Looking at Allison...

[scotsweet]

Hi all,

I am in Socal, an avid bass fisherman and considering an Allison. There are very very few Allison's in Socal...so its hard to try to ride in them..in fact I know nobody. I have been a Ranger Z21 owner and was wondering how to compare....

1. Fishing platform. I have fished out of nearly every boat that is out there now...Triton, Ranger 5 series, Z series, Nitro, Champion. How will this compare to my Ranger?

2. This is suppose to be one of best rough water boats, but a guy who is used to a Triton TR series says it rode rougher than his Triton...how could that be? Don't know how old or what model Allison it was.

3. There seems to be lots of storage but in only a few compartments. How do you deal with that?

Thanks for everyone's input.

Scott

[Props4u2]

Welcome to the Allison board Scott.
I can't answer your first question very well as I'm not a fisherman but I know others will jump right in. The only reply I have on the second one is the guy that told you his triton rides better has never been in an Allison or it was a 70's model Allison that rode pretty much like every other bass boat in that time frame. As far as storage, the 21's blow everone else away, the 20 footers have very large compartments as you stated, but not as many. Again, I'm sure others will give their opinions.

Look down the board a few threads to the one that say's I Love, scroll down to the 24th post, read what git-r-done 250xs say's about the ride.

[cjc191]

Scott-

I live in the Santa Clarita area and own an XB21 ProSport / 250xs. Shoot me an email if you want to take a ride one day. allyxb21@att.net

Craig

[mrbassfla]

i have had alot of boats stratos being the last one ..now i have a 21xb prosport with a merc sport225 .... i like how it drives and like how it fishes, handles rough water great, i fish alot of touraments and i have no issues with space for tackle or rods,big livewell.. i did buy so extra trays for the tackle and made a custom rod rack for the port side it holds ten rods[looks like it came with the boat] one of the best things you can run 85 plus with your hat on and can talk to your partner without yelling,also you would not belive how little of the gas you use with this boat this boat can haul a@# or haul bass

[froggy]

Scott,

The Western Alllison Rally was last week at Shasta Lake, too bad you didn't know. There are a clump of ABote guys up in central and Northern California who'd be happy to take you to the Delta or something similar. Go over to Allison Owners.com and ask around, you'll find someone close by.

That Triton guy you mentioned has likely never set foot in a newer ABote.

froggy

[scotsweet]

Thanks all.

I checked out a 2007 XB21 BasSport Pro this past week at Performance Marine Specialties. It looks very nice. The finish is exceptional. The front deck space is huge. The storage is also a lot! I guess I don't understand the value of the bow lights, but it looks cool.

There were some concerns:

1. The non-boater has no place to put more than 2 rods. In most bass boats, there is space to the left of the non-boater where you lay your rods down with the reels down at your feet. The Allison has this area covered and you lay the rods on the top. It can really only hold 2 maybe 3 rods. To me...this is real bad and a show stopper. I really think this should be redesigned.

2. The compartments are huge, but not set up for organization. For a $60K+ boat, you shouldn't have to spend any extra money or time to create some decent organization. The trays are nice, but don't even work in the center section. The entire front bow area is nearly useless....unless you want to sleep or have some kinky fun :).

3. The seats are very cool, but, if you have a big guy fishing, it might be uncomfortable or even difficult for that person to sit and ride?

4. The way the trolling motor was installed, parallel to the length of the boat, it would make it difficult to lay rods down on the left side of the boat. In fact, you could smash a rod or reel when you lay down the trolling motor. What isn't clear is if you could install the trolling motor at an angle and keep the deck clear for the rods. The recess of the nose (bow) is lower than the gunnels and you could put it at a slight angle, but not sure it if would be enough.

5. On a minor point, there aren't any rod securing mechanisms at the bow for rods on the deck. There are a couple near the console area, but they are pretty much of little value for people who have 5 or more rods on the deck.

6. The single lid on the livewell may be a problem with fish jumping over the divider.

7. I wonder if the plastic lid latches will hold up to the constant use that tournament bass fisherman put on a boat. I can see someone grabbing one of them after a couple of years and it breaking off. Sunlight and plastic don't do well together.

8. I was very surprised that there wasn't a remote filling adapter for the oil. Filling the reservior while you are in the boat could be a challenge because of the large rear compartment cover and the fact that it lifts toward the bow rather than the stern allowing for easy access.

As is, I think it needs some work from a tournament bass fisherman's perspective. Certainly if you want a fast boat for fishing, its terrific, but I wouldn't spend that kind of money with these extra things to do. These details are one thing bass boat manufacturers have really paid close attention to over the years and the Allison I think needs another revision or two. My sense is that it probably won't happen as they want a fast boat first, a fishing boat second and finally a tournament bass boat third.

What are your guys thoughts on this info?

Thanks!

Scott

[fishnfireman]

Scott.

Just FYI..I fish about 60-75 days a year. I have fished tournaments for about 20 years now.. I have had the pleasure of owning several different brands of boats over the years and have fished from every major boat makers bass boat.
I am also a director for a 200 member bass association who is in there 23rd season. Enough about me-- I just wanted you to know I have been around the bass boat industry a long time and not just blowing smoke, trying to impress someone. Ranger boats is our main sponsor and it would be to my advantage to fish from a Ranger.. However I have played the sponsor games before and choose to be independent..

You have brought up some very valid points and I will address them from my perspective.

1. I agree with you 100%

2. Again- I agree..my boat is the prosport.. I have done several things to make it more usable--including turning the lids around so I can access them from the deck. The way they came they opened to the outside..Nice when your standing on the ground..but unhandy when your trying to get lures out while fishing. Which is where I spend 95% of my time.

3.The bucket seats are great to ride in..But are hard for some folks to get in and out of.

4. I had to add a piece of 1/2 alum. plate to get the angle right so I could use the off side for rod storage. without it hitting the rods.

5. You can add them where they fit you best.. But like you said, if your going to buy the most expensive boat on the market. You would expect it to be done and done right.

6. I have taken the divider out of both my Allisons. So I can't say if it is a problem or not.

7. I have seen some old Allisons and have never seen a broken latch yet.

8. I agree


The Allison is the only boat I have ever bought more than one of. I choose the prosport. and will never own another boat except another pro sport.

After owning 2 of these with the center console I HATE getting in a boat that does not have this. The ride of the 21 is second to none. The speed is second to none. The fuel consumption both on the water and pulling down the road is also second to none.

It is my opinion, that you are spot on for the main stream tournament fisherman.
And if Allison wants to sell these boats to that market, he will indeed have to get some input from those whom he desires to sell to.
Right now the 3 major boat builders have there own tournament trails. They pay extra money to those who fish from there boats and could care less if you fish there tournaments from a brand X boat. As a mater of fact it gets tougher every year to fish from brand X.
I hate to admit it ..but guys like me are a dying breed. So there are getting to be less of us who are willing to overlook things that should be stock and not an add on. Or horsepower limits that would cause you to limit whose tournaments you can fish. From the fastest,best riding, most expensive bass boat on the market

[bassnva123]

Scott,

I can tell you from riding in an Allison they ride nothing like a Triton and I own a Triton. Allison is way better ride hands down !!

[getsometex]

An Ally is a different kind of boat Scott. I have a 2003 xb2002 with a pro mod merc. It will run as fast as you WANT to go. You will lose a little storage on this model but the ride and performance will BLOW YOU AWAY. Good luck and good fishing!