2006 Smokercraft stinger

[northerndirt]

I was down at the local boat dealer around here the other day and was looking at the new smokercraft stinger 161 equiped with a 50 horse 4 stroke, looks like a very nice boat? anybody have any comments on this boat motor combo?

[Chubby]

I would talk to some current owners to see how satisfied they are before you buy this model.

[walleyeaddict]

Depends on what u plan to do with it. I myself would not fish out of anything smaller then 18ft...Biggest consideration is how much wind u plan on fishing in.

[Hydra Sport]

my friend has one and we have been fishing out of it for about 3 years now. While the 4 stroke is nice and quiet it does seem a bit under powered for the boat. Especially if there are a few people in the boat and if there are any waves to deal with. It is a nice boat to fish out of. Compared to my bass boat it is a lot dryer to drive. It also tows very nicely.

[The_Duckslayer]

Quote:

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It also tows very nicely.

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As in when it breaks down or as in on the way to the lake? JK ;-) Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[kslipsinker]

I have a 1996 15' Smoker with a 40 four stroke Merc. It is a great boat for what I do. I fish a lot on smaller lakes, and trip to LOW ever year. I can get about 35 MPH out of it by myself. It is a very stable boat when I am on the bow fishing, and I am 250#.

[PerchJerker]

I don't own a Smoker but I know 3 guys who do (one has traded up since then). I always thought they were nice boats, good layouts and well built. Maybe not the boat you want if you're going to be running it hard in big water (I don't think the hull is as heavy-duty as on the Lund, Alumacraft, Crestliner boats). But a great boat for fishing and ideal for smaller water where it's not going to take a beating. Good luck.

[northerndirt]

Thanks to all that have posted, I usually fish mostly small lakes with a couple of trips to vermillion or winnie each summer so I'm thinkin the boat should work real well, I think I've made up my mind.......................

[TG]

I have a 1994, 161 Pro Mag, 65 horse Suzuki 3 stoke. Its a great boat. I was on Cass with big waves, 3 guys in the boat and did great. The hull is very solid. I will run this boat a long time.

[TG]

3 stroke? Sorry hit the wrong key, yes a 2!!!!

[bassguru]

I have a 1992 161 pro mag Smokercraft, with a 1994 Suzuki 2 stroke. Originaly came with a 75. Go with the max horsepower.

The Smokercraft has been a good boat,I would have no second thoughts about buying another.

Again, max out the motor, you won't regret it.

bassguru

[Hydra Sport]

Northerndirt, Bassguru is right you won,t regret it but speaking from experience the stinger with the 50 will not quite cut it. Sure when you first get it all will be ok but the longer you have it and the more situations you experience you WILL be wishing you had some more power. Pulling tubes, skiers, a quick run out of the rain, 3 guys in the boat along with gear, just to name a few, runs across big lakes. These are a few things that come to mind that we find ourselves just dealing with it instead of the boat meeting the needs. The boat is fine. You will not regret spending a bit more on some more power. If you do it now you will be happier with the rig for longer. As we all know things just get more expensive as time passes. So go for the gusto now and save yourself some $$ down the road. Bass Guru's setup sounds good. Trust me on this Northern. The biggest mistake guys make is under powering their boats. I've been boating for almost 20 years now and when I took a coast guard safety class that was what we were told. Enough of my yapping on. Best of luck.

[elrom]

my two cents...if you can afford more power, buy it...I'm one of those who now regrets not getting a bigger motor...I have a 50 hp Suzuki on a 16' Lund Explorer and wish I had put the max allowed...with a combination of growing kids being pulled on the watertoys or buddies fishing with me, more power would have been nice...well,

there's always the next boat!

[Jaypo]

I have a '98 Smokercraft 161 ProMag with a 70 hp Evinrude and I am very happy with it. When the kids get older, I am sure I will want to power up further, but the 70 does well with 3 adults fishing most anywhere. It did not like 4' rollers on Mille Lacs, but few boats do...

My dad has the 16.5 ft Alumacraft Magnbum, but with the 50 hp 4 stroke Yamaha and it is drastically underpowered. Amazing that 20 hp can make such a difference, but it does. Sure would like the 90 horse...