The Smoker Craft Infinity A-8524 2005 vs Smoker Craft Resorter 161 2008 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 A-8524 2005 measures 24,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Smoker Craft Resorter 161 2008 at 16,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Smoker Craft Resorter 161 2008 tips the scales at 725 lbs — 704 lbs less than the Smoker Craft Infinity A-8524 2005 at 21 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Smoker Craft Infinity A-8524 2005 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Resorter 161 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Smoker Craft Infinity A-8524 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft Infinity A-8524 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft Resorter 161 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.