Here comes the new guy!

[69MyWay]

Wow...a few days ago I had no idea I would once again be a boat owner. Thanks to my wife of 10+ years....and as a total surprise.....we are now the owners of a 1984 Hydrostream Viper with a 115 Merc. I was out of town on business for a week. When I came home yesterday the Viper was sitting in the driveway. My wife had sealed the deal behind my back and left me with a huge surprise.

It all started many years ago with the purchase of a 14' aluminum John boat. That bored us to tears so we upgraded to a 19' Cobia bowrider with a 115 Johnson. It was a blast...but hard to store, park, trailer, and use.

We found a 1971 15' Checkmate with a 90 hp merc that turned out to be a project. Six months later, a new trailer, new floor, new red imron paint, all new wires, dash, cables, seats, carpet, trim...it was ready to rock. We had a blast with that boat due to the size, speed, and pure fun factor. We sold it in 1998 as I prepared to move to a new location.

Ironically, we moved to central Florida in an area known as the chain of lakes...and boatless.

We moved away, then moved back....boatless.

Fastforward to now. We have always like the looks of the Viper. It is the closest thing to a Corvette Stingray on the water that I know.

This one has some floor issues, wiring issues, and who knows what else. The seller said is is rare. I have no idea why that would be.

So...I may lean on you guys for a while until this thing is screaming...and flying again!

Thanks!

[Blue Stream]

You got a great wife!

Usually it is the wife making us sell the boat around here!:D

Welcome to S&F!

Post some pics of your Stream or send them to me and I will post them for you.

[nik kurdziel]

Damn good woman!!Does she have any sisters? Welcome!!!

[Fish]

Damn good woman!!Does she have any sisters? Welcome!!!

Make that 2 sisters, I got dibs on the morally casual one!! LOL Seriously, welcome to scream and fly, we are here for ya and hope to see you at some of the hot boat events we have around florida.

fish

[beer30]

If the wife is into it, you got it made!!!!;) That how I have it, so I am also one of the lucky ones.:D

Also welcome to the board, no place better to see great boats and meet some super people!!!!:cool: Chuck.

[Lanceonthelake]

You should come over to Jungle Den this weekend, you could meet alot of fellow S&Fers. You'll find info here in General Discussion.
Welcome to the board!

[tunnelmike]

On the wife and the boat ! I had a Viper once and loved it ! See you at a get togeather soon. Mike

[nik kurdziel]

So that means I get stuck with the one with morals?Wow she better have LOTS of money!!!! or a hell of a boat!!!

[RIVERRUMMER 70]

How Bout A Hydrostream Group Hug?
That Was Nice, Now On To The Important Stuff, What Did The Seller Say Was The "rare Quality" About This Viper?
I Would Ask Him Straight Up ? The Only Thing Rare About An 84 Viper
Would Be The Color, Maybe The Weight, Im Stretching Here But Maybe It Was Built Personally By Howard Pipkorn?
None The Less Vipers Are Fun And Can Be Very Fast, Even With A 115 Hp, Be Safe And God Bless Your Loving Wife!!!!!
I Think The Blue With Black And Silverflake Was Rare In 84?

[69MyWay]

Thanks guys.

I live in Auburndale which is basically between Lakeland and Orlando. I work in Winter Haven. Many years ago they dug canals between the major lakes and linked them. They link all the way to the backside of Cypress Gardens. I am anxious to explore.

My wife is awesome. It it wasn't for her I would never have completed any of the car projects you see on my website www.mcspeed.com (http://www.mcspeed.com) . Don't know what I would do without her.

She didn't buy it because it is rare. The seller had just added those comments. It is black and silver. Looks like I need to wetsand and buff as there is a white haze on some of the surface.

I am going to run it tonight and check the systems (on the trailer). The power up on the tilt does not work with the switch. He was grounding a screwdriver across the solenoid to lift the motor. Either the switch on the handle is bad, or there is a bad wire. I am going to check that out too.

I was trying to run a search on the Kissimmee meet in November (River Ranch?) Kissimme/Olde Town is about 40 minutes from my house.

[Fish]

So that means I get stuck with the one with morals?Wow she better have LOTS of money!!!! or a hell of a boat!!!


Snooze ya looze nik! :p :D :D :D

[Blue Stream]

Holy Chit!!

That is the baddest 69 Vette I have ever seen!!:eek:

Amazing job!!

That rear wheel makes the car along with those side pipes.

[Little Jon]

Lance now only if kelly can do this just for the 260 :D

[Ziemer]

Lance now only if kelly can do this just for the 260 :D

Lance, please note that this was not me bustin' your balls. :D :p

Welcome to the board 69. There is plenty of information here to help you get your rig in top shape. And you live in a great place to attend a lot of different events. Used to have a Vector before the Allison, which is basically the big brother of the Viper. ;) :cool:

[69MyWay]

Just took it for the first run. However, before I could do that I had to run down to Napa and pick up a couple of new tilt relays. The floor is getting weak, but instead of tearing it all down for an overhaul, I would like to use it a bit first. So, I spent a few hours this morning building an aluminum support for the tilt/trim pump assembly.

Here is the good part. It went right on the lake and ran pretty strong.

The bad part.....it does not have reverse. On land it will spin the prop backwards, but in the water it doesn't work at all. The trailer bunks need some TLC and I need a new winch cable/rope.

We ran all around the lake for about 30 minutes with no other problems. It gets out of the hole and levels off fast. It feels great on the top end. The speedo and tack are not working either.

So...Looks like the first challeng is to figure out why there is no reverse...and or start looking for a new lower unit (I assume that is where the gear changing happens).

We took some pictures. I will upload later.

My 2 year old didn't know what to think. He was speechless (which is a rare thing right now).

[Little Jon]

Lance, please note that this was not me bustin' your balls.


Lol it was out there so i just felt like throwing it out.. And remember Lance.. Brad will talk to her about it, lol.!:p :p :D :rolleyes:

[69MyWay]

Here are a couple of pictures from this weekend after taking it for a swim.

[gambler outlaw]

Winter Haven and the Chain is a great place to boat. We could do without some of the jet ski's though. There are always a crew of fast boats out on the weekends. Enjoy.

[RedAllison]

I agree, DAAAAAAAAAAAAMN that 69 Stingray is beyond words. Zora Arkus Dontav would be PROUD I can assure you...

The Hstream looks/sounds like a neat project as well. Between that and your obvious skills in the shop I would say that you will be right at home on this site.

But let me go ahead right now and let you in on a little secret, with the pervs on this site your best "ace in the hole" is that long legged blonde on the rear deck of that Stingray!!! :D :p ;)
RA

[1BadAction]

that long legged blonde

:confused: you have my attention. :rolleyes: :eek:

[Lanceonthelake]

Lol it was out there so i just felt like throwing it out.. And remember Lance.. Brad will talk to her about it, lol.!:p :p :D :rolleyes:
Little Jon Finish your homework. Mow the grass. And then get out there and start cleaning that boat. Then it's bedtime:eek:

[69MyWay]

Winter Haven and the Chain is a great place to boat. We could do without some of the jet ski's though. There are always a crew of fast boats out on the weekends. Enjoy.

We got a piece of it this weekend. My wife got out a map and we plotted all the lakes we intend to expore soon.

Do you have any idea who the best locals are to find used engine parts?

The blonde in the 69 Vette is my wife Nikki. No doubt she will be sporting on the deck of the Viper once I can get it back on the H2O.

[69MyWay]

Hey guys...while waiting for my lower unit parts I have taken some time this weekend (that was planned for boating), to 2,000 wet sand and buff the exterior. WOW! It looks like new. Also, it is black and gold...not black and silver.

I popped the hydrostream emblems off each side and yanked the interior. After lunch I am hitting it with the 3M perfect it II and the black soft pad. That will make the paint look pure wet. I will follow with some wax and be done with this for a long time.

The floor does have some issues. I am debating a temp repair for the rest of the season, or go ahead and cut it all out. I will have my mind made up in a few hours.

I am really looking forward to assembling the lower unit the end of next week and trying it out. It is a challenge because I have never opened one of those up before.

Now...I just need to get a trailer hitch for the 69 Vette and.......

[Little Jon]

Little Jon Finish your homework. Mow the grass. And then get out there and start cleaning that boat. Then it's bedtime:eek:


1 Is done
2 We have someone do it.
3 Dad has the boat so HAH! lol

[Hottrucks]

is the lower broken or is it just camed over???? you may not be broken at all just out of adustment??? ... drop your ower and check it by turning the shift shaft with a pair for pliers 15* should make it shift from F to R play with it a bit and it may save you a ton of $$$ but then you will need to adjust your shift cable to work correctly

welcome to the sight and I think you other half and mine are related

[69MyWay]

is the lower broken or is it just camed over???? you may not be broken at all just out of adustment??? ... drop your ower and check it by turning the shift shaft with a pair for pliers 15* should make it shift from F to R play with it a bit and it may save you a ton of $$$ but then you will need to adjust your shift cable to work correctly

welcome to the sight and I think you other half and mine are related

Thanks.

I know for sure it is broken because I got in there finally and had a look. The shift cam had a chunk broken off and was worn pretty bad. The clutch and reverse gear was hammered. I have some parts coming so hopefully it will be swimming again soon.

Just finished laying the first layer of glass on the new floor. I hope to wrap that up this weekend. I will let my wife cut and install the carpet.

[paul folks]

sounds like ur cummin along pretty good try and get it n the wata 4 the swann river run..

[69MyWay]

sounds like ur cummin along pretty good try and get it n the wata 4 the swann river run..

That would be awesome to make it there.

Saturday I tore the old floor out. The floor in the Viper is very simple from the front seats back. I picked up marine grade plywood to build the new floor. Plenty of grinding dust and nice fiberglass resin fumes later....the floor is strong and water proof for many years to come.

I am sure it is far heavier than stock as I used heavy duty materials (3/4" decking). I would rather it be strong and rot resistant for many years over a few top end mph at this point.

The original carpet came out in one piece. We scrubbed it last night, and I think I can glue it right back down.

The battery is not secured, and I am now thinking through ways to make sure it doesn't bounce around.

If this hurrican doesn't wipe us out this week, it should be ready to dip in the lake next weekend!