hydro stream viper

[bigbluechevy454]

would it be ok to run a 2.5 mercury 200 on it? maybe a yamaha v max ? what kinda speed if so?

[tj309]

As long as the boat is solid - especially the transom - there will be no problem. I have a 79 V-King with a 225XP on it. The only concession I make is I don't nail the throttle hard from a standstill to minimize stress.

[Capt.Insane-o]

Yammies are too heavy.. a 200 merc is perfect.

[EMDSAPMGR]

A friend ran a 76 200 Johnson on one for years. No jackplate. Hook removed. Was it great out of the hole! Agree on the transom. These are old boats and the transoms suffer with age.

[scc82]

i have a 1981 viper all original no problems solid as a rock, but that is rare to find. the boats will handle v6 power no problem if it is set up right and you know how to drive it safetly. i have a 15" 200 merc with alittle work done and it runs 94mph with a 24 et copy at 8200rpm. the boats get smoother and more stable the faster you go, it realy surprised me when i got it rigged out and running, its easier to drive at 90 then at 65-70mph. they are a very cool classic stream and now you can buy it new again, just not without power. hope this helps
thanks,

[Raceman]

A Viper is a handfull with a V6. There've been a couple of VERY experienced Viper guys here that've blown 'em over with V6 Mercs. They require A LOT of seat time and very good rigging to be even borderline safe with V6 power.

I also think it's a HUGE mistake to remove the hook. The hook allows the boat to unwet the bottom in a way that a bigger trim angle would, while the boat can still run at a flatter angle. This makes it much less prone to blowover.

[bigbluechevy454]

thanks