HydroStream Power Tour 2016 and beyond

[nitro_rat]

Weight hanging off the transom is a primary factor that effects handling in a Viper or Vector. They were designed with an inline or crossflow V4 in mind. A big jackplate sets the motor back and makes in seem "heavier," exactly what you don't want.

My Varmint has a very short hydraulic plate on it (less than 2"). It is also very light, using aluminum pneumatic rams for the hydraulics). I am not sure who made it, but it is old and I haven't seen another like it.

The other thing that makes the hop more pronounced in a Viper or Vector is a wet core. The bottom really gets out of shape when the boat isn't solid.

[ctpdsr]

I bought my son's 80Vking and restored it over the Sumer. Just had my first couple of boat rides and looking forward to the learning curve. Hull has a new core & transom. Interior seats are restored originals. I have enjoyed meeting a few of you and thanks for helping the kid along the way!

[Petey]

Looking good Dad!

[Hippie459MN]

Hope that is my kid and I some day. So far he LOVES the streams even though we havent been able to make waves yet. Thats awesome!

[Scream And Fly]

That looks fantastic! You did a great job and I really like the color scheme on your V-King. To me, the V-King has always been my favorite of the classic Hydrostreams.

I bought my son's 80Vking and restored it over the Sumer. Just had my first couple of boat rides and looking forward to the learning curve. Hull has a new core & transom. Interior seats are restored originals. I have enjoyed meeting a few of you and thanks for helping the kid along the way!

[Scream And Fly]

Going through my photo archives, I found this photo of a Hydrostream with OMC power. This one really looks to be in very good condition.
I do not know who the owner is - maybe somebody on this post here. The photo was taken at the Rondack Romp.

[Capt.Insane-o]

Going through my photo archives, I found this photo of a Hydrostream with OMC power. This one really looks to be in very good condition.
I do not know who the owner is - maybe somebody on this post here. The photo was taken at the Rondack Romp.

I'd love to find a v king in that color scheme in that condition.

[PaulR]

Thanks, that's what I've read. BUT I look at as many pics and videos of Vipers as I can find and I see guys running all kinds of plates that look to be between 4-6". At least the V6 guys seem to.

My objective is not top speed. I want to put my kids in the boat and have it ride smooth and handle decent. I will not be towing anything with it, I've got a "family boat" for that. If the boat porpoises and rides like crap, no one will get in it. There will be times I want to throw a speed prop on it, take it out myself and let it rip to the extent I can. Maybe a shorter manual jack plate that I can quickly adjust is a better idea than a hydraulic one.Attachment 356395

I had a Viper back in the 1980's with a 200 Merc on it with 5" of setback and I don't remember it being horrible but I was a young guy and probably didn't care much if it bounced. I put the same motor and jackplate on a Vector and it drove fine until I had the bottom blueprinted then it bounced at any speed under 70, so like someone said, the condition of the bottom makes a big difference.

Bob's makes a nice 4" jackplate that I think would work fine with the lighter weight inline. I have one on my STV and its really easy to adjust.

[ctpdsr]

That looks fantastic! You did a great job and I really like the color scheme on your V-King. To me, the V-King has always been my favorite of the classic Hydrostreams.

Thanks! The gelcoat is 100% original. Sort of a silver-blue fade. There is some sun fading on the front deck that I would like to address over the winter and would appreciate any advice on that front.

[rjdubiel]

Thanks, that's what I've read. BUT I look at as many pics and videos of Vipers as I can find and I see guys running all kinds of plates that look to be between 4-6". At least the V6 guys seem to.

My objective is not top speed. I want to put my kids in the boat and have it ride smooth and handle decent. I will not be towing anything with it, I've got a "family boat" for that. If the boat porpoises and rides like crap, no one will get in it. There will be times I want to throw a speed prop on it, take it out myself and let it rip to the extent I can. Maybe a shorter manual jack plate that I can quickly adjust is a better idea than a hydraulic one.Attachment 356395

If you want it for family and friends put the motor on the transom or a 2.5-5 inch bobs manual and set it up at 2.5 inches and go. Just trim the motor under and they are not that bad, bottom mods on the wings by the back will help as well at slower speeds. All my vipers with V6 merc or V6/V4 crossflows will hop but thats with the motor 1/2 above the pad. Lower you go the less it hops is my experience.

[nitro_rat]

In fact, a late 80's - early 90's 3 cyl Merc at about 265 lbs makes a good motor for a family/lake boat Viper. Even with just a 90hp crossflow nobody wanted to ride in my Viper. It had better manners with the lighter Merc (plus still has that vintage inline look).

[ctpdsr]

For what it's worth, my son's Viper had the 2 1/2 manual Bob's plate and stock 115hp Johnson crossflow with standard gearcase when we picked it up and seemed to work just fine. I like the look of the Merc inline much better, but I bleed Mercury green.

[rjdubiel]

Either way, a Viper with a 50 hp motor or a 200 hp is fun! If you don't have a smile after driving any HydroStream you may have very deep personal issues!

[427Man]

Sold the Johnson today. Kind of sad to see the original engine to the boat go down the road, but I feel pretty good that it will look better with vintage black on the back.

[Capt.Insane-o]

Beautiful motor, I have one too that came on my Vector that looks like it just came out of the box.

Get that boat off that roller trailer too..