Captain's Report

Captain's Report

Five Keels

Smoker Craft have been catching fish since John Smoker built his first boat in 1934, in Goshen, Indiana. Naturally, it was a wooden boat, but since 1964 the Smoker family has been building its boats in aluminum, and building them to last. The 182 Pro Mag rides on a one-piece .125 gauge bottom, double riveted to .080 sides. Hat-shaped ribs on 10" centers provide bottom support and rigidity – Smoker Craft calls this AIRS, or Advanced Integrated Rib System. Between the structural members, injected urethane foam eliminates water collection pockets, adds buoyancy and produces a quieter ride. The deck and cockpit sole are treated XL plywood, warranted for life against warp or rot, covered with UV-stabilized marine carpet. The hull is finished in twice-baked urethane paint; black is standard.

Most aluminum boats like the 182 Pro Mag have basic V-bottoms, but Smoker Craft adds curves in just the right places to improve handling and shorten hole shots. The company's Hydra-Lift Rolled V-Hull has integrated reverse chines that add lift aft, keeping the bow down and providing better control during acceleration. On plane, the chines knock down spray and keep the ride dry. Five external keels, one on the centerline and two on each side, also improve stability and handling, and offer extra protection against whacking a snag or underwater obstruction.

Non-Fishing Options

The 182 Pro Mag comes with all the fishing gear most folks need, other than rods, tackle and bait. Most fishermen will want to add canvas, maybe a top and side curtains or just a Bimini, but otherwise the boat's ready to go fishing with just standard equipment. But not many folks fish 100% of the time – they have families who like boating, too. For them, Smoker Craft offers a few fun options, like a stereo with MP3 port; the standard boat is tunes-free. A ski-tow eye is optional, and will be welcomed by kids not into piscatorial pursuits; ditto the available swim platform. (For options prices, contact your Smoker Craft dealer.)

Power and Performance

Maximum power for the 182 Pro Mag is a single 150-hp outboard, and from what we can see that's how most boats are rigged. Capt. Bob Smith tested the boat with a 150-hp Mercury Optimax, and found her top speed to be 49.0 mph (78.9 kph), best cruise 31.3 mph (50.4 kph). Wide-open, the boat burned 13.8 gph (52.23 lph), or 3.55 mpg (1.51 kpl), but throttling back to cruise boosted economy to 4.38 mpg (1.86 kpl). That gives the boat a cruising range of 122 miles (196 k) with a 10% fuel reserve.After the test, Capt. Bob said, "It was quite windy on the inland lake we tested on, but I was impressed with the quietness of the ride in this aluminum rig. She has good turning radius with little slip or blow out and still has a boost of speed when you pour on the coals near top end."

Price and Recommendation

We canvassed several dealers and found the 182 Pro Mag for sale at around $25,000 with a 150-hp two-stroke outboard and a trailer. We think that price makes the Pro Mag a very attractive boat for both serious fishing and just plain having fun on the water. If you're looking for a family fishing rig that is stylish and comfortable, the Smoker Craft 182 Pro Mag should be on your list.

Standard and Optional Features