Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 vs Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 or the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004?

For trailering, the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 has the edge at 155 lbs dry weight versus 875 lbs for the Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 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 Freedom 160 TL 2011 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 tops out at 19 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 Freedom 160 TL 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 is certified for 8. 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 Freedom 160 TL 2011 measures 89" wide, compared to 9" for the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 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: Are the Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 and Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 and the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 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 Freedom 160 TL 2011 vs Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004

Smoker Craft

Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011

2011

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Smoker Craft

Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 vs Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 vs Smoker Craft V170 I-O 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 Freedom 160 TL 2011 has a 56-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004's 19-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeSmoker Craft

ModelFreedom 160 TL

ModelV170 I-O

Model Year2011

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam89 in

Beam90 in

Beam - Meters2.26

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Inches89

Beam - Inches9

Depth - Detail22 in

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches22

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail875 lbs

Weight - Detail1550 lbs

Weight - kg396.89

Weight - kg703.07

Weight - lbs.875

Weight - lbs.155

Width [transom] - Detail85 in

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Length - Feet16.92

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters5.16

Length overall - Meters5.13

Length overall - Inches203

Length overall - Inches202

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise15℃

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. Side: 0.060 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max75 hp

Engine max19

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Operational Info

Maximum capacity900 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people6

Maximum people8 Persons

Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 vs Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 or the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004?

For trailering, the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 has the edge at 155 lbs dry weight versus 875 lbs for the Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 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 Freedom 160 TL 2011 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 tops out at 19 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 Freedom 160 TL 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 is certified for 8. 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 Freedom 160 TL 2011 measures 89" wide, compared to 9" for the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 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.

Are the Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 and Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Smoker Craft Freedom 160 TL 2011 and the Smoker Craft V170 I-O 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 Freedom 160 TL 2011 full specs ← Smoker Craft V170 I-O 2004 full specs