Question on “the little boats” …

**mikesufka** · 02-04-2024, 12:49 PM

Hey -

Quick question and the other thread on motors got me curious …. Can you even buy a new Allison Grandsport, STV, Hydrostream Venom, or Triad anymore ? What’s out there for new “go fasts” in the 20 foot category besides bass boats ?

It’s crazy they literally seem to have gone away.

MDS

**StubbyCheck** · 02-04-2024, 01:39 PM

You can purchase a new Tuff 20 but you’ll be waiting a while. Not sure about any others, although Spaeth has some molds and I think he’ll still build a new rig from what I’ve heard.
isn’t someone building the Venom again as well?

**Chaz** · 02-04-2024, 01:58 PM

There might not be a bunch of new builders out there .. but there are a bazillion used boats out there in all conditions from better than new to ready for the chainsaw. The Achillies heel is that the only engine mfg. that provided power for those boats has turned their back on that class of boats.
Everyone know my stance on this so no need in me reputing my sentiments

**David** · 02-04-2024, 02:35 PM

Allison is out of the 20’ boat business.
Full Throttle is making STVs and Quarter Shots, probably shorter lead then a Tuff, but perhaps not fast delivery
My understanding is that the Venom is being made.
The Spaeth’s are making a few boats. They can make VooDoos, Vikings, Vegas, and SRV.

Enough volume for Mercury to have a business case would have to come from repower. Or maybe bass boats, but most of those have big motors now.

**SlingShot** · 02-04-2024, 06:01 PM

Richie Sutphen Jr. would probably build a new 21, we chose just to do a "little" work to an old 20 that was in exceptional condition, and didn't want a 4-stroke1

**mikesufka** · 02-04-2024, 06:20 PM

Looks like Tuff is the top dog for the new V-bottoms - I’d love to see one in the 20-26 ft. range …

MDS

**hydra-sports** · 02-04-2024, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by SlingShot

Richie Sutphen Jr. would probably build a new 21, we chose just to do a "little" work to an old 20 that was in exceptional condition, and didn't want a 4-stroke1

Sling shot, that thing is SWEET!

**AlliStan** · 02-05-2024, 07:48 AM

Wally is not building any boats at all now. This is the next to the last V21 he built, about 4 yrs. ago, more or less. I photographed it at his shop last September. It lives at Beaufort, SC. The last one he built is teal in color, and belongs to a friend.

**Brad Zastrow** · 02-05-2024, 02:05 PM

Don't blame Mercury for abandoning engines for small performance boats. The handful of new boats sold does not warrant a company to build a handful of engines. Mercury cannot build O/B's fast enough to keep up with the demand for almost all the other boats sold. Like Chaz said there are plenty of used boats for sale and will be for many years to satisfy anyone in all kinds of condition.

**Sutphil** · 02-05-2024, 03:25 PM

Battle Wagon Boats is building their 21.

**JPEROG** · 02-05-2024, 06:06 PM

There is no market demand for small boats. If there was, you would have guys building them (this is how the free enterprise system works). Market demand creates product. Where are you going to safely run a small boat today with all of the wakeboard boats and increased boat traffic in general? A 20' LCB is as small as l care to play with (even on the river as cruisers, big tri toons, and multi engine center consoles are now considered common).

People who blame Mercury are lost. There are other power options for any boat out there. The fact that Mercury racing built the best option is undisputed by most.

Joe

**LakeFever** · 02-05-2024, 06:57 PM

Small hotrod boats have definitely entered the classic car type territory. Everyone loves seeing them, but very few will buy them because they are mostly useless now. Wakeboard hulls are the worst to encounter. Outright dangerous if your clipping along

**Muskoka2** · 02-05-2024, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by mikesufka

Looks like Tuff is the top dog for the new V-bottoms - I’d love to see one in the 20-26 ft. range …

MDS

The new 25' is on their FB page with a 300XS!

**4Speed** · 02-06-2024, 07:07 AM

If you really want to see the diminishing of the 15' - 20' "muscle boat" take a look at a 20-25 year old Hot Boat magazine and see how many dealers/ manufacturers there were across the US back then. There were even 3-4 monthly fast boat magazine publications back then and I don't believe there are any now. I purchased a new 20 HP Mercury with a tank in 1979 for $600, with that in mind, if you have the $$$ for a new "race boat", delivery is a year or two out from the date of order not to mention the cost of insurance you can kind of see a few reasons for the industry down turn. The only upside I can think of is the new boat designs are more family oriented than a Hydrostream or STV. My wife hates my STV Euro and loves the pontoon; happy wife - happy life

**Stoker boy** · 02-06-2024, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by JPEROG

People who blame Mercury are lost.

Joe

That’s a bold statement. I wonder what would happen if Mercury stayed with the smaller high-performance engines kinda like cars, more power, but about the same size. Big giant tuna boats have their place in big giant waters, not small little lakes and rivers like people are doing. Back in the 50s and 60s small was just fine. The little wave runners are definitely pesky little critters, but they do not compare to the big, giant tuna boats, tearing up the water on small lakes and rivers. More people with money creates more problems with regards to boats anyway. I blame Mercury, boat manufactures, and too many people. Where does it end. Maybe one day Mercury will power 90 foot boats that do 175MPH.