The Smoker Craft 1648 2005 vs Smoker Craft Pro Mag 168 2011 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 60 hp, the Smoker Craft Pro Mag 168 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft 1648 2005's 35-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Smoker Craft Pro Mag 168 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Smoker Craft 1648 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Smoker Craft Pro Mag 168 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft Pro Mag 168 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft 1648 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.