Smoker Craft S-8527  2006 boat specs
Smoker Craft
Smoker Craft S-8527 2006
2006
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VS
Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 boat specs
Smoker Craft
Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004
2004
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Smoker Craft S-8527 2006 vs Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Smoker Craft S-8527 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 200 hp, the Smoker Craft S-8527 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004's 125-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 S-8527 2006 is rated for 18 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-8527 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Smoker Craft S-8527 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 27,0 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-8527
ModelVentura 172
Model Year2006
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in
Beam91 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches91
Weight - Detail2,855 lbs
Weight - DetailN/A
Weight - kg1295.01
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.2855
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet27
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Meters8.31
Length overall - Meters5.23
Length overall - Inches327
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 max200 hp
Engine max125
Operational Info
Maximum capacity3,250 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people18
Maximum peopleN

Smoker Craft S-8527 2006 vs Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 — Common Questions

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Smoker Craft S-8527 2006 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 tops out at 125 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Smoker Craft S-8527 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 18 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 is certified for 5. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Smoker Craft S-8527 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Smoker Craft S-8527 2006 and Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Smoker Craft S-8527 2006 and the Smoker Craft Ventura 172 2004 are built by Smoker Craft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.