Allison Boats

[David]

I really like the looks of the SS2000, and it has enough passenger space for my needs - barely. With a 200XS ROS it is fast and fuel efficient. Great fun.

For a while though I have joked about switching to an XB 2002 or XB2003 bass boat when I am 80 and it starts getting hard to get in and out. Those are very practical family boats that you can walk onto off your dock.

[wcarlyle]

I remember these boats, I tried to find one when I first saw them, but just a few made so no such luck. Nice boats though.

[John S]

I really like the looks of the SS2000, and it has enough passenger space for my needs - barely. With a 200XS ROS it is fast and fuel efficient. Great fun.

For a while though I have joked about switching to an XB 2002 or XB2003 bass boat when I am 80 and it starts getting hard to get in and out. Those are very practical family boats that you can walk onto off your dock.

It would be a hard transition from an SS to a xb2003 performance wise. I knew I made a mistake the first time I planned off. They're well made, and have great performance, but it isn't SS/ XB2002 level performance. Nothing against it, they're great cruisers/ fishing boats. But I missed the punch of my 02. If the SS had any level of rear sunpad, I would've bought one. But momma liked the front and rear decks for laying out. And I enjoyed the view The 02 is actually a bit roomier than the 03 if you can believe it. I rarely if ever had the rear seat in. The XB2002 IMO is the best all around 20' boat there is.

Whatever you do, don't ride in an SS with 260/280 power. If I never had, I would've been happy with my 200XS. Granted, it was a gen 1.

[JBS]

Allison built four 2016 XR02s, I owned the blue and red one.

People say they want the new Allison race boats until they hear the price haha. 50k with trailer and some options. Rigging, motor, can add up to $80,000 real quick.

That's the ones I was referring to.Almost bought the blue boat from Hoxie.

[David]

I originally had a lightly modified 150XR4 on my SS2000 and it was fast, as long as I stayed out of small boats with 280’s. Then the XR4 would feel slow for a day or two. I replaced the XR4 with a 225 Promax and it was the acceleration that made it worthwhile. The Gen 2 200 XS is the best.

[AlliStan]

I'm running my "repurposed" XTB with a 240, right now. It turns a 28 chopper, Lightning ET, or the 5 blade that's on it right now, really good and is basically a 87-90 mph boat with either of the three. However, the 5 blade drives like a dream. It makes that Allie so stable she just sits there like a STV. I'm loving it. But, I'm on the hunt for a nice XR02. Got a 300 Drag, with 2 hrs., built by Mike Clemens, that I want to put on it when I find one.

[pappa pete]

I went from a SS with promax to xb2003 with same promax. Cussed it but loved walking of the deck to the bank or dock. Put a 300xs on it with 1.62 sporty now it runs and accelerates like the SS 100mph loaded all day. No regrets and handles great

[John S]

@AlliStan What do you mean by "repurposed"? I loved my XTB. Would've loved it more with dual consoles. Or I should say,y wife would've liked it better with dual consoles.. It was my first Ally, quite a learning curve to drive. People wouldn't even get in with me at first.

[mikesufka]

<!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: dbtech_usertag_mention -->@AlliStan<!-- END TEMPLATE: dbtech_usertag_mention --> What do you mean by "repurposed"? I loved my XTB. Would've loved it more with dual consoles. Or I should say,y wife would've liked it better with dual consoles.. It was my first Ally, quite a learning curve to drive. People wouldn't even get in with me at first.

I don't think I'd get in a boat with you now ... LOL

MDS

[JPEROG]

An XB2003 with a 15" X or XS is a great boat and will accelerate with just about any 20' boat out there. They have great wind protection for the driver and passenger with room for 5, lots of deck space and storage. Allisons are a well built boat for sure. I put ours together for a "family river boat" to cruise at 80 mph for a typical 60 mile dinner runner. It was great until my son started running it at 105 and I was afraid of having a bad outcome at some point. The boat with a stong XS ran 110 at will. Most owners become good swimmers at some point as they push the boundaries of design. I sold mine before we ever dealt with that experience.

Joe

[mikesufka]

^^^

An Allison at 105 MPH is starting to "tug at the tiger's tail" - good on your son for taming that beast

MDS

[AlliStan]

<!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: dbtech_usertag_mention -->@AlliStan<!-- END TEMPLATE: dbtech_usertag_mention --> What do you mean by "repurposed"? I loved my XTB. Would've loved it more with dual consoles. Or I should say,y wife would've liked it better with dual consoles.. It was my first Ally, quite a learning curve to drive. People wouldn't even get in with me at first.

John, It is my first Allie, and I bought it to be a river runner and sandbar boat. It needed a redo of the interior and the original gelcoat. Had the gelcoat professionally wet sanded, buffed and polished, then ceramic-coated. But, in the interior, I recarpeted it with original carpet from Allison. I didn't like the long, narrow locker in the floor. When I stepped on it I could feel it "give", and it was going to make the recarpeting much more work. So, I built a filler board out of three layers of Plastic-kor, laminated with glass mat. I removed the lid and filled in the hole, then glassed the perimeter. Did it all with care so that it would be seamless and smooth beneath the new carpet.

The XTB bass boat is now an XTB river runner, sandbar boat. Lots of fun. It could still be a bass boat for a new owner, however.

Before .......



After ........

[John S]

@AlliStan That is a fantastic job. Agreed, I hated that ski locker. Would've done the same exact thing you did on your rig. Same color combo as my last XB2002. The XTB is a very unique boat to drive, much like a GS. It would've been cool to see the factory do a center steer like the Bullets cc"s. Nonetheless, your rig is an awesome river ripper. Thanks for the share.
@mikesufka Your grandspirt wasn't called the china wok because of your love for chowmein noodles.

[AlliStan]

Thanks, John. It was a lot of work, but fun at the same time. You ain't kidding about the XTBs being a handful to learn to drive. I have several buddies that have a lifetime of experience in Allies and they all told me the XTB is one of the two hardest models to learn to drive that Allison ever made. It took me a couple years of seat time, moving weight around to the left side (I usually ride alone) to get it balanced on the pad. It's so much easier to drive now, with that 5 blade on it, that I joked to my buddies that my 4 year old granddaughter could drive it. It may give up a mile an hour, or two, on the top but it comes out of the hole like a demon. My son had an XR Drag with a 260 on it and I drove it some. Fastest accelerating thing I ever sat in. But, he swapped it off for a beautiful "Wally built" yellow/purple River Rocket. The XR was so hot, sitting down in that little hole, when sitting still or drifting down the river. He likes the STV much better. Pardon me ahead of time for "soiling" this Allie thread with a pic of a tunnel vee.

[TraceF3]

I'm running my "repurposed" XTB with a 240, right now. It turns a 28 chopper, Lightning ET, or the 5 blade that's on it right now, really good and is basically a 87-90 mph boat with either of the three. However, the 5 blade drives like a dream. It makes that Allie so stable she just sits there like a STV. I'm loving it. But, I'm on the hunt for a nice XR02. Got a 300 Drag, with 2 hrs., built by Mike Clemens, that I want to put on it when I find one.

Which 5-blade specifically?