Allison's in rough water? How do they handle?

[mxz]

How do the Allison XR2002 and SS2000 handle rough water? Do they handle the chop better than say a Vector or Vking???

Thanks.

[JR IN JAX]

The A boats handle rough water much better that the 'streams. I traded my Vector for my xs2003 and it was "love at first drive".
I let 'stream owners drive it all the time and they can't believe how smooth it rides [and some went out and bought one].
The biggest change for me was that the A boat runs "nose down" and the 'stream runs "nose up". It was "spooky" having the nose that low at high speeds, but now it's normal.
The ss rides smoother than mine, I would guess the xr is about the same.
JR

[joed]

I OWN A VIKING AND AN SS2000 AND I AGREE WITH WHAT HE SAID ABOUT THE NOSE LOW ATTITUDE OF THE ALLISONS AFTER FLYING THE STREAM SO HIGH FOR SO MANY YEARS. THE ALLY WILL
TAKE ROUGHT WATER GREAT IF YOU GO AHEAD AN GET IT UP ON TOP OF THE CHOP. THEN JUST DON`T GET THE NOSE QUITE AS HIGH AS YOU WOULD ON CALM WATER THIS LETS THE V OF THE NOSE SOLFEN THE RIDE INSTEAD OF THE WAVES HITTING HARD MID SHIP WHICH IS BASICALLY RIGHT UNDER YOUR BUTT. ONCE ON TOP IN THIS NOSE LOW ATTITUDE YOU CAN OPERATE AT VERY
IMPRESSIVE SPEEDS IN CHOP WITH VERY LITTLE PUNISHMENT TO YOU OR THE BOAT. THE ALLISON WILL COME UP ON THE PAD AND STAY THERE AT MUCH LOWER SPEEDS THAN MY STREAM ESPECIALLY IN TIGHT LOW SPEED TURNS. BUT I`M STILL NOT SELLING MY STREAM

[Ted Biglow]

Brent,

I would have to give Allisons a high grade for rough water handling. If we're both at Sean's Season Opener in May, you are more than welcome to have a ride in my SS.

My old XR2002 was a lesson in good design. With most of my previous v-bottom experience in Checkmates and Chargers (MCPs), I was stunned at what a 400 pound Allison was like in rough water (Crystal Lake or Lake Simcoe). And the SS2000 is even better. I've driven a 2003 bass boat and it was simply awesome at leveling chop.

Neither is going to be happy when there are 3 footers barreling down Rice Lake, but I had one passenger with me during the Rice Lake Poker Run this past September when the SS was flying like a mini-offshore, holding a perfect set and keeping right up with a 38' Fountain with twin 900s in the rough (2 footers) for 10 miles at 80-85 mph.

Certainly, rough water handling is somewhat commensurate with driver competence. I am sure Mark Weigl with a little practice could outdrive me in my own boat!

Cheers,

Ted

[mxz]

Thanks for the info guys,

Ted, when you took me for a ride in your yellow rocket 2 years ago at the season opener we were going too fast(101mph I believe!!!) and I was enjoying the ride too much to notice how it was handling the chop! Definately would love to go for another one.

I have been thinking of getting a boat that handles the chop better than my Vector and either a used Allison or STV would fit the bill. Will have to see how the $$$ are in the spring though.

Brent

[David]

the driver is a factor

If I'm driving, my Virage is smoother in rough water than my brother's Charger V bottom. When he's driving, the Charger is the better rough water boat.

getting wet is another consideration

At the last boat hop I had a ride in an STV. Much smoother than my Virage in stupid rough water, but also a lot wetter. This day was stupid windy on Lake Couchiching. Brent, you won't see waves that big on your home lake.

When is the next season opener. I had a dream about it this week.

David

[Ted Biglow]

Brent, as the saying goes, "If the boat fits..." I have my brother's red SS2000 hull for sale sans engine. It's pretty much identical to mine, save for a few details. If you would like some more info on it, let me know.

Dave, the tentative date for Season Opener is the last weekend in May. That date should stick. After missing the last one, I think I should be dreaming about it, as well! Hope to see you there (and at the boat show)!

Tb

[Scott Gilmore]

I agree with the other Allison owners. I have an SS2000 just like Ted's, Ive owned since 98. I've had it out on Lake Michigan a bunch & some other inland lakes on days it was NASTY ! The boat handles rough water extremely well. I've beat the crap out of mine for 100's of hours, most boats would have broken in half by now, but the SS2000 doesn't even have a hairline crack anywhere !! Scott :D

[mxz]

Ted, I saw the add for your brother's SS2000 in the PBCC Rooster tales and I think I saw it at the boat show a couple years ago too? Awsome looking!, especially in red.
I am just thinking about a new boat at the moment, and seeing what other people's opinion of the different boats are. If I get serious about a new hull in the Spring I will let you know.

Thanks

Brent