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Smokercraft
192 Ultima by
Craig Ritchie
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A full list of features packed into a rock-solid hull
makes this versatile fishing machine a winner.
 Canada
is legendary for its diverse fishing opportunities,
but finding a boat that’s capable of taking advantage
of them all is quite a challenge. Enter Smokercraft’s
192 Ultima, which handles everything from shallow water
bass fishing to offshore trolling with aplomb.
Built on Smokercraft’s exclusive Hydra-Lift aluminum
rolled-V hull, the 192 offers a delightfully smooth,
dry ride and an awesome hole shot. The hull bottom is
crafted from thick .125-inch aluminum plate while the
sides use only slightly less substantial .086 plate,
which partially explains the Ultima’s dry weight
of 1,450 pounds. This boat is no lightweight pushover,
yet it’s massive 96-inch beam delivers a shallow
enough draft so you can launch it just about anywhere.
The 192 is rated to handle outboards up to a whopping
175 hp. Our test boat was powered by Yamaha’s
outstanding F150 four-stroke, which was fitted with
a three-blade stainless prop. Talk about a match made
in heaven – with two people on board and a half-tank
of fuel, it popped up on plane in just over three seconds.
Acceleration from zero to 30 mph took just 11 seconds.
Top speed was an indicated of 42 mph. Handling at all
speeds was predictable and solid – the Hydra-Lift
hull provided a steady ride with no evidence of chine
walking or slip, regardless of trim setting. Even at
reasonably high speeds, the Ultima handled sharp turns
with ease. The predictable handling and 38-inch interior
depth inspire confidence that this rig can handle just
about anything thrown its way.
The interior layout reflects the Ultima’s versatility.
A large, raised casting deck in the bow (plus a smaller
one in the stern) offers tremendous visibility for fishermen
casting to targets like weed edges or drop-offs. Vast
under-deck storage, including a substantial locker in
the cockpit sole, accommodates everything from PFDs
to tackle. While there is ample rod storage in each
gunnel, I found the port rod locker door could not be
opened completely without removing the adjacent seat.
The Ultima has two livewells for your catch, a 12-gallon
well up front, and a larger 23-gallon model in the stern.
The gunnels are reinforced for mounting downriggers,
again emphasizing the incredible versatility of this
design.
The helm is efficiently laid out with crisp black-on-white
gauges – speedometer, tach, voltmeter, lighted
compass and fuel gauge – set in deep bezels to
protect against rain and spray. Hydraulic steering and
an AM/FM/CD player comes standard. The premium-grade
vinyl seats are secure and comfortable, with effective
lumbar support and no-pinch hinges. Five seat bases
provide flexibility, which emphasizes the Ultima’s
great adaptability.
Anglers looking for a well-built, well-designed fishing
boat that can handle everything from bass to lake trout
will enjoy the 192 Ultima. |
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