The Smoker Craft MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2007 vs Smoker Craft Ultima 172 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 MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2007 measures 22,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2005 at 17,0 feet (2005). At 189 lbs and 126 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 125 hp for the Smoker Craft MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2007 and 125 hp for the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2005. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 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 MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2007 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2005 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 MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft MDlx M-8522 C-RE 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.