Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Smoker Craft S-8521 2007 vs Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Smoker Craft S-8521 2007 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 125 hp for the Smoker Craft S-8521 2007 and 125 hp for the Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004. 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Smoker Craft S-8521 2007 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 S-8521 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft S-8521 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 21,0 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
ModelS-8521
ModelVentura 172
Model Year2007
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches91
Weight - Detail1,950 lbs
Weight - DetailN/A
Weight - kg884.5
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.195
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet21
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Meters6.48
Length overall - Meters5.23
Length overall - Inches255
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 max125 hp
Engine max125
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,200 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people12
Maximum peopleN