Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 vs Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 or the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004?

For trailering, the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 has the edge at 142 lbs dry weight versus 925 lbs for the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 tops out at 9 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 measures 81" wide, compared to 78" for the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 and Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 21 gallons and 23 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 and Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 and the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 are built by Smoker Craft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 vs Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004

Smoker Craft

Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011

2011

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Smoker Craft

Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 vs Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 vs Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 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 75 hp, the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 has a 66-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004's 9-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 21 gal and 23 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 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 V160 OB 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeSmoker Craft

ModelBass 171

ModelV160 OB

Model Year2011

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam81 in

Beam78 in

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Meters1.98

Beam - Inches81

Beam - Inches78

Depth - Detail17 in

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters43.18

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches17

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail925 lbs

Weight - Detail1420 lbs

Weight - kg419.57

Weight - kg644.1

Weight - lbs.925

Weight - lbs.142

Width [transom] - Detail81 in

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Length - Feet17.83

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Detail15 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters5.44

Length overall - Meters4.72

Length overall - Inches214

Length overall - Inches186

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise15°

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thickness0.080 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max75 hp

Engine max9

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,225 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people4

Maximum people6 Persons

Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 vs Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 or the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004?

For trailering, the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 has the edge at 142 lbs dry weight versus 925 lbs for the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 tops out at 9 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 measures 81" wide, compared to 78" for the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 and Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 21 gallons and 23 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 and Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 and the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 are built by Smoker Craft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Smoker Craft Bass 171 2011 full specs ← Smoker Craft V160 OB 2004 full specs