2013 Smoker Craft 172 Ultima

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

“It all started in the 1930’s when John Smoker produced his first redwood fishing boats in Goshen, Indiana. In 1964, the Smoker family led the way with advancements in aluminum fishing boat hulls. Now, five generations and nearly 50 years later, Smoker Craft is defined by its passion for innovation and quality.”

Still in Indiana, Smoker Craft offers a total of fourteen models of aluminum Fishing boats for 2013 in seven series from fifteen to almost nineteen feet in length. Smoker Craft also offers fourteen models in six series of Utility boats and five models of Jon boats. That’s thirty-three models in all.

In Smoker Craft’s own words, “The 172 Ultima is tournament ready and family friendly. With great fishing amenities, spacious layout, bow and stern casting platforms and two flip-up stern seats that are ideal for family fishing and watersports. Ultima takes versatility to new levels.”

The 172 Ultima is 17’3” long with a full 8-foot beam and rides on Smoker Craft’s Hydra-Lift, one-piece, rolled V-hull with double riveted seams, reverse chines, integrated spray rails and five external longitudinal bottom keels. Constructed of .100” gauge aluminum in the hull bottom and .080” gauge in the sides, the 17° deadrise V-hull is strengthened on the inside with Smoker Craft’s Advanced Integrated Rib System (AIRS) which places .100” gauge “hat-shaped” ribs on ten-inch centres. This is a deep hull for added security and safety measuring 40” on the outside from gunwale to keel and 25” on the inside from floor to gunwale at the deepest points. Because of this depth, it requires an XLS – Extra-Long Shaft motor. Because of its dimensions, it is rated to carry seven persons or a total of 1,750 pounds.

Cockpit flooring is constructed of specially treated XL 7-layer plywood which carries a lifetime warranty. Solidifying this floor and providing sound insulation and buoyancy is urethane foam which is injected into all cavities between the inner hull and the floor. On the subject of warranties, Smoker Craft claims the industry’s best with a limited lifetime warranty on hull and structure and a six-year warranty on all components, carpet, upholstery, and electronics. This warranty includes all parts and labour and is transferrable to a second owner.

The 172 Ultima features a walk-through bow casting platform covered with 18-oz carpet, as is the stern casting deck, side coamings, and flat gunwale surfaces. The cockpit floor covering is vinyl. Snap-in cockpit carpet is optionally available. A total of three deluxe, wood-free, movable pedestal fishing seats are provided with a total of six bases into which they may be mounted including four bases in the cockpit and one each on the bow and stern casting platforms. The driver’s helm seat is provided with a fore and aft slider. Two additional fold-away stern seats flip up, one out of each side of the rear casting deck.

General storage lockers abound with three large ones in the bow area, one long one within the starboard gunwale and two smaller ones at the transom within the aft casting deck. Two lockable rod storage lockers are provided; one within the port gunwale and one in the cockpit floor between the driver and passenger seats. In addition are two lighted and aerated livewells; one in the stern platform of 23-gallon capacity, and one in the bow platform of 12-gallon capacity.

The molded driver and passenger helms are most modern and classy looking and functional. The passenger helm features a lockable glove box. The driver’s side features large, fog-free, chrome bezeled tachometer and speedometer plus a volt meter, fuel gauge and lighted compass. Lit DC toggle switches have circuit breaker re-sets immediately below each. Tilt steering is standard and SeaStar® hydraulic steering assist is a recommended option if you choose a motor greater than 125 horsepower. Between the two helms is the standard AM/FM stereo with an auxiliary J-Port for an MP3 player.

Other standard features on the 172 Ultima include the twice baked urethane paint finish, a trolling motor plug, pull-up mooring cleats, and built-in reinforcement for the mounting of downriggers. Notable options to add further versatility include six canvas covering possibilities including a full enclosure, battery charger, swim platform, and waterski tow pylon. Two option packages are also available. The All Weather Package includes a Fisherman’s Top, snap-in carpet, and mooring cover. The Power Package includes among other goodies a Humminbird 728 Fishfinder and a 70PD trolling motor. Maximum rated power for the boat is 150 horsepower – your choice of brand.

The Smoker Craft 172 Ultima would certainly appear to live up to its claim of “tournament ready and family friendly.”

2013 Smoker Craft 172 Ultima Photo Gallery

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