Stoker Tunnel Boats

[Havasu Secret]

I am about to purchase a Stoker 20.4 tunnel boat with a Merc 300x on it.
Could you please share your experiences with Stoker Boats and how they perform. Alan & John Stoker are really nice people, I was wondering if their boats are equally as nice before I spend $47,000.00 on a new boat.
I have also looked at Eliminator, DCB, Lavey Craft and Carrera. I just have a harder time parting with the $85,000.00+ for purchasing one of these boats.
All opinions welcome.
Thank You!

[cavey lavey]

hey those stoker boys r cool. they have been around a long time and have great boats a 20.4 with a 300x is going to push your eyes into the back of your head. lol. my freind just got a 22mtr 2002 cougar 300x and it does 102mph i went with 20.8 sebring 2.5 merc. just for the extra freeboard, flat floor and room. that boat should fly. check out the 21mtr 300x in hot boat mag. 47000 is a cool deal, good luck.
[This message has been edited by cavey lavey (edited November 24, 2001).]

[WILDMAN]

You can get a 21 Liberator tunnel with a 300x and trailer for $38000, and it will run about 105 mph. Call Dave at Liberator, 817-297-2465

[motion]

Havasu Secret, give me a call before you buy. I have 99 204 that you may have serious interest in, save some money also. Joe abellera5@uneedspeed.net boat is in Havasu 928-505-2020

[HTM Lady]

Originally posted by Havasu Secret:
I am about to purchase a Stoker 20.4 tunnel boat with a Merc 300x on it.
Could you please share your experiences with Stoker Boats and how they perform. Alan & John Stoker are really nice people, I was wondering if their boats are equally as nice before I spend $47,000.00 on a new boat.
I have also looked at Eliminator, DCB, Lavey Craft and Carrera. I just have a harder time parting with the $85,000.00+ for purchasing one of these boats.
All opinions welcome.
Thank You!
Havasu Secret,
I know its hard to spend the cash,But before you do anything check out the HTM's See Steve . He has some awesome winter specials going on. Not to mention there a great boat.

[rivercrazy]

If you want an ultra high end tunnel, go see DCB. Their 22' is incredible

[Skaterfast]

Owned one for 4 years,never touched it(except for wax),97 on the gun,3+ G's in the turns.Best bang for the buck.

[RiverDave2]

Havasu Secret, if your really interested in a Tunnel, drop me an e-mail it just so happens I may have a "hook up" that might interest you.
For less money 100+mph.. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif In a boat that's just as nice.
djohnson@scicontech.com
RD

[BADAXE]

I may be wrong but I believe the Stoker tunnel is a modified V bottom type tunnel, not a cat type tunnel. If a mod-V is the type of boat your looking for, the Schiada 20' river tunnel might be near that price range. The Schiada would last forever and probably hold its resale value much better than the Stoker. Just my 2 cents

[Havasu Secret]

I would like to thank everyone who submitted a reply to my post. Your responses were very helpful.
Since John's Custom Marine aka Stoker Boats is just down the street from me and that Alan Stoker has been so nice (very personalized sales & service) I feel extremely confident in placing my order for a new 20.4 with the 300x. Also, with how long Stoker boats has been in business, the quality of their product and options suggestions and experiences from Alan, I know that they will be there for me for a long time.
What is that saying...
The quality remains long after the price is forgotten!
I have researched this to death, Steve Columbine (HTM), John Pelkey from PFM Perfomance (Super Chiller) are all my neighbors in Havasu and I have talked to many others about their experiences with tunnels and Modified-V tunnels.
With my individual type of usage (Waterski, Wakeboard, Air-Chair and the occasional speed run to the party spot of the world "The Sandbar"), Stoker Boats seems to be the best boat for me and the best bang for the buck that I have found.
Thanks agian for all your responses.
Respectfully,
Havasu Secret

[ski stoker]

Havasu Secret,
I believe you made a good choice. Last year we purchased a new Stoker 20.4 with an Evinrude Ficht 225 and Al and John definitely over delivered in a quality product and service. Before deciding on a Stoker we had taken many test rides in a number of our friend’s boats including: Cole, Commander, Hallet, Schiada, Carrera, Eliminator, and a Liberator all of which are great boats, each with different strengths.
What set the Stoker apart was the encompassing of many attributes. You get incredible hull strength, along with the speed and comfort of a tunnel, and unmatched turning ability, try pulling a U-turn in a cat type tunnel at 70. The ride is extraordinary. The 20.4 is easy to trailer, get around in, and exceptional for skiing, the wake is almost non-existent. On the roughest of days in Havasu there is no problem with the chop, the hull rides at a fairly flat attitude and therefore no fear of blowing over, just get it over 50 and glide across the top. See the 1997 Hot Boat performance evaluation for their opinion.
As far as backing up their product you might be aware of the dreaded OMC bankruptcy. Even though we purchased an extended 5-year warranty we ended up not being covered for the first 2 years since Bombardier did not pick up the liability. This is where John and Al really stepped in, they told me not to worry, but I did anyway. When the motor stopped they stepped in and gave me what I guess was a “Stoker” warranty and covered everything, not just once, but twice! All at their cost, never one complaint, just apologies for something they had no control of.
Just about all builders sell a quality product but one needs more than that when they make a purchase of that size, you are also buying integrity. By the way, I wish I would have purchased the 300x for more speed, 100 is better than the 80’s, but the Ficht is good on gas though, less than 10gph.

[Charley]

Havasu Secret.....Stoker makes a really sweet tunnel....Proven fast.....The only thing you will suffer from is the ability to run hard in big water...good choice!

[Dsampson]

Heres my lowdown on the Stoker.
The boats run and handle well, but they are a little aged in the design- here's what I mean.
Stoker tunnerls have u-shaped (non covered) floors that ride loud and you can feel the water through the hull on your feet. (wierd at 80+)
The winshield are the older bolt on plexis and not the cool molded in type.
the swimsteps are bolted on and not molded into the hull the new trick 1 piece designs.
Check out the Lavey 20.8 tunnel it'll post the same numbers as the stoker, but has a higher level of trickness in he design.
Or cut a good deal with Alan and have him build you one.

[Sigus]

There is only one guy I know of who went through this. Hey Jerry. You are correct you should have got the 300. Then you could spank that bad ass Daytona.
Regards,
Big B. (aka Sig)
Originally posted by ski stoker:
Havasu Secret,
I believe you made a good choice. Last year we purchased a new Stoker 20.4 with an Evinrude Ficht 225 and Al and John definitely over delivered in a quality product and service. Before deciding on a Stoker we had taken many test rides in a number of our friend’s boats including: Cole, Commander, Hallet, Schiada, Carrera, Eliminator, and a Liberator all of which are great boats, each with different strengths.
What set the Stoker apart was the encompassing of many attributes. You get incredible hull strength, along with the speed and comfort of a tunnel, and unmatched turning ability, try pulling a U-turn in a cat type tunnel at 70. The ride is extraordinary. The 20.4 is easy to trailer, get around in, and exceptional for skiing, the wake is almost non-existent. On the roughest of days in Havasu there is no problem with the chop, the hull rides at a fairly flat attitude and therefore no fear of blowing over, just get it over 50 and glide across the top. See the 1997 Hot Boat performance evaluation for their opinion.
As far as backing up their product you might be aware of the dreaded OMC bankruptcy. Even though we purchased an extended 5-year warranty we ended up not being covered for the first 2 years since Bombardier did not pick up the liability. This is where John and Al really stepped in, they told me not to worry, but I did anyway. When the motor stopped they stepped in and gave me what I guess was a “Stoker” warranty and covered everything, not just once, but twice! All at their cost, never one complaint, just apologies for something they had no control of.
Just about all builders sell a quality product but one needs more than that when they make a purchase of that size, you are also buying integrity. By the way, I wish I would have purchased the 300x for more speed, 100 is better than the 80’s, but the Ficht is good on gas though, less than 10gph.

[ski stoker]

Hey Sig,
That 300 would have put me close, but I would probably need the new Stoker 224 to keep up with that rocket. Bring on the summer!

[Skaterfast]

Lavey Craft will post the same numbers.HA ha thats a good one Sampson.

[had2bf8]

Hey, you should still come check out the HTM's! We got some at our place that are great and can be ready to go... Probably could get a good deal..... 661 268-1309

[HavasuDreamin']

Stoker, in my opinion has always built one of the best all around performance boats for the money. You can't go wrong. A forgiving boat that will run better than 100 mph, yet have the ability and agility to pull skiers, wake boarders, etc. The hulls have some of the best lines around, and lets face it looks are important. Excellent all around choice.