Smoker Craft Phantom 20 OS Review

For many years Smoker Craft has enjoyed unshakable loyalty among serious offshore fishermen with its brilliant Phantom, a no-nonsense, 20-foot offshore fishing boat that’s built for heavy-duty use on big water. When it came time to update the classic Phantom and give it some fresh, modern updates, Smoker Craft didn’t leave any stones unturned. The result – the all-new Smoker Craft Phantom 20 OS – is a boat that raises the bar on offshore fishing boats in important ways. Where the original Phantom was a great boat, the new one is a game-changer.

Built on a deep-V welded aluminum hull and fitted with a large welded windshield, the Phantom 20 OS handles big water and poor weather with ease.

Built on a deep-V welded aluminum hull with a wave-eating 19-degree deadrise, the Smoker Craft Phantom 20 OS is designed for making long runs over open water while keeping its occupants safe, warm and dry. The new hull adds two degrees of deadrise to that of the original for even greater rough water capability, while retaining the tall freeboard that ensures a dry ride for everyone onboard.

The all-welded hull uses hefty .160 thick bottom plates, while the gunnel plates are formed from beefy .125 aluminum. What that means is that the bottom plates are twice as thick as those of some competitors, while even the sides are made from thicker plating than some other boats use for the bottom, giving the Phantom an unequalled level of durability. Yet in spite of this battleship-like construction, the Phantom 202 has a dry weight of just 1,625 pounds, making it easily towable with a mid-sized pickup or SUV.

In spite of its battleship-like construction, the Phantom 20 OS weighs just 1,625 pounds, making it easily towable with a mid-sized truck.

The Smoker Craft Phantom 20 OS keeps the helm-forward design of the original, complete with its raised bow casting deck and massive, walk-through safety glass windshield. This sturdy design not only provides the crew with excellent visibility with full protection from the elements (particularly with the optional canvas enclosure), but allows for a wide-open stern, with plenty of room for fighting big fish.

Step inside and the mass of this boat becomes clear. Interior depth is a healthy 33 inches, with a 25-inch transom. Where some boats have cleats attached with bolts (or even wood screws), on the Phantom they’re welded into place. There’s diamond plate everywhere, while welded, stainless steel grab rails provide extra occupant security in big water. Gunnels include a water channel to deal with any spray that comes into the boat.

The redesigned transom features loads of diamond plate, a huge top-mounted fish box, excellent access to batteries and electrical components, and plenty of tackle storage.

Because big water is seldom glass calm, Smoker Craft paid special attention to the seating in the Phantom 20 OS. The driver and companion ride on pedestal-mount, thickly upholstered fishing seats with adjustable padded arm rests, while additional passengers stay warm and dry on a pair of facing bench seats with storage in their bases. The flooring throughout is hard-wearing vinyl, with diamond plate used for hatch lids. This doesn’t just provide greater durability, it also makes clean-ups a snap – especially if buyers spring for the optional wash-down kit which makes super-easy to blast away any fish scales or crud that winds up on the cockpit floor.

An available wash-down kit makes it easy to quickly spray away fish scales or other debris. Note Smoker Craft’s HGTS, or High Gunnel Track System, both on the gunnel top and the mid-level shelf, which makes it a breeze to mount accessories anywhere and without having to drill any holes in the boat.

The elevated helm console is simple and straight-forward, with classic black-on-white analogue gauges, including a speedometer to 65 mph, tach, fuel gauge and volt meter. All gauges are set on a simple black dash panel that’s flat-topped, providing plenty of space for mounting a high-end multi-function touch screen display. Heavy-duty rocker switches to either side of the panel control the bilge pump, navigation lights and accessories, while a 12-volt power outlet offers added convenience.

Hydraulic steering now comes as standard equipment – a good thing, given the Phantom’s new 250 horsepower rating. The dash top provides all kinds of room for bolt-on electronics.

At the base of each console is a large storage space with a wide opening for easy access. A large glove box occupies the upper portion of the passenger console, providing a secure place to store keys, cell phones and other valuables. Hydraulic steering now comes standard, as a thoughtful factory upgrade.

Cockpit seats fold flat if desired, or flip forward to reveal huge storage lockers for gear.

Because the Smoker Craft Phantom 20 OS is designed for trolling in open water, the manufacturer wisely kept the stern clear and unencumbered. But where the original boat offered a simple transom splash well, the new model features a completely redesigned transom that greatly increases the boat’s overall usefulness. That includes mounting the outboard on a large bracket for additional cockpit space, including room for the redesigned transom featuring a massive topside fish box, completely redesigned battery storage, and extensive use of still more diamond plate to give this boat a truly distinctive look.

Running across the transom and surrounding the cockpit interior is Smoker Craft’s HGTS, or High Gunnel Track System, which allows the easy mounting of fishing accessories anywhere without having to drill any holes in the boat.

Front deck in-floor storage compartments feature diamond plate hatches.

Triple rod storage racks mounted under the gunnel on each side provide a secure place to store extra rods, or keep them safe while running to and from different spots. You’ll find convenient toeholds along the base of each coaming gunnel, providing an additional measure of comfort and security while fighting big fish with both hands in wavy conditions.

Built for serious offshore fishing, Smoker Craft’s Phantom 20 OS raises the bar for offshore fishing boat performance.

Where the original Phantom was rated to handle outboards to 175 horsepower, the new 20 OS stretches that up to 250 ponies, giving the new boat a top speed in the 50 mph range and allowing it to cover longer distances in less time – while still delivering outstanding fuel economy.

The new Smoker Craft Phantom 20 OS raises the bar and takes offshore performance to a whole new level. Looking for durable, heavy-duty big water fishing boat? Your search is over.