The Smoker Craft Pro Angler 161 2013 vs Smoker Craft V160 OB 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Smoker Craft Pro Angler 161 2013 at 16,0 ft versus Smoker Craft V160 OB 2005 at 15,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 161 2013 tips the scales at 845 lbs — 703 lbs more than the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2005 at 142 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 90 hp, the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2005 has a 30-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 161 2013's 60-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 V160 OB 2005 carries 23 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 161 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Smoker Craft V160 OB 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 161 2013 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 V160 OB 2005 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Smoker Craft V160 OB 2005 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 161 2013. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft V160 OB 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 15,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft Pro Angler 161 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.