When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Smoker Craft Bass & Bay 1866 TL 2009 and the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2012 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Smoker Craft Bass & Bay 1866 TL 2009 at 18,0 ft versus Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2012 at 17,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2012 tips the scales at 1 325 lbs — 1 227 lbs less than the Smoker Craft Bass & Bay 1866 TL 2009 at 98 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 140 hp, the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2012 has a 60-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft Bass & Bay 1866 TL 2009's 80-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 Ultima 172 2012 carries 24 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Smoker Craft Bass & Bay 1866 TL 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Smoker Craft Bass & Bay 1866 TL 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2012. 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.