The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2012 vs Smoker Craft Infinity M-8524 F 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 Infinity M-8524 F 2005 measures 24,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 6,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2012 at 17,8 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2012 tips the scales at 925 lbs — 906 lbs more than the Smoker Craft Infinity M-8524 F 2005 at 19 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 Smoker Craft Bass 171 2012 carries a rated maximum of 75 hp. Engine data for the Smoker Craft Infinity M-8524 F 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 21 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Smoker Craft Infinity M-8524 F 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Bass 171 2012 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 Infinity M-8524 F 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft Infinity M-8524 F 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft Bass 171 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.