• Welcome to the Checkmate Community Forums forums.

    You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access to our other FREE features.
    By joining our free community you will be able to:

    » Interact with over 10,000 Checkmate Fanatics from around the world!
    » Post topics and messages
    » Post and view photos
    » Communicate privately with other members
    » Access our extensive gallery of old Checkmate brochures located in our Media Gallery
    » Browse the various pictures in our Checkmate photo gallery

    Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support by clicking here or by using the"contact us" link at the bottom of the page.

Allison boats??

Boston Predictor

Boston Predictor

Well-known member
I've seen a few Allisons mentioned here and there while searching through MANY of the topics here at Checkmate-boats, and Scream and Fly, and was wondering if anybody has had one or knows anything about them.

I came across a really really sharp looking 20' or 21' hull that is gutted, and has been sitting for over 8 years and never going to be restored by the owner. The transom is solid and the hull and deck have minimal damage. All it really needs is a floor, Motor/guages, upolstry and and paint. I think he wants something like 1000 dollars for it. Seems a bit expensive for a boat that needs so much, but i dont know this thing looks like it could be a diamond in the ruff.Is this a fair price?
The whole boat is suprisingly strong all around. The quality looks really good but I am not sure if I should buy it or not. Any input would be great guys.
 
Allison hulls scream, but they are made out of kevlar. I've heard good and bad about them. But one things for sure they are very fast.
 
the marina i used to work at sold them. very nice boats, one of the fastest v-bottoms around. I believe it was one of the first v-bottoms to break 100mph. When i left we were selling them for around 60k canadian with 200xs optimax. They were running mid 90's with that power.

A word of warning though, we always sold the boats with a 26" training prop until the customer could learn how to drive the boats. i think the final prop was a 32" lab finish prop. these boats are difficult to drive to there full potential, i only no a couple of people who could and they were pulling very high 90's.

Sounds like it could be a neat project though. i may be wrong but i don't think they were made with kevlar.

Check this out:

http://www.allisonboats.com/index.php
 
BP,

Allison Boats are top notch for build quality and performance. The boat you are look at is probably an old GT-20 or something of the like. To my knowledge they stopped using wood in the late 80's and are all composite structural construction from that point on.

If it is a GT 20 that is a really cool and fast boat for its day. It does not compare with today's Allison Boats. Many people note the similarities between the Allison GT-20 and the Triad V-21.

An Allison Boat is very sensitive to weight positioning, setup, and propeller selection. If you are off you have the biggest handful you can imagine, but to an experienced V hull driver with a good set up, there is nothing more satisfying than letting it fly in one of those boats.

It really is a different animal than a Checkmate.


If you want to find out what you are looking at in the way of this project boat get the HIN and call the Allsion factory. Very friendly and helpful people.

Checkout the Allison owners website. http://www.allisonowners.com


Brian,

The link below is for your benefit on the use of Kevlar.

http://www.allisonboats.com/faq.php
 
believe it was, that was quite a few years ago now. i know you could take the passenger seat out and slide the drivers seat to the center of the boat. to see those boats up and dancing was something else!
thumb.gif
 
Chris,

Sounds right Chris. I believe they started to build the SS2000 in 1998 and side slide seat was available in the Excel. I don't think they have ever offered the slide seating in the Grandsport. What dealer did you work for?
 
Worked for Port Sandfield Marina a couple of hours north of Toronto in Muskoka. We brought in a Grand Sport, bass boat and an ss2000. We did fairly well with them while i was there, they moved 3 or 4 a year, which considering the limited appeal of boat like that was pretty good. Never had a chance to go for a ride (the owner didn't trust me with the boat and i didn't trust his driving) but we took a bunch of pictures one october day with him coming within about 20 feet of the work boat and me snapping the pictures. that was a fun afternoon.
 
LIGHT and FAST as "he!!"...

Like everyone said... great if all you want id top MPH numbers on SMOOTH WATER! I have a friend with one and it is a serious MPH rush, but sucks in any type of waves bigger than a 4" chop!!!

I don't know too much about the older ones (pre mid-90's), they have a nice narrow pad in the bottom of the "V"... and set-up is totally critical in these boats!!!...
Think of it as balancing a boat/motor/gear/and you (or passangers) on a water-ski at 100mph!

It's a great boat if ALL you want is FAST...
Eyecrazy.gif

I'd stick with a Checkmate and sacrifice a few MPH for safety and overall usability!

Just my 2 cents.... Jim.
 
Allisons are well built, extremely fast, setup is critical for the best top end numbers, and they are not for the weak at heart. You have to "drive" an Allison and the learning curve can spank you if you get to anxious. (as well in any fast boat). More importantly, the resale of an Allison is always high. If you take the time to restore the boat correctly, not only will you have something to be proud of but you should be able to get your money out of it!!
 
jrumon,

An Allison won't run any anything bigger than 4" of chop?? They are one of the best boats for their size in rough water. Obliviously the person who owns it can''t driveit or its set up terribly.
 
I've been in his boat several times... Drives nice on the smooth stuff and seriously fast due to the low weight (103+mph)! BUT>>> just too light and too thin if you are boater who gets that 12" chop on a daily basis!

Yes, you can drive it in waves, but doesn't ride worth a crud compared to a heavier or deeper V boat. My Hydrostream's were also horrible in the waves... but that's the nature of about any "HOT BOAT"... Don't get me wrong... They are a totally killer boat, but designed to run balls out down the smoother waters of a reservoir or lake???
 
Great thanks guys...
the seats are built into the hull...has a really cool dash too, sorta like the starflite. i plan on making this boat spotless! Maybe a custom paint job and interior. This thing looks SHARP! i'll try and post some pics soon.
Would it be a better idea to make it original or custom in terms of resale? and what is a reasonable price for this hull based on the info that i gave?
 
Hey Boston, if the Hull is solid, gel in good shape, transom solid, and the only thing you're replacing is a floor, a thousand bucks could be a steal. On an older boat like that you need to weigh how much you are willing to sink into it, and then compare to comprable boats of the same size/vintage that sell on this site and S&F. You don't want to go overboard unless you know you are going to keep it for the long haul.
thumb.gif
 
yeah man the hull and transom are perfect, just very minor scratches and stains. there is not any sign of spider cracks or docking damage...the paint and gel? however is crap because it's been sitting for about 8 or 9 years uncovered. I would rather re-paint the whole boat and make up my own design, which wont be too hard seeing as i am a graphic designer...
I am not sure how much a new interior would cost, but i am willing to spend a few thousand if need be.
I will try and get some pics so you guys have a better idea of what i will be dealing with.
thumb.gif
 
Brian & Chris, thanks for the links...very helpfull. It is the GT-20

I understand that there is a risk factor at high speeds in such a light boat, but I've been driving speedboats since I was 8. My dad used to let me drive the SUPERBOAT in 4-5' chop at close to 70mph when I was very young so I've learned to have really good judgement when it comes to pushing the limit. I've had Checkmates, Glastrons, Sidewinders & Sutphens too. But nothing crazy like my Predictor.I just would like something a bit roomier so i can bring more than 2 people out, and i am a speed freak so the faster the better.
I live on the ocean and will be using it on the ocean (only on calm days) and lake, but mostly ocean.
I cant imagine that the Allison will be any less stable than my Predictor on the ocean but if there is something about these boats that i dont know, please let me know. thanks
icon_smile.gif
 
Hey Boston
You will not be disappointed if you purchase an Allison. They are the most winningest sp drag boat of all time and have set or hold just about every record for speed and acceleration for a v-hull. You'll get your best advise over at http://www.allisonowners.com And from your pic it is probably a GT-20.
 
Like others have said, Allison boat are a blast to drive,but you have to drive them. I haven't driven anything built before 1992. I would love to have a Grand Sport or the XS2003. They are just not the boat for a wife and four kids.

Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top