It’s Official: Alan Jackson Has The Coolest Collection of Boats

He’s no Russian oligarch, mind you. But when it comes to aquatic motorcraft, nobody in country music or much of anywhere else has ol’ Alan Jackson beat. And no, we’re not just talking about the sheer size or glitz factor of some super yacht with a helipad and servant’s quarters. Forget that nonsense. This is Alan Jackson we’re talking about, after all. So you know his collection of boats will be impressive, but most importantly, it will include a lot of country soul.
Specifically, Alan Jackson prefers wooden boats, or boats with wooden accents, including vintage ones.
Alan Jackson had a huge summer hit in 1993 with the song “Chattahoochee,” and in 1996 he bought a Hickman Wooden Boat Works Gentleman’s Racer model off the royalties, and had it custom inlaid with the the name “Hoochie Coochie, TN,” taken from the “Chattahoochee” song.
The 26-foot speedboat was built with all wood accents inside and out, and is capable of speeds of 57 mph. Though it’s the smallest boat in the Alan Jackson fleet, it’s arguably one of the coolest, with the picture of Jackson behind the wheel (see above) since becoming prolific.
But that’s not the only wooden boat Alan Jackson has owned. “Flat Top” is an vintage collector’s item, and thanks to Alan Jackson, it has forever been preserved. Originally built in 1955 by Chris-Craft, it is 29-foot semi-enclosed wooden boat. Jackson purchased the boat in 2002 when it was in poor condition, and had it transported to Tennessee so that Hickman Boat Works (the same folks that made “Hoochie Coochie”) could do extensive restoration and repairs on the boat.

“Flat Top” is named for the type of flat top guitar Alan Jackson plays, and the boat is both rare and historically significant. It was one of only 36 made, and it took three years for Hickman Boat Works to restore it to original condition. Now this is where the story “Flat Top” and Alan Jackson gets even more cool. Instead of speeding around the lakes of Tennessee in the boat, Alan Jackson donated it to the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York in 2013.
“The museum is grateful for Mr. Jackson’s gift of this remarkable boat, and for his continuing dedication to America’s boating history,” said Emmett Smith, the museum’s curator at the time. “Mr. Jackson has been a leader in restoring some of these classics and it is astonishing to see them appreciated by a musician who operates at the highest level of contemporary popular culture.”

“Flat Top” is still on display at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York, with a cardboard cutout of Jackson hanging out in the back. And though there’s is no other public record of Alan Jackson’s aquatic altruism, it seems to be at least a possibility that he’s rescued and restored other wooden boats over the years, and made sure they’re preserved for future generations.
But the flagship of the Alan Jackson fleet is the boat called “Hullbilly.” It was made famous in the video for the song “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with Jimmy Buffett. Basically, the entire video is based around the boat.
But it truth, there hasn’t been just one “Hullbilly.” It’s the continuous name of Alan Jackson’s big ocean fishing boat. It is believed that there have been as many as four separate models of the “Hullbilly,”—a 45-foot model, a 60-foot model, a 68-foot model, and a 75-foot model—all top-of-the-line sport fishing vessels made by Merritt, according to Off The Hook Yachts.
All of Alan Jackson “Hullbilly” models look similar with multi-story fishing decks, multiple cabins, and rear wood accents, calling back to Jackson’s admiration for vintage wooden boats. The one from the “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” video was the 75-foot model made in 2003 by Merritt, and it was eventually sold to a charter company.

Perhaps the reason that Alan Jackson continues to get new models of the “Hullbilly” and eventually sells them is because after he’s owned the vessels, the resale value goes up. In fact, recently a brand new version of “Hullbilly” was just placed on the market according to Northrop & Johnson for a cool $8.2 million. It is a 68-foot model of the boat built in 2022, and the description says,
“HULLBILLY” is a one of kind cold molded 68 footer. This boat is hull #110 by Merritt’s and was built for a very knowledgeable owner who has had many previous Merritt’s and other boats as well. Finished in late 2022 and barely used with only 146 hours. With a replacement value of over $9 million dollars and a seven year wait for a new boat this makes an incredible opportunity for someone in the custom boat market.
We’ll just assume that the “very knowledgeable owner” is the one and only Alan Jackson. The boat has four staterooms and three heads. And of course it includes the “Hullbilly” name inlaid in the back, forever tying it to the Alan Jackson legacy. The boat name is so iconic, when you got to Alan Jackson’s “AJ’s Good Time Bar on Lower Broadway in Nashville, the main bar is built like a replica of the back of “Hullbilly.”
Obviously, boating has been a big part of Alan Jackson’s life. But with his recent diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease that has affected his motor skills, Jackson just may not be spending as much time out on the boat fishing as before. Also, Alan Jackson’s son-in-law also died in 2018 after falling from a boat pier and hitting his head.
Either way, Alan Jackson’s enthusiasm for boating hasn’t just been a good way to spend all the money he’s made minting 26 #1 singles and selling some 75 million records. It’s something he’s also given back to, preserving the history of vintage wood hulled boats, not dissimilar to his efforts to preserve country music in it’s original and organic form.
July 2, 2023 @ 12:50 pm
That was great! Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet . . . . A match made in heaven!
July 3, 2023 @ 7:46 am
I love Alan Jackson He’s One in a Million. I have Alan Jackson Plates. Twelve of them. He’s the Greatest one ever ❤️❤️ Prayers ???????? to you ????
October 6, 2023 @ 8:41 pm
Where did you get Alan Jackson plates?
July 4, 2023 @ 8:19 am
Alan Jackson I have been listening to you every since I have been knee high grasshopper. I love all your music. One other thing I love in this world is fishing I live in your state Florida . You got to have a boat to catch fish in Florida. Over the years Florida Cover up all the good fishing holes with homes real-estate. So you can’t fish in Florida with out a boat. If you come back to Florida and don’t need a boat bring one by my house I could use one. Thanks Alan Jackson
July 7, 2023 @ 9:44 pm
His collection is OK, but far from the caliber of Lee and Penny Anderson’s collection on Gull Lake in Nisswa, MN.
October 5, 2023 @ 4:32 pm
Yeah, but he’s Alan Jackson!!????????????
July 2, 2023 @ 3:12 pm
You can’t beat the way an old wood boat rides.
July 2, 2023 @ 4:02 pm
I don’t think there’s anything I dislike about Jackson. his music, his attitude, his love for boats and cars, and the way he conducts himself is all first class.
July 2, 2023 @ 4:02 pm
I don’t think there’s anything I dislike about Jackson. his music, his attitude, his love for boats and cars, and the way he conducts himself is all first class.
July 2, 2023 @ 4:12 pm
He also has one featured on the cover of his “Everything I Love” album.
July 2, 2023 @ 8:42 pm
Allen is the best country music of my time an. A wonderful man ,husband ,and a father he is just a wonderful person!! God Bess you!
July 2, 2023 @ 11:18 pm
He has a boat named “Exited the Beehive”
Beyonce reference…?
October 5, 2023 @ 4:33 pm
????????????????????could BE!
July 3, 2023 @ 9:58 am
I bet there is a boat in the collection that is 18’ from bow to stern light and has a 70hp Johnson with electric choke…hope so anyway ????
July 3, 2023 @ 10:15 am
Good article, trig. I love AJ. Good guy and good artist.
July 3, 2023 @ 4:47 pm
I love Alan Jackson nd his music. The picture of his boat is awesome nd so is he. I love the song Alan nd Jimmy sing I always sing to it. Keep on singing Mr Jackson nd I will keep on listening. Love nd good health to u nd ur family. Love u lots.
July 3, 2023 @ 7:09 pm
The man is a true icon not only to country music but to man kind itself. There is no finer person
October 5, 2023 @ 4:34 pm
He’s what you call, “Raised Right”!
July 3, 2023 @ 8:46 pm
Little slower now son you’re doing just fine
July 4, 2023 @ 4:59 am
I have always loved Alan Jackson music and him in general as a good person and family man. Keep singing Alan.
July 4, 2023 @ 7:49 am
What can I say Alan Jackson is probably the most complete country artist since Johnny Cash He is somebody young people could and should look up to when someone says he done it right well Alan Jackson short hats I saw him once in Nashville in his convertible he was being driven I Believe by his daughter or his wife LOL I should have Dove on the car when I had the chance hahaha just kidding Mr Jackson but I remember seeing you down Broadway I just wish we could have met take care Mr Jackson wherever you’re at my hat’s off to you and thanks for such great songs including the one where you want to stroll all over heaven with you and remember when two of my favorites
July 4, 2023 @ 7:52 am
I can write songs I can write books I can write screenplays even with all the impersonations I do I don’t think I could do country music Justice even if I wrote and sang My Own I do wish I could meet Alan Jackson Arnold Palmer and I once had lunch in his barn in Latrobe Chuck Tanner and myself were very good friends those of you that know baseball history you would know who he is Jim Valvano and I were also friends I miss all three of them
July 4, 2023 @ 7:54 am
I lived in Tennessee for 3 years I’ve been to Alan Jackson’s place even though it’s one of the smaller Honky Tonks it is a really nice place to visit have a beer and listen to some music I treasure all the time that I spec down Honky Tonk Road it was perhaps one of the best times of my life hanging out at The Honky Tonks on Broadway I can’t say that for what I’ve been through for the last three or four years because my life has been like a country album or two very sad and painful
July 4, 2023 @ 7:57 am
What I wouldn’t do to have a few moments with someone like Mr Jackson to go over some of my music ideas what I wouldn’t do to be able to live back in the Nashville Murfreesboro area it’s saddens me everyday that I’m not somewhere near Nashville as a rule I don’t like many cities but Nashville want my heart years ago it breaks my heart that some wonderful place like Nashville is over 600 miles away from me for I don’t have hardly anyone in my life anymore but a trip to the Grand old Opry or down Honky Tonk Road even if I was just having a sweet tea it’s something to eat was a lot more pleasant than the hell I’ve been going through for the last 4 years
July 4, 2023 @ 8:00 am
If only I had a way to get back down to Nashville and I could sustain myself I would be a much happier person there’s just something about that town that makes people happy maybe because you could go into any place and hear a Hank Williams Jr song or Johnny Cash song Waylon Jennings way like might be dead but you can still hear his music there and that’s good enough for me it truly brings tears to my eyes just thinking about all the good times I had in Nashville and it may be a long time before I ever get back God bless all those that work and live in Nashville I wish I could say I’d say you guys soon but I know it’s going to take some time for me to get back there I guess you could say Nashville is my happy place
July 4, 2023 @ 12:09 pm
I grew up around boats & the ocean so going in the Navy was a natural thing. Really think hullbilly is beautiful. Out of my price range though. Thanks to all now serving, those who have, and those who will in the future. FLY NAVY!!!
July 4, 2023 @ 1:42 pm
I’m not a country music fan but my dad was and in the last few months of his life I found this Alan Jackson precious memories CD which we played for him often I liked it so much myself that I bought about a dozen of them and gave them to friends and family and I frequently play it in my car and sing along I recommend you do the same God bless you all. Thank you AJ
October 5, 2023 @ 4:36 pm
He’s what you call, “Raised Right”!
July 4, 2023 @ 8:06 pm
I seen Alan Jackson and his boat and his motorhome at lake Powell years ago
July 6, 2023 @ 1:35 pm
Alan Jackson, you are an incredible artist. I am a retired Republican judge and otherwise good friend Jimmy Buffett changed his phone number when he realized Iran is Republican, I still love him. If you get me an email address I can fax you or send you pictures of my 1947, Chris Craft 25 on about, which is never been in the water, hello, it’s never been in the water. Not long ago Seth Hargett, may help me sell a wine distributor may have mentioned he spoke to you. I’ll be happy to send you all the pics. I have a hole was built by Grandcraft certificate of origin is dated 2009 and I have never had it in the water. If you think you’re interested send me your email and I’ll send you some photos, thanks Alan. I’ve taken up enough of your time, Charlie. PS, I have never completed the boat. I’ll leave that to you, if you’re interested.
July 10, 2023 @ 6:34 am
I’ve been an AJ fan his whole career. Have a signed guitar. He asked how do you want it signed? I said “I was busy in KY so Hillbilly Bob.” He said “Oh, I can’t call anyone Hillbilly.” Ok, how about Kentucky Bob? Done! His wife loved her Eggshell Blue 55 T-Bird. I have the same car. Even though I’m a Chevy guy.
July 10, 2023 @ 5:55 pm
I’ve always been an Alan Jackson fan, Love all his music my favorites are the Gospel songs. I have always hoped to someday be able to meet him in person he is the best.
July 12, 2023 @ 10:59 am
Several years ago Alan was going to do a concert in Denver. My friend had heard on the radio that the 10th caller would receive 2 tickets to his performance. She called & happened to be the 10th caller. She asked me to accompany her & l was so happy to be able to go. What a great opportunity & blessing that was! He was great & we had a wonderful time! He loves GOD & GOD has blessed Alan!
October 14, 2023 @ 8:21 am
Alan please text me please I miss you so much . Text me Kristie