Paul Allison: A Boating Pioneer
We lost a true legend—a Hall of Famer and a genius. Paul Allison’s extraordinary inventions and innovations set world records, powered thousands of race wins, and helped crown countless world champions.
The marine racing world remembers Paul O’Neil Allison, the visionary inventor, artist, and co-founder of Allison Craft Boats, who passed away on May 7, 2025, at 100 years old. For over six decades, Paul was a leader in boatbuilding and a pioneer of racing innovation.
The Allison family's boatbuilding journey began in 1917. Paul's own path started in 1955 when he built his first racing hull from salvaged parts, outperforming previous vessels. This success, coupled with recovery from a serious injury, led him and his wife Lucille to establish Allison Craft Boats in Friendsville, Tennessee.
Paul's designs quickly made history. In 1959, he was the first to exceed 60 mph in a production outboard pleasure boat (61.8 mph with an 80hp motor). Shifting to fiberglass in 1960, Allison Craft Boats became synonymous with speed and efficiency, consistently breaking records throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s, eventually surpassing 129 mph with production components.
Paul Allison reshaped performance boating with groundbreaking innovations. In the 1950s, he introduced the cupped propeller and hydraulic power trim. The 1960s saw his development of the V-bottom hull with a pad, a design still fundamental today. In the 1970s, he advanced marine aerodynamics with wing stabilizers and front foils. His hands-on, iterative design process was legendary, influencing future boat designers like Rourk Summerford of Laser and STV Boats.
During the golden age of OPC racing in the 1960s and 70s, Allison Craft boats dominated, offering accessible, race-ready performance. As Mod VP and drag boat racing emerged in the 1980s, Allison hulls, known for their light weight and aerodynamic efficiency, became the racers' choice for achieving triple-digit speeds.
Beyond his marine achievements, Paul, with Lucille, ran Allison’s Catfish Restaurant. He was also an artist and enjoyed farming. He is survived by his children, Darris, Denise, Danette, and Donna, and a large family.
Paul Allison’s impact endures. His designs helped countless racers achieve new levels of speed and excellence, cementing his legacy as a true American original whose work continues to influence the water.
Paul Allison, 100, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
