The Smoker Craft 2200 Sunship GLX Fish 2005 vs Smoker Craft MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2006 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Smoker Craft 2200 Sunship GLX Fish 2005 at 22,0 ft versus Smoker Craft MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2006 at 22,0 ft. At 194 lbs and 189 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Smoker Craft 2200 Sunship GLX Fish 2005 has a 75-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2006's 125-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 MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2006 carries 24 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Smoker Craft 2200 Sunship GLX Fish 2005. 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 MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2006 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Smoker Craft 2200 Sunship GLX Fish 2005 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Smoker Craft MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft 2200 Sunship GLX Fish 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.