STV vs Quarter Shot vs Mirage which one is best and why?

[LakeFever]

Curious which one is the best boat to run and why?

[RiverRat71]

Curious which one is the best boat to run and why?

Allison. They look better & faster at 80mph on the pad than any of the other 3 at 100. I am not biased, lol. RR

[LakeFever]

lol well my partiality towards v hulls is clear too. I have a couple streams. I was out the other day running 85 and got passed by an STV like I was parked. We met up a bit later talking boats. He had a 15” 225x on there and said he’s had it high teens. Then the next time out I ran with a quarter shot and he had a 200 on his and wasn’t passing me anywhere maybe he could but he didn’t. Anyways got me to thinking about tunnels and I wonder which one is the best? I see stvs the most so maybe that’s the reason why but I know people here have driven all of them so I’m curious to hear thoughts on these hulls. Which is the hairiest and which is the safest would be good to know as well

[RiverRat71]

Lake, I've got friends that have some of all the best tunnels. They all are amazing when set up right & no V is gonna hang. If you want a tunnel with room that runs with the best I personally think the Euro is it. To me not the best looking of the tunnels but def best performance that seats more than 2 "comfortably". As far as top end goes best I have personally seen are the rockets. RR

[scott reierson]

Tuff to beat an STV. I've owned a few. Fast, easy to drive and resell. MODVP for dominance and turning. River Rocket for all around Hot rod. Euro is a more practicle and user friendly. Early Pro comps are not for timid. Needle nose is a riot. All will go faster than you will need. Potato chip layups are race boats and durability can be an issue. For personal use, a center steer River Rocket with a 15" 2.5 and a sporty rigged correctly is a bench mark. Get a lifeline jacket and a good solid hull. Get experinced help and rig it correctly.

i have owned and drove the other tunnels and V bottoms you mentioned. If you have never owned A STV, and truly want a hi performance boat. You owe it to yourself to get a true legend. You will not regret it.

[LakeFever]

Thanks Scott that’s exactly the kind of review I was looking for. Anyone have thoughts on Mirage’s?

[4Speed]

I have a STV Euro and its hard to beat. Its easy to drive when set up properly and in my opinion is the best looking of the group. Jack has a lot of new finishing touch options that he didn't have back in 2010 when he built mine that i have seen on some of his newer builds so the sky (or finances) is the limit on what you can have. The only downside (and its being picky) which you will eventually get use to is the 25 mph light spray in the face, the 75-85 MPH bounce and everyone that wants a ride will want to go hammer down. Perhaps the biggest downside is getting the mail and finding the insurance bill.

[JBS]

Bunch of good info also far.Always wanted a STV but the ICW and big water around here limits where they can run. The tunnels are ok if you stay in the Creeks.

[mikesufka]

Allison. They look better & faster at 80mph on the pad than any of the other 3 at 100. I am not biased, lol. RR

The first boat I ever bought was a STV Euro - coming out of my Dad's Hydrostream, I thought it was boring ( meaning very easy to drive fast ). Sold it a year or two later and bought an Allison XS03 and never looked back. The Allison ( have owned three ) is still my favorite 20 footer - just too small for my boating needs.

MDS

[aj06bolt12r]

Cant beat a tunnel for all out speed and how easy they are to learn to drive... But I just love balancing on the pad, that's the fun part for me.. Plus I just cant stand that damn tunnel hop. When I get in groups of boats on river runs and we are just cruising 70-80 MPH and I look over and there they are just hopping away.. I just shake my head... But I'm sure they would just shake their head at me when I'm running 100 and thinking I'm doing something and then they come blowing by me like I threw the anchor out... So.. Whatever is important to you I guess.. Plus the wind protection and rough water ride is pretty nice in my XB03 too.

[STV_Keith]

Ran a STV Pro Comp Ski for many years. Easy to drive to 95mph, anyone, literally anyone can get in and do it. Had a roommate that had never been in a boat run it up to 95. Beyond 95, you gotta pay attention, watch the water/wind and know how to trim the boat. I loved the looks of the PCS over the other STV's, but the Euro makes the most sense. For a lake boat, I prefer the extra lift of the ski bottom. The ModVP bottom generates a little less lift, which hurts when carrying people, coolers, etc.

I've never owned a v-bottom or any of the other tunnels, but my pops has had over 100 boats. Used to race v-bottoms back in the day. Actions, Allisons, Power Crafts, etc. When I went to buy a boat, he told me the STV was the safest and easiest boat to go 100. He wasn't wrong. As for the Mirages, I've heard they are very similar, but over 100, are less forgiving. Just look at how many Mirages have been touted to run over 120 vs STV's. The history kinda tells the story.

[scott reierson]

MY driving experiences in The Mirage, Q-shot & Q-Master I drove were Very fast. To me, not as good as the STV in rough mixed up lake water.

My SS 2000 was the best built and fastest small V-bottom I ever owned. Blinding acceleration. (I liked the early XR's better). I agree with Mike that they are wee to small for my lake use. Fastest accelerating V-Bottoms out there. Driving experience required. Mastering the Allison driving experience in the Big numbers range is very exciting experience, Breath taking.

Go to Jasper and watch these center pod Tunnel and V-hulls run, and see firsthand how they are setup. These Women and Men drivers and crews play to win. It will answer a lot of your questions and clear the street BS out of your head. Many there do this full time year round. Lots of smart experienced people there.

A well prepped Allison is a site to behold. It's just Wow! Also, you need to see people Like Busch, Monty and Barsh an others come along in OMC Monster powered spaceships. Just Awesome. A must to see and hear.

[KIRCHNER]

i have 2 restored skaters, 18 & 18s. one i call bronco, the other billy. the hoppin does get old. the spacious cockpits are sweet. myself and friends hang out IN THE BOAT. wide, stable and dry. powered by 2.5s center pod 18 good in a rough chop.s model wants to go fast, no cruise.

[AlliStan]

I run an Allison with a 260. My son runs a Triad River Rocket with a 260. I like the thrill of driving on the pad, but I'm glad my son's in the STV. I think he's safer in it over an Allison. And, he can run circles around me.

Euros are great. My good friend has a Triad Euro that is a 130 mph boat with a strong stock 300 drag on it. Lightest Euro Wally ever built, but still strong. He was running with us in the river a couple weeks ago when a 7 ft. sturgeon jumper dead ahead of him. The pickle fork hit the sturgeon a couple feet behind the head and nearly tore it in two. Guts and eggs splattered all over the boat, and the stench .... did I mention the stench? No damage to the boat whatsoever.

I agree that Euros aren't as good looking as a Rocket, but they're sure nice for passengers, and extra room inside. And a heavier one is a very safe and forgiving ride, too.

[KIRCHNER]

I run an Allison with a 260. My son runs a Triad River Rocket with a 260. I like the thrill of driving on the pad, but I'm glad my son's in the STV. I think he's safer in it over an Allison. And, he can run circles around me.

Euros are great. My good friend has a Triad Euro that is a 130 mph boat with a strong stock 300 drag on it. Lightest Euro Wally ever built, but still strong. He was running with us in the river a couple weeks ago when a 7 ft. sturgeon jumper dead ahead of him. The pickle fork hit the sturgeon a couple feet behind the head and nearly tore it in two. Guts and eggs splattered all over the boat, and the stench .... did I mention the stench? No damage to the boat whatsoever.

I agree that Euros aren't as good looking as a Rocket, but they're sure nice for passengers, and extra room inside. And a heavier one is a very safe and forgiving ride, too.

were you on the swuannee? my skaters are 1200lbs + thats heavy. old boating tests show 80mph. when pigs fly