I have a chance to get a pretty good deal on a new boat. It is a 97 Smokercraft 16.5 161 Pro Mag. I have heard good things about Smokers, and the layout is axactly what I am looking for. The only thing that I am unsure of is the motor. Does anyone have any experiance (good or bad) with the mid 90s Evinrudes? Or any issues with the mid 90s Smoker Crafts for that matter?
The 88SPL is just a 90, without the VRO oiling system, so you have to mix your own oil & gas. I hung a 1987 version on a mid-80’s 18′ Sylvan aluminum WT, nearly 30 years later that boat & motor are still dragging skiers around.
Probably not well suited for hours & hours of low-rpm trolling, but a lot of low end torque.
HRG
my fishing pals first boat was a smokercraft. that was a really rough ride. couldnt tell ya the make/model/year so i dont know if its in the same range as the boat you are looking at but it was a bumpy ride in that boat. he only owned it for one summer before selling it and getting a used lund.
The 88hp is a good motor. It was the VRO systems that were suspect. Without the oil injection they are bulletproof. I believe the 88 doesn’t come with power trim either. I know nothing about smokercraft.
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