locations of the same dealer I bought my boat and all three dropped the ball when it came to getting the right trailer rigged under my boat. I finally had to fix it myself.
Lee
I wonder if were talking about the same dealer...IMHO those trailers (may be karavans) are crap & not matched up real well with the boat....also pretty much re-rigged it for myself.
Do like the boat & motor though