Buying a Allison Grandsport this week.

[200valeroyt]

I decided to try one after looking at them here and there for the past several years. The one i'm getting is a 1994 with a 2000-225 Promax. I know Darris doesn't recommend a 3.0, but i'm curious as to how many have run the heavier 3.0's successfully? I may be letting my Viper go before too long if I like the GS as much as i'm hoping. :thumbsup:

[JWTjr.]

a 3L will run well on a GS if placed closer to the transom than a 2.5. If you're not interested in your Viper for the nostalgia and "little fast boat" factor, you will surely release it after driving a GS.

John

[200valeroyt]

Yea, that's kinda what i'm thinking. I've spent a ton of money and time getting the Viper where I wanted it, but I'll probably list it soon to offset some of the cost on the new toy.

[noli]

.


please share pics of both boats when you can

[Ziemer]

I decided to try one after looking at them here and there for the past several years. The one i'm getting is a 1994 with a 2000-225 Promax. I know Darris doesn't recommend a 3.0, but i'm curious as to how many have run the heavier 3.0's successfully? I may be letting my Viper go before too long if I like the GS as much as i'm hoping. :thumbsup:

Had a Vector before mine, and I'd have a hard time getting back into one, even if it were just to take a quick cruise. Night and Day difference between the 2. Also, don't be quick to dump that ProMax...my opinion, that's about the best combo going. Easily a 95 mph boat with the right setup, and a motor that will run for a long time with great fuel economy. ;)

[200valeroyt]

It seems like I read where one ran 97 with a promax? Was that you?

[Ziemer]

It seems like I read where one ran 97 with a promax? Was that you?

No, not mine. There's been a few in the 97-98 range. ;) Been wanting to try one on my boat, cuz knowing what mine will do with a 260, I'm pretty sure 100 is possible.

[whipper]

Ive run 97 with my promax and some guys have ran over 100 with a real big cleaver. The Grand Sport was the first 20ft vee hull to run over 100 with a 225. Expect 90-93 or 94 most days solo with good 28-30 pitch prop. Not stringing her out on the trim 90 is easy as pie with some seat time with a 28. To get over 95 the weather and water temps have to be great and you will be on the edge to were one or two more bumps might be to many.:] Spring and fall boating yield the fastest top speeds. Super quick almost like a drag boat though. So the fun for me is punching her from 30mph and your doing 85 in very few seconds. Ziemer has a sweet 260 and can run 106+ish. Im on my 9th year with mine with a 225pm with pretty much just reg maintenance. Was out yesterday and it still runs better than ever!! Mines a 96 promax.


BTW I really really love the one you bought. I think the white shows off the sexy lines these hulls have on and off the water. Pluss the white is the longest lasting shine. My black is a pain in the rump to keep a shine on!! Colour fades faster than white. :thumbsup:

[harrells]

I love my GS with 3.0L 250 Sport XS299178Runs 95mph with a 28p trophy plus all over the limiter like it's on rails. Still searching for a top end prop.

[200valeroyt]

Thanks, i'm really looking forward to trying it out. This one only has 9- 1/2" of setback. I think 12-14" is where it needs to be?

[Michael J Giesler]

I personally would not put a 3.0 liter on the back of a gs if your looking for fast and mpg I would put a gen 2 200xs on the back and be done with it speed between 90-100

[bigbluechevy454]

not to offend anyone but theres no comparing a allison to a hydrostream u will never look back not saying hydrostreams are bad they have there place but they arent a ally

[H20WKD]

Hard to beat a GS with a PM. We love ours, one of the best boats made....
:cool: http://i59.tinypic.com/dlp8pz.jpg :thumbsup:

Bob

[racerx]

I got me my 1st GS last month had 25 hours use with a standard 280 I got to hang it out last week on some flat calm water and ran a 104 with a 30 hoss on the limiter with a half inch under the pad and drove on rails even my wife likes it...

[props4u2]

!2" set back with a 225 PM runs and handles the best on a GrandSport in my opinion.

[200valeroyt]

!2" set back with a 225 PM runs and handles the best on a GrandSport in my opinion.Yea, thats what ive been seeing, also 14".

[whipper]

I would have to say after trying every position on the setback that it all depends on the drivers weight. And the loads your normally carrying. But yes 11-12 is a great compromise for all round use. At 225lbs i like 10 better than 14 solo at 1/4 below to even depending on prop and if there is any lip or pad mods. Theres a lot of variables and what will work best for you will happen with seat time and playing around with setup once you get the feel for what your wanting out of her. The amount of trim to carry the driver at the fulcrum point the hull was designed to run at for max thrust will be your best setup. A light guy with a 260 will need less setback than a heavy guy with a 225. Put passengers in and every thing changes again. :D I find my hole shots better with less setback but liked more with passengers. I run solo more than with passengers so have the setup more geared toward that.

[HydroSkreamin]

The amount of trim to carry the driver at the fulcrum point the hull was designed to run at for max thrust will be your best setup. A light guy with a 260 will need less setback than a heavy guy with a 225. Put passengers in and every thing changes again. :D I find my hole shots better with less setback but liked more with passengers.
Very well said, this is becoming my observation as well after talking to several owners of my hull style as well. I was originally informed by some good setup guys that the setback was so you were able to raise the gearcase, and what I'm seeing is most guys are using it to adjust the CG on their boat. If you wish it was further back with passengers, that tells me your passengers are ahead of the CG, requiring you to move it further out on the teeter-totter to even it out. Good observation. The CG must be quite aft on that. Optimally, you'd like your back seat and fuel tank to be on the CG, so when you take passengers or fuel it doesn't affect your setup as much, but in a shorter boat, that is where the compromise is due to practicality.

[whipper]

Yea. Darris told me it was just behind the front seats once.Ive always wanted to take a level and a high ab and place the hull lightly on a round log to mark exactly were it is. If i ever go 3.0lt on mine Im going to do exactly that. Mark it with the 2.5 as she is now then put the 300xs on and adjust as necessary to make the CG the same.

I can tell you what happen to me once. I have a buddy who is 235. I have taken him for several boat rides over the years when I was at 13ish set back with no issue other than the extra weight sucked.:] I took him for a ride when I moved mine into 10 setback. I needed excessive trim to get the hull out as dry as I wanted for speed. To the point were I blew out and around we went! I ended up with a 235 pound baby on my lap.:D After apologizing, no one got hurt except my ego, as a jet pilot he was understanding after I explained what happen and that i felt I was trimming to much and did over trim. Once we got going faster into the 80,s and hull lifted it was to much trim.

When I take a heavy guy for ride i just take it easy at this setback. Ive been toying with the idea of moving it back out a little again. I just love how flat she takes off at 10 with a small wheel though. Handling is awesome and could take my hands of the wheel at 90. But I dont. I did take a video and raised my right hand at 94 just to show how balanced she was once. If theres passengers in the back seat I would just make sure the heavy ones were back there to off set the weight in the front seats. All this only matters when shooting for 80 with passengers. Up to 65 or less its not as critical.

[madtunnel]

Congrats on the new ride Sean perfect boat for the river.

[200valeroyt]

Thank ya, the deal was finalized today. The boat is coming from Michigan, I hope to have it here in the next week or two.

[whipper]

Thank ya, the deal was finalized today. The boat is coming from Michigan, I hope to have it here in the next week or two.

Your going to love her LOTS!!! So smooth so refined and quick.

[200valeroyt]

Really looking forward to getting it!:thumbsup:

[Tom D.]

Nice!

[Fasprop]

Your getting my twin! Your going to love that boat once you get all the little things like you want done. Like Lee said a 12 plate @ 1/4 below with a good gearcase and your golden. Mine runs 97 in decent air with the 225X all day long.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t444/faspropXS/gsboathouse_zps0b230bd9.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/faspropXS/media/gsboathouse_zps0b230bd9.jpg.html)

[200valeroyt]

Good looking GS there, mine is suppose to be down here Sunday.

[2Fast2Pass]

http://i61.tinypic.com/wlc7wy.jpg

[R.grover]

post a pic of your gs when u have it

[whipper]

Good looking GS there, mine is suppose to be down here Sunday.

Two more days nice!! Yours and Chris,s are the only two all white ones Ive ever seen. I personally think that is the best color for any boat. Looks so classy! Yours looks to be as nice as they come also!! Nice with no wood Allisons are they will last a life time!! The only thing as any boat they ever need is upholstery every 10 years or so with wear. You just call Bill at allison give him your vin number and for a very fair cost you get new seat covers and sunpads and your back to looking like brand new again. So awesome!! They even sell the carpet kits to fit your boat perfectly. Not sure if you have the stock ski pylon or an extended aftermarket one? But alot of us have bought the anodized one from dana marine for 180 bucks. Its way longer and fits the 2 inch od wear the stock one goes nicely. They just clear the Alien cowl better so you dont get rope rash on the cowl especially if tubing over waves. Everything you ever wanted to know and more is all ready on the Allison forum. There isn't to many thing that haven't been covered about the GS over there now. Cant wait to hear how your first day boating goes with the GS.
The 1/4 below and any measurement to prop shaft has to be done very accurately on a flat surface. They are very sensitive to input. So accuracy on the trim and knowing wear your at all the time makes for a very pleasing ride. Think of her a precision weapon that demands respect and she will treat you with years of enjoyment.:cheers:

[whipper]

http://i61.tinypic.com/wlc7wy.jpg

Best running pic of a GS of all time!! Sweet!!

[Fasprop]

Good looking GS there, mine is suppose to be down here Sunday. Happy Fathers Day then! :cheers:

[200valeroyt]

Thanks guys:thumbsup: I'm hoping it'll run like i'm expecting, should be fun! I've definitely been researching things over on the allison board, good info. Going to miss this ol girl when she sells!

[njj502]

I run a PM on mine. 12" setback w a 28 knob cut. I've seen 98 out of it and just busted 94 the other night, warm & humid. Great boat, extremely well built, handles great if it's properly balanced & fast as **** for a 'big' sport boat. Have fun with it!

[200valeroyt]

The boat arrived late Sunday. It's in good overall condition, especially for a 20 yr old boat. Now time to address the loose steering and mounts, it's a darty bitxx in the high 70's!

[specboatops]

I've always thought those were/ are VERY sharp boats, everyone who has had one has liked it. They look fast just sitting on the trailer...

[200valeroyt]

As it sits right now, it can't be driven safely at high speeds. The steering needs to be bleed, upper solid mounts replaced or shimmed and the prop is way too deep. It's nothing like the security of my lil viper currently.

[Sonik]

Looks like the NY boat that was for sale recently. I saw that boat at the Romp last year when I was up there. Nice pick up! :thumbsup:

[200valeroyt]

Thanks...It could be the same one? This one came out of Michigan, i'm not sure he made any boating events with it though? I believe he mainly used it with his family at local lake?

[kj mac]

Hi guys,,,, I also have a grand sport, mines a '91 model with a '96 225 promax. I am currently running a 27 quad 4 and seeing about 85 mph with two people, I've ran a 26 chopper and get about the same speed. I bought a 24 trophy awhile back to run when I'm loaded down but haven't had a chance to try it yet. I'm from northern MN and the weather has been terrible for boating, rain and wind every weekend. This is our third Summer in a grandsport .

[Sonik]

Hmmm....I couldn't find the F/S thread to link it for you. He may have sold it and deleted the thread. This guy lives in New York and boats on the Great Sacandaga Lake where they hold the Romp. Same as yours....solid color, no stripes, w/ black/silver pin stripes. Had a 200 carb motor on it though. At any rate...can't wait to see how she shakes out....good luck with her!!!

[whipper]

The boat arrived late Sunday. It's in good overall condition, especially for a 20 yr old boat. Now time to address the loose steering and mounts, it's a darty bitxx in the high 70's!

I only have one solid mount. With the right counter weight and a little seat time you can take your hands off the wheel. but yes when i got mine she was a dirty bitch for a little while until you realize how much you {don't} have to counter steer.:D Allisons are one of the hardest boats on the planet to master but once you do theres not much else that will match them power to power. She will drive so true and straight all the time youll wonder how it was possible to get snaky like the first couple of times. Welcome to the club!!haha

Solid mounts will help uppers and lowers but thats not why she got snaky unless you have a lot of play? I would find someone near ya who has been driving Allisons for a while and take them out and let them drive her and they will be able to tell you how the setup is weather safe or not. Its really hard to tell until you can drive her like an arrow with {zero} chine walk. JR in Jax goes out lots and Ziemer maybe call them and go for a rip. Those two have had a GS for over 10 years and can make recommendations if any.

[200valeroyt]

Yea, there's alot of play everywhere! The upper mounts are moving in the 2 pc exhaust plate, which is one of the biggest problems. The motor is around an inch below the pad. I just wanted to make a quick trip after work yesterday with it, I wasn't expecting good things in the handling dept before going. I have plenty of things to go through, it should be fun

[Scott Gilmore]

Hmmm....I couldn't find the F/S thread to link it for you. He may have sold it and deleted the thread. This guy lives in New York and boats on the Great Sacandaga Lake where they hold the Romp. Same as yours....solid color, no stripes, w/ black/silver pin stripes. Had a 200 carb motor on it though. At any rate...can't wait to see how she shakes out....good luck with her!!!
That was one of my old boats (1994) & it was also from Michigan but not the same XS2003 that 200valero bought. Weird though they were both for sale @ the same time !! Scott :cheers:

[whipper]

Yea, there's alot of play everywhere! The upper mounts are moving in the 2 pc exhaust plate, which is one of the biggest problems. The motor is around an inch below the pad. I just wanted to make a quick trip after work yesterday with it, I wasn't expecting good things in the handling dept before going. I have plenty of things to go through, it should be fun


Got ya.

[Ziemer]

Congrats on the new ride! Get the steering and mounts squared away and definitely raise that motor. Somewhere around 1/2"-1/4" below. Then go up go up from there.

It will drive completely different than your Viper. Hydraulic steering is the ticket though. You'll be just fine. Good luck!

[200valeroyt]

I checked a few things this evening. The motor was not as low as I initially thought, 1/4" below. I also bleed the steering. The upper mounts are flopping around bad. Ran 86.8, much more to be had.

[200valeroyt]

Congrats on the new ride! Get the steering and mounts squared away and definitely raise that motor. Somewhere around 1/2"-1/4" below. Then go up go up from there.

It will drive completely different than your Viper. Hydraulic steering is the ticket though. You'll be just fine. Good luck!
Thanks! It has standard seastar pro. I had it up to 1/2" over tonight, but gets a lil squirrelly with any trim.

[H20WKD]

;)....I appreciate quick just as much as fast....http://i58.tinypic.com/2dt97vo.jpg

[Tom D.]

86 with known sloppy upper mounts. Those mounts are going to look like tic-tacs next to your balls. You got life insurance right.

[200valeroyt]

I don't plan on keeping them

[onemortime]

Sean, on my 200 mid, i went through the samething you are facing. I went to soild mounts and also changed the bolts too. The bolts were worn from the bad mounts.you could lift the motor about a inch or so. Thats scarey as hell. I got the shadow running 107 now and its very stable. Good luck with new toy.Buddy

[200valeroyt]

Nice... I had the same issue with my Viper mid, which is also a promax mid. They are solid mounts, which come on promax's. The problem is from wear and the actual size of the mounts. The solid mounts that Bruster sells have a smaller through hole, slightly larger OD and longer length. Once they start moving, wear in the exhaust adapers happens. I shimmed the ones on the Viper, these will probably need replacing.

[syclone01]

Its just a matter of time before u have it running high 90s. Wonder what it would run with a 250xb?

[200valeroyt]

I loved the XB on my Cmate, i'd think one could push a GS 105+. The Allison guys say the non-ratchet gcase can be a problem though. I think 1 or 2 guys put 2.5 gcases on them with the 3.0's?

[Ziemer]

Thanks! It has standard seastar pro. I had it up to 1/2" over tonight, but gets a lil squirrelly with any trim.

Yep... Gets worse when ya put people in it too.

Keep it at a 1/4" until you get used to it, and go up 1/8" at a time from there.

[200valeroyt]

1/4" above right? Even with the loose mounts it drove much better than below the pad. I realize Allison's are different with having the lip on the pad, just seems low to me? I'm use to running way above the pads on all my previous boats.

[Ziemer]

1/4" above right? Even with the loose mounts it drove much better than below the pad. I realize Allison's are different with having the lip on the pad, just seems low to me? I'm use to running way above the pads on all my previous boats.

Start 1/4" below and go up from there. Until you swap out to 12" or so, you probably won't go above. (at least not very far)

I'm somewhere around the even mark at 8 1/2" setback, but with a 15" mid and a modded sportmaster.

And measure from the flat of the pad, not the lip. ;)

[200valeroyt]

Yes, its only 9.5 setback now. Maybe I wasn't clear, its 1/2" above now, felt much better than below the pad to me. Running a Performance propeller Drag 30.

[Ziemer]

I had it up to 1/2" over tonight, but gets a lil squirrelly with any trim.

Was going off this... :p

Squirrelly chine walk or a$$ gets squirrelly?

If you still have a good amount of play, it's really hard to dial it in until you get that fixed. They all run a little different so 1/2" above may work, especially with a sportmaster. That's close to where I was when I raced mine, but once it had weight in it, I hated it. It's probably been 2-3 years since I last checked mine too... Lol.

[200valeroyt]

Yes, I believe 90% of the non-planted feel is from the mounts. I think it'll be a good handling boat shortly. Thanks for the info:thumbsup:

[200valeroyt]

Start 1/4" below and go up from there. Until you swap out to 12" or so, you probably won't go above. (at least not very far)

I'm somewhere around the even mark at 8 1/2" setback, but with a 15" mid and a modded sportmaster.

And measure from the flat of the pad, not the lip. ;)Does the additional 2" of your mid put you at 10-1/2"? Or 8-1/2" total? I assume you're running less than some because you have more power? I'm sure you've had more on it before?