When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 XL 2013 and the Smoker Craft Pro Mag 162 2008 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 XL 2013 at 17,3 ft versus Smoker Craft Pro Mag 162 2008 at 16,0 ft. At 135 lbs and 96 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.
The Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 XL 2013 carries a rated maximum of 150 hp. Engine data for the Smoker Craft Pro Mag 162 2008 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 XL 2013 carries 24 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Smoker Craft Pro Mag 162 2008. 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 Pro Angler 172 XL 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Pro Mag 162 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 Pro Angler 172 XL 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft Pro Angler 172 XL 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 17,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Smoker Craft Pro Mag 162 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.