If Howard Pipcorn was still building Hydrostreams???

**Li'l Toy** · 10-17-2009, 10:51 PM

Butch--I only buy old, well-used boats. I used to think that a yacht cost $1,000 per foot. Guess I'm just getting old.

**mrcrsr** · 10-18-2009, 06:21 AM

what caused the demise of hydrostream(i want to say mismanagment but i could be wrong), i know the last boats built(the virages at least) have foam coring, no balsa in the hull/pad, but still has the wood floor,transom,etc. i also agree that technology has come a long ways since the boats were built, and there is no comparison between a real hydrostream(pipkorn designs) vs the new hydrostreams, and i'm not putting them down, but the lines and everything else are classic on the pipkorn boats

**BottomsUp** · 10-18-2009, 07:54 AM

all this talk makes me want to take the plug I made out of the vector molds before we destroyed them and make a new set of molds. The only boat that would not be a splash because the boat is out of original molds. These were original molds and the plug is made correctly so we could pull a mold. If I do this I would call in Ron and or Sam Baker and put a flat pad on before we make a mold. I bought these molds from a dude in Ma. years ago and made three boats and a plug. The first boat I ever took my wife for a ride in was a Vector and yes Hydrostream owners are like a cult. Hydrostream may have continued but just like Switzer all good things come to an end !!

**Da Bull** · 10-18-2009, 08:38 AM

A bran new Vector would be cool! On the pad thing tho, In a ski boat a flat pad may be ok but if i had a light weight drag Vector (and i do) i would want the hook. With V-6 power on juice the hook keeps the nose down. I learned years ago (the hard way) about flying the nose in a light comp Vector. I was young and thought high was better and completely disregarded Mr Pipcorn`s reason for the hooked pad. After that boat`s demize i started running them as low as i could and found way more speed and control. I like the hook!

DB

**Dukeofchippewa** · 10-18-2009, 10:32 AM

I agree 100%, leave the hook.

**Hydrovector** · 10-19-2009, 09:06 AM

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7JQT1MpPaU03xHg4I63zPw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_LoosKwyLBVY/StxvDwNh_-I/AAAAAAAAAGg/XZgD28oAQnQ/s144/DSCF0001.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/stvmike93/BoatPictures?feat=embedwebsite">boat pictures</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OuO2k6YX1bwpIoWh2KgnUA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_LoosKwyLBVY/StxvFiFcKKI/AAAAAAAAAGk/nqADC8VIqlM/s144/DSCF0015.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/stvmike93/BoatPictures?feat=embedwebsite">boat pictures</a></td></tr></table>

Here are the famous Howard Pipkorn racing in the Twin cites Power Boat Club.
The Race was in Crosby that is 16 miles from home.

**litnin** · 04-04-2010, 01:05 AM

Great thread...I think I remember 2 funny things reading over it...one was that Howard only had a HS Vector left in his possession...without power. Yeah...that's the Howard I know...just one Hydrostream to his name...heh. The other was that ...well...I'll keep that to myself...funny stuff though. Howard IS a great guy....I'm fortunate enough to know him at the present time and his insights and ideas are always forthcoming....dare to dream!

**frankenstream** · 09-07-2013, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by litnin

Great thread...I think I remember 2 funny things reading over it...one was that Howard only had a HS Vector left in his possession...without power. Yeah...that's the Howard I know...just one Hydrostream to his name...heh. The other was that ...well...I'll keep that to myself...funny stuff though. Howard IS a great guy....I'm fortunate enough to know him at the present time and his insights and ideas are always forthcoming....dare to dream!

Does anybody have Howard's contact information? I have owned his boats since the golden era of the late 70's and 80's. His work is truly visionary. I have some ideas I want to bounce off the master about a bottom design I want to try. I have raced for years, know what works on smaller boats but need to ask "Obiwan Konobie" about how my designs would apply to a 19' boat. An email address would be greatly appreciated.

Rusty Sitton
SE Texas

**FUJIMO** · 09-07-2013, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by frankenstream

I have some ideas I want to bounce off the master about a bottom design I want to try. I have raced for years, know what works on smaller boats but need to ask "Obiwan Konobie" about how my designs would apply to a 19' boat.
Rusty Sitton
SE Texas

As a manufacturer, if possible, make it a 20 footer. Much, much simpler to Coast Guard/BIA approve, and then later, to manufacture. This is why many builders boat lines start with a 20 footer.

**Da Bull** · 09-07-2013, 12:35 PM

Way back in 1977 we were on our yearly vacation to Lake Greason in Arkansas where i saw something that got my attintion. In Rock Creek where the fast boats hung out there was this goofy looking boat with a hooked over nose and was kicking there butts. It was a 17ft Vector/175 2.0L Merc. Later that day the dude camy by our campsite to visit and asked if i would like to take a ride. I jumped at the chanch. He drug his kellar something like 90mph and i was hooked. The next year i had a 175 Merc and later i finally got my first of several Vectors.
Thats what got me into boat racing all those years ago.

DB

**frankenstream** · 09-07-2013, 01:15 PM

Thanks for the heads up Fujimo. If I do make more than one boat (and I have thought about it) that's good to know. The plug is not 20', but it's not finished either.. so thanks. I thought about selling a few.. but haven't considered the certification and all the red tape. I probably won't because this boat is for me to play with. Having the only one on the sand bar is part of the fun of it. I'm not using a heavy motor either. If I was selling boats I can see where the 500+ motor weight would necessitate a 20' hull. I intend to use a 15" drag motor with a sandbar powerhead (not a 1 ring 11K race block) but I love the light weight, the sound and look of those short Mercs.

Driver location and scale of the boat is just right where it is, making it longer would take some rethinking. hmmmm.... I would like to add some length to the bow seat backs... you have me considering another chain saw incident..... lol. When you start a boat build with a chain saw like I did..... it's like the pig and the chicken offering breakfast. The chicken may be invested but the pig has to be serious about it. I need to decide how bad I want to serve bacon to the masses.

There are so many boats out there to choose from, unless Hydrostream mass hysteria hits and everybody suddenly wants a stretched Vamp that can carry a 300 four stroke.... it's probably not in the cards. Let's do a poll right here... I'll count sold orders.... lol. I do need to find out where I can get my hands on that huge metalflake Pipkorn used. Maybe the bass lure people have a line on it.

I'm building my structure and core with coosa so it won't be a cheap build, but it won't need a core in 10 years either. The back seat will be fun... I'm mounting it longitudal like a double jet ski seat with a removable ski pole. The inside of the box will be storage / ice chest. The sides of the frame will be great braces for the transom. The rest of the seating will be cool too. This "podseat" will be nice to sit on and put your skis on and generally hang out. Back to backs opposite the driver and a nice bucket that swivels all the way around for the pilot. All pad boat drivers know if you want the "A" ride you need to put the passenger in the middle in the back... so I got that. "yeah thats cool... open that seat and grab those swim goggles hanging there on the left............. now sit down and grab that pole right there in front of you sista.... you might wanna hold on to something

Gas tanks and gear will balance my weight under the passenger seat. The back of the boat will be pretty light.

Cool story bull..... many of us have similar memories, probably even spawned a few ourselves in our time.

OK, I'll be first.... serial number 00001 is mine. deposit made.

**Quinten** · 09-07-2013, 01:47 PM

I actually skipped through most of this thread, I will read it all later. However, I will say, directly, indirectly, by association, by proxy, which ever way you want to say it, the Gentleman changed my life. It was a direct and permanent influence upon me to witness his boats on the lake at a very young age. Good, bad or indifferent, I appreciate the man's contribution to the boating/high performance boating community and all of those involved. Thank you Howard! If I may call you by your first name. You sir, have had a profound impact on my life since the age of 8. I am 41 years old today, and your designs, your boats and your passion still drive me every time I think about boating or being on the water. I can only hope that someday my children and grandchildren will know the excitement and pleasure that comes with such a sexy and proven model of maritime design upon which you devoted a number, if not still, years of your life to. Thanks again!