Boat Review: Smoker Craft 17' Osprey

It's difficult to say what the future holds for boating. Will their be radical new developments that will forever transform the style and design of today's boats? Will builders try to deliver more speed, comfort, economy or styling? Those questions are best left for those with crystal balls. The truth of the matter is that today's changes in boat design and configuration are, for the most part, subtle. But even with subtle changes, the results can be dynamic.

Smoker Craft answered the market in 2002 with the development and extension of an already popular series of boats, The Osprey. The 16' model has been wildly popular since its introduction just a few short years ago. The success of the 16' Osprey opened new horizons of product development --- a 17' model.

The Osprey represents one of those rare moments in boating when something new comes forward that's innovative for so many reasons. First and foremost, the boat works well. It's wide, deep, stable, planes easily and affords the owner plenty of important interior space.

It's a rich looking boat with paint schemes and finish work you'd expect to find on high-end models that are double the price. And most remarkably, the Osprey's affordable.

Anglers who identified with the smart styling and low sticker price immediately embraced the 16' standard and DLX models.

Wanting to capitalize on the success of the Osprey, Smoker Craft went to work innovating a new larger model, it took more than a year but the results were well worth the wait.

I had the privilege of seeing the first proto-type models of the new seventeen footer and the care that was given to every square inch of the boat. The 17' Osprey was truly a collective effort. Dealers weighed in, customer's, both past and present had their fingerprints on the project as well, and Smoker Craft's incredible building and management team lent their expertise in creating a product that looks to be a perfect fit for N.W. boaters.

Now, just a few months into 2002 it looks as if all the hard work's paid off. Sales of the new 17' model have been brisk as the market's responded with a resounding chorus of applause that's evidenced in escalating sales.

It's the pay-off for hitting the mark with an educated and discriminating market…N.W. anglers.

The 17' Osprey DLX features an enormous 91" beam with a depth of 36", and Smoker Craft's exclusive Rolled V Hydra-Lift Hull that allows the boat to plane easily and run more efficiently than conventional V-bottoms. The addition of the Rolled V Hydra-Lift Hull is a savings of sorts. The effectiveness of this hull allows the owner to purchase less horsepower to achieve performance that would otherwise be unobtainable with traditional bottom designs.

We tested the boat with a 50 h.p. 4 Stroke outboard. It planed instantly and ran beautifully with two adults.

But that's only part of the story. Like all Smoker Craft models, the 17' Osprey is backed by a Lifetime Warranty on all riveted seams and has dozens of construction features that set it apart from all others in its class.

Smoker Craft has made enormous investment in developing its proprietary AIRS (Advanced Integrated Rib System) construction. More than a buzz-word, AIRS is an honest standard that delivers incredible strength using a series of ribs that run latitudinally to the to bow area where heavy duty hat-channel ribs are placed longitudinally. The result is the strongest bottom in its class…period. Add to that 5 bottom keels that run the length of the bottom and you have a boat that's rock-solid tough and performs flawlessly at all throttle settings.

Smoker Craft's done a number of other things that really set them apart in the often cluttered fishing boat arena. The lapstrake sidewall for one provides added sidewall strength…a Smoker Craft exclusive. The pressed in spray rail is another unique feature that deflects spray away from the boat and its passengers keeping everyone dry, even in a stiff chop.

If it's the little things that count, Smoker Craft has risen above the noise to address the fine details.

The floor and deck is constructed from Panelam, a lifetime material that won't warp or rot and is a breeze to clean. Toe kicks are cut into each sidewall under the rod storage area and allow an angler's feet to slip easily into place for added security when netting or fighting a fish. Port and starboard rod storage is standard as is the cavernous locking glove box. A full coaming gunwale not only provides additional structure to the Osprey, it makes an ideal mounting deck for downriggers, or tred area for getting in and out of the boat.

Angler's will take note of the enormous fishing area that's provided in the rear half of the boat. In a world dominated by "not enough", Smoker Craft has done an exceptional job of addressing a common concern by making interior space a significant feature of the 17' Osprey. In fact, it's the first thing newcomers to this model comment on… "Wow, that's a big 17'!"

You'll find the features list is long at any price, thankfully, the 17' Osprey has been priced affordably in its category. Items like a 25 gallon livewell that also doubles nicely as a cooler or fish box , 24 gallon built-in fuel tank, tilt steering, port and starboard stern battery storage, custom seating, circuit breakers on all switches, trolling motor plug at the bow, instrumentation, and a horn are also all standard equipment.

Smoker Craft's 17' Osprey is no "also ran"…. and that's precisely why it's running away from the competition.