The Smoker Craft 171 Pro Bass 2013 vs Smoker Craft 20 Sportsman DLX 2005 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Smoker Craft 171 Pro Bass 2013 measures 17,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 15,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Smoker Craft 20 Sportsman DLX 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Smoker Craft 20 Sportsman DLX 2005 tips the scales at 1 225 lbs — 150 lbs less than the Smoker Craft 171 Pro Bass 2013 at 1 075 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 125 hp, the Smoker Craft 20 Sportsman DLX 2005 has a 35-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft 171 Pro Bass 2013's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Smoker Craft 20 Sportsman DLX 2005 carries 34 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Smoker Craft 171 Pro Bass 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Smoker Craft 20 Sportsman DLX 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Smoker Craft 171 Pro Bass 2013 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 20 Sportsman DLX 2005 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Smoker Craft 20 Sportsman DLX 2005 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Smoker Craft 171 Pro Bass 2013. 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: Choose the Smoker Craft 20 Sportsman DLX 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft 171 Pro Bass 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.