Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Smoker Craft M-8520 C-RE 2006 vs Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Smoker Craft M-8520 C-RE 2006 vs Smoker Craft Ventura 172 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 125 hp, the Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 has a 35-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft M-8520 C-RE 2006's 90-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 M-8520 C-RE 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 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 M-8520 C-RE 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft M-8520 C-RE 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeSmoker Craft
MakeSmoker Craft
ModelM-8520 C-RE
ModelVentura 172
Model Year2006
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches91
Weight - Detail1,640 lbs
Weight - DetailN/A
Weight - kg743.89
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.164
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet2
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Meters6.17
Length overall - Meters5.23
Length overall - Inches243
Length overall - Inches206
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail36 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.91
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches36
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]LS
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameternot available
Tube gauge.080 in
Tube gaugenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - DetailN/A
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max90 hp
Engine max125
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,000 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people12
Maximum peopleN