Matching a deep vee Smoker Craft 16 Big Fish 2013 against a modified vee Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Smoker Craft 16 Big Fish 2013 at 16,4 ft versus Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 2012 at 16,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 2012 tips the scales at 1 225 lbs — 1 183 lbs less than the Smoker Craft 16 Big Fish 2013 at 42 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 140 hp, the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 2012 has a 100-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft 16 Big Fish 2013's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Smoker Craft 16 Big Fish 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 9 lbs per hp for the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 2012. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 2012 and its 140-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Smoker Craft 16 Big Fish 2013 with its 40-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.