Almost Summer in TN - Allison Time

[ecpunk]

I've lived on Watts Bar for most of my life, and have always oddly enjoyed other people's boats, but never really gotten anything for myself. I have owned a jetski for a while, a nicer Moomba for the family (which was sold and replaced by a new driveway...), and a jon boat that is nearly as old as I am. I enjoy rebuilding engines, and have recently taken up restoring old outboards.

I just realized that I've been lurking on this board a few times a week in the classifieds... for a year now. I really like just knowing what is for sale :). I have my mind set on a boat that I can't readily find - an Allison Grandsport. They're made just a few miles away, and just like my Moomba, will probably have to drive half way across the country to find one that I like. I'm good with that. That being said, when I do find something, I would like to mate it up with a motor that is a lot of fun too. I can literally hit a golf ball into 3 different yards of guys that own Allisons, and I'm fairly certain they run back and forth in front of the dock to torment me. Anyway, I love Merc's, and have a fairly sound knowledge of two strokes, but one thing I'm having a hard time figuring out are all the late 80's to late 90's Mercs! There seem to be a million, and all of them will put you at or over 100mph on a GS. I'm not sure if I would see any huge advantage of one motor over another other than reliability maybe.

Any thoughts around the GS and the right motor? My criteria are: fast... and... yeah, thats it. If it could sound like the one in the video, that would be a plus! :). Sorry for the lame first post, but you have to start somewhere!

http://youtu.be/p3lxqPKBJIc?t=1m6s

[Dave Strong]

GS would be nice with a 225 Pro Max, that being said does not sound like you have a lot high performance boat driving under your belt. That combo can be a danger in the hands of a rookie. Best to have someone with seat time to teach you how to drive it. JMO Good luck and be careful you don't learn how to drive a boat like that in a weekend.

Dave

[silverbullet02]

What part of the lake you on? Who are the guys you can hit with a golf ball? If they're who I think they are you'd be hard pressed to find guys who can answer those questions better than them. I live in Kingston too, right off Gallaher Rd.

[ecpunk]

What part of the lake you on? Who are the guys you can hit with a golf ball? If they're who I think they are you'd be hard pressed to find guys who can answer those questions better than them. I live in Kingston too, right off Gallaher Rd.

I'm in the cove where lakeside golf course is at. I'm in the new Barney blue house. You can't miss it!

I may or may not have hit some balls into the Oran's yard... In my defense, it was with a 5 iron, and that is quite a shot when I'm able to make it across the cove! I could hit the neighbors on both sides, who have Allison's, and about 3 houses down on my side of the lake - that guy goes through quite a few boats. I would need to really work on my hook to get it into his yard though.

About my driving experience, no, I have never owned a high performance boat. I do appreciate the advice though. I've managed to drive a friend's bullet right at 70 a few times while out fishing, which was where I felt comfortable at the time in that boat. I think with some seat time, it is like anything else, I will get the hang of it. I definitely am cautious more than crazy :).

[silverbullet02]

That's who I figured you were talking about. I'd start by talking to them. I know of a bunch of Allisons on Watts Bar but no Grandsports. June 15-22 is the big Allison rally going on based out of Terrace View. Gonna be a lot of A-botes there, most likely a GS with a 175 pro xs and another with a 250 xs. Also, Glenn Reynolds has a new one with a 175 pro xs for sale if you wanna check it out. If you wanna check out my 2003 let me know, I'm 10 minutes away. Have a good one,

Brian