When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2013 and the Smoker Craft Voyager 14 2009 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2013 measures 17,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Smoker Craft Voyager 14 2009 at 14,0 feet (2009). At 135 lbs and 185 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2013 has a 115-hp advantage over the Smoker Craft Voyager 14 2009's 35-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 Ultima 172 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Smoker Craft Voyager 14 2009 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Smoker Craft Ultima 172 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 5 lbs per hp for the Smoker Craft Voyager 14 2009. 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.