Smoker Craft’s Phantom is as tough as nails.
By: Captain Christopher Kourtakis
Smoker Crafts’ all-new Phantom takes you back to basics with a touch of class and modern-day technology. Equipped with heavy gauge hulls, wide beams, and deep interiors, this big water boat is a serious fishing machine that is built like a battleship. Diamond plated everything throughout adds to the big water ruggedness, but up to date technology adds a touch of modern-day boating. This console forward design is what you would expect from a west coast fishing boat. 
This is not your mama’s fishing boat, and the very high windshield is no exception. This steel frame is welded to the boat and built to take waves over the bow. With the optional canvas package up, you have ample protection. Don’t worry about drainage from the water as the bow area is designed with self-bailing side drains in the sides of the boat.
The cockpit on the Phantom is basic and functional. The captain’s chair and the passenger chair both swivel and have moveable arm rests. Just behind the two chairs are face-to-face seats that fold down to provide large storage for tackle boxes and safety gear. These benches are not mounted and can be moved around as needed. The dash has your basic gauges and more than enough room for a VHF radio, sonar, fish finder, GPS and more. There is a large shelf under the tilt steering wheel that provides additional storage and mounting area for your electronics.
The massive fish box built into the stern of the boat can accommodate several salmon, steel head, walleye and more. There is no plastic anywhere in this box as it is completely welded aluminum. On either side of the Phantom’s cockpit gunnels is a large open rod locker storage area that provides easy accessibility to your favourite rod and reels. The optional tower is a must have and provides additional rocket launchers when you are trolling. Another well thought out feature is the standard wash down hose built into the transom storage area that provides an easy way to wash out the cockpit, fish boxes and more.
The motor and optional kicker motor are mounted on the large extended offshore bracket. This offshore bracket extends the running surface of the boat and provides better performance especially in rough water. The bracket also provides additional room to access the water when you want to grab the net to pull in the big boy on the end of your line.
You are going to want to order the pro pack from your dealer that is from Bert’s Custom Tackle. This includes additional rod holders that can be easily mounted to the side gunnels using the integrated mounting system. There is even an option for electric down riggers from Bert’s if you want to fully outfit the boat.
If you are a big water hard core angler, the Phantom was designed for you. This boat is perfect for a guide boat and designed for big fish, big water, and a great day of fishing on the Georgian Bay or else where on the Great Lakes.
Smoker Craft Phantom 20 X2 OS Specifications:
LOA: 20’5”
Beam: 8’0”
Fuel Capacity: 52 gal
Weight: 1,778 lbs
Seating: 6-8
Max Horsepower: 175 HP
MSRP: $72,546 USD
For more information: www.smokercraft.com
* prices and specifications subject to change without notice
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