Fun to drive? Allison Grand Sport vs V-King V bottom.

[Captaincj]

Anyone driven both with similar power? Yes, I am fully aware of the build quality differences! And I would only consider a V-King that had its core and transom rebuilt with modern materials. My question is the fun to drive factor.

When I watch videos of the two different hills, the Grand Sport doesn't look nearly as fun and doesn't look like it accelerates nearly as fast. I know the GS is about 50% heavier.

Any insight beyond build quality on driving characteristics and fun factor between the two?

[Da Bull]

Both boats have their pros and cons. The SS rides better in rough water but if it`s hot outside your not gonna get much fresh air dew to being tucked down in the boat. The Viking is by far more fun to drive but has that annoying hop in mid range cruising speed. Top speed is a toss up depending on rigging, driver experience and many other things.
In the end I suppose it all come down to personal preference.

DB

[XstreamVking]

Not all of the V-Kings hop. Mine has no hop anywhere. When tuned and rigged properly they are smooth runners all the way to wot.

[mikesufka]

Interesting question .............

The V-King (Viking) was my first favorite boat. I never owned one, but my dad had a Vasseret V-bottom which is similar, except for the open bow. I've also owned two Allison Grandsports and one SS.

Nothing against the Hydrostreams, but there is something about putting an Allison up on that pad that can't be beat. I'd vote Allison.

MDS

[Captaincj]

Interesting, keep them coming guys if you can.

Why would it be more fun to put an Allison up on its pad vs putting a V-King up on its pad?

I haven't driven either. I've only ever owned an HST and a 21 Skater with twin 200 mercs.

[Ziemer]

The Viking is by far more fun to drive...

Not sure I'd agree with that... Haha...

I never had a V-king, but I did have a Vector. I know the V-king is a much better riding boat than the Vector, but I hated the ride in the Vector.

The GS is a much bigger boat, and setup with equal power, you'd be real hard pressed to get by the Allison. The Allison accelerates extremely well, has a lot more storage room, and will ride much better. Not to mention, the Allison holds it value far better than the HS. Bought mine in '01, and could get the same or more than what I paid 16 years ago.

I'm a little biased, but it would be a no brainer for me, especially if you ever have more than 2 people in the boat.

[Captaincj]

I know top end is awesome in the GS, but being 50% heavier do you really think it accelerates as well?

[Mr. Demeanor]

I know top end is awesome in the GS, but being 50% heavier do you really think it accelerates as well?


The laws of physics do not apply to Allisons. Ask any owner :D

[XstreamVking]

This question is kind of like asking if a new corvette is more fun than a older classic vette. Both are great fun, just the new one cost a crap load and can be gotten turn key from the factory. The older classic vette has to be lovingly returned to it's like new state since it is maybe 30 years old. You can't go wrong with either one.

[Captaincj]

Yes and no. You can't make an old Vette anything like a new one performance wise unless you literally replace and upgrade the ENTIRE drivetrain, suspension, brakes etc... And even then, you probably won't touch the overall performance and handling of a new one.

With boats you can rig them equally and the only remaining variables seem to be hull design and weight (after you rebuild a V-King properly...), speaking ONLY from a fun to drive standpoint.

Obviously the GS will always be the better made and more comfortable boat.

Just my opinion of course.

[Captaincj]

Duplicate post...

[Capt.Insane-o]

Just a one person zoomer? V king hands down.

[pkstv]

Loved the streams in the 80's , fun to drive but the grandsport proved to be a better built boat and at 900lbs it's hard to out excellerate one with the right set up ! All composite it'll last forever !

[Streamin101]

I haven't had more fun in any other boat, and am very comfortable in mine at just under 100 mph.

[Captaincj]

I haven't had more fun in any other boat, and am very comfortable in mine at just under 100 mph.

Vector?

[Captaincj]

Loved the streams in the 80's , fun to drive but the grandsport proved to be a better built boat and at 900lbs it's hard to out excellerate one with the right set up ! All composite it'll last forever !

Everything you say I know to be true! But lots of fun to drive?

[pkstv]

Mine is a blast to drive ! It runs 96 7200 rpm ! I've had this boat since 2009 . Why would you think it wouldn't be fun to run ? Runs like it's on a rail !

[THP]

Middle age, bald guy, beer gut, with a GS here. Driving the Allison makes me feel like a kid again, so yes the gs is fun every time you take it out
Troy

[Captaincj]

What HP are you two guys running?

[outasite]

After owning,and driving the same Viking for 35 years I can tell you this.If you power your king with 280/300 hp to top out at 100 mph with a 26" wheel you will seldom if EVER get out excellerated,and you will never feel that you are just driving the boat.It becomes more of a truce,some days she will let ya have it all,others she will make ya piss your pants in fright.You will never be bored:D

[XstreamVking]

Yep, for some reason I have had mine for 34 years. Might be because it's a fun boat......

[pkstv]

I run a 1991 2.5 245 carb motor with a sporty 1.87 gear and a 14.5 28 drag 3 prop . 3/4 " under the pad . That's as fast as this boat will run with this motor and set up ! I've had several STV's that were faster but none as fun to drive as this one ! Maybe a 280 down the road but I'll set it up to be quick , not for top end !

[Streamin101]

Viking

[David]

My Lake has a lot of wind chop and boat wakes. That makes the Ally more fun, ie it is a better rough water boat.

[Streamin101]

https://www.facebook.com/daniel.john.001/videos/10211988203318517/

[Mr. Demeanor]

I haven't had more fun in any other boat, and am very comfortable in mine at just under 100 mph.


BTW you have the best sig pic ever. Would love a high res copy.

[CUDA]

A 20 foot Hydrostream will hang with a 20 foot Allison all day long with the right set up.

I bought a new Viking in 1978 and I hated it in a week ...

I boated on lake Erie, Niagara river, way to rough for a 18 foot boat

The water I like to drive in a 20 ft. is a must

The 20 foot v bottom Venus was my Favorite had two

Ron Baker who worked for Hydrostream raced at Havasu 1981, they made a Venus out of Coremat from West Point Pepperell


I bought it after the race to use in MVP , I converted the pad to 12 inches , I was fast but spun like a top under MVP race turns , mistake:mad:

[Streamin101]

BTW you have the best sig pic ever. Would love a high res copy.
Thanks! actually I just ran across it the other day. I just have to figure out how to post it.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Thanks! actually I just ran across it the other day. I just have to figure out how to post it.

Shoot me copy if you dont mind.
[email protected]

[pkstv]

Say whatever but in ten years my Allison will still be running and looking great while the hydro streams will be either rebuilt for the 3rd or fourth time or nothing but rotten FIRE WOOD ! Some with an added pad I guess !!

[XstreamVking]

Haters gonna hate....^^^^^^^ And this last post is total BS and laughable. BTW I owned a 15' Allison for years before my V-King. It started getting out run by HydroStreams so I sold it.....And got My V-King....And I will go on to say that a GS Allison is one fine boat, just not the boat I want...

[Captaincj]

All you girls are pretty!

[Ziemer]

I run a 260 on mine, and it's a blast to drive. As for acceleration, if you're comparing a GS to a light weight single seat, stringer boat V-king, then no, the V-king will probably be quicker, solely because of weight. However, you take a normal 4-seat V-king alongside a GS with equal power, different story. Raced mine a few years, and with a stock 260 and a 22" Yamaha, it was surprisingly quick. Of course we were evenly weighted at 1650, but I beat several STV's, Hydrostreams, Allisons and Quartershots.

It's really all in what you want to do. If you want a 1 or 2 person boat, there's better options than a GS for sure, but if you have more than 2 regularly, there's no question.

One of the most fun I've ever had was on the north end of the St Johns, running beside a V-king with a 260 also. He was only alongside for a short period, after a few turns I only saw him when I turned around to look. Lol...

[pkstv]

No I don't hate your boat . Or you , don't know you . But you need to look at Your post and your apple to my apple . What Zimmer said is true about being a 4 seater vs a lite single steer stream . I'm glad you owned an Allison . I'm glad I own an Allison . It's a ball to drive and I'm sure with a 280 it would go over a hundred ! Coodos to you that you run that fast ! It should being that lite . I'm 60 yrs old and really don't care about being the top lead dog out there . All I wanted to do was answer this post about being fun to drive ! And it is ! I raced a mod v p SUV in 1984 and wasn't this much fun . You sir need to chill out some and have fun not brag and blast without having a true comparison !

[XstreamVking]

1 I'm also 60. No time for hate left at this point in life.
2 I have slowed down to the point of don't care also.
3 Check your own post. RE Sawdust? really? Re-built 3 times? Naw....
4 I don't brag. Never said how fast my boat is in the many years of posting here.
5 I am as chill as they come, never bad mouthed the GS. On the contrary, I complimented it.

[pkstv]

Saw dust ? No it was rotten fire wood !

[JCSmile]

A 20 foot Hydrostream will hang with a 20 foot Allison all day long with the right set up.

I bought a new Viking in 1978 and I hated it in a week ...

I boated on lake Erie, Niagara river, way to rough for a 18 foot boat

The water I like to drive in a 20 ft. is a must

The 20 foot v bottom Venus was my Favorite had two

Ron Baker who worked for Hydrostream raced at Havasu 1981, they made a Venus out of Coremat from West Point Pepperell


I bought it after the race to use in MVP , I converted the pad to 12 inches , I was fast but spun like a top under MVP race turns , mistake:mad:
I personally don't think there is a 20ft hydrostream (or a v-king) that will hang with an SS (not counting the venom because it's not an "actual" hydrostream). I haven't heard of any running 100 with a 200 or 115+ with a 280.

[Streamin101]

https://www.facebook.com/daniel.john.001/videos/10211988203318517/
once again a 4 seat Viking will hang with a 4 seat ally and is going to be a lot more forgiving at speed. And they look better.

[XstreamVking]

You are correct it was rotten fire wood. And as a general rule any speed claims need an in boat gps vid. That takes the bragging factor out of it. I know my boat is not faster than a GS Allison.

[xb03fs]

I enjoy my allison quite a bit. Even though I have the slowest heaviest. 1450 lb 2+2 hull,it runs very well for its weight.