Hydrostream Virage Setup

[Aaronhl]

Looking to get a 150-225hp Mercury Outboard for my Hydrostream Virage. Do I need a short mid section? What size because all I see are 25" and that seems way too long. I have to measure the plate I have on the back I think it's around 6"...Also, what height should the center of the prop be in relation to the middle pad?

More questions to come, any other setup tips will help me

[David]

It will run a lot better with more hp. I had a 150 on mine and it was fast enough solo (73) but sluggish with a load.

You need a 20" motor and a power jackplate. Mine needed the prop low for low speed. High, even with pad more or less, for top end.

10-12" setback, if the transom is sound

[MacGyverJB]

Ditto on David's recommendations. On my Virage I have about 10" of setback, a 4" Bob's Machine setback box and a 6" Power Jackplate. You'll need a 20" motor. I had a 15" on mine when I first rigged it, and it was impossible to plane off with more then 2 people on board. The 20" with the Jackplate let's you take off with a full boat, run at slower speeds without porposing, and run for speed solo. It makes it very versatile. I currently have a 225HP on my Virage, offshore mid and CLE Lower. It is very well rounded to cruising with a full boat to the beach, or running for speed up the Connecticut River. I'm running a 26 Pitch Chopper Propeller.

[AlaskaStreamin]

What stage bottom do you have?
My favorite motor on my old stage II Virage was a 20" 225 ProMax with a Sportmaster. 7 1/2" setback (5 1/2" jack plate and 2" spacers), 32" cleaver at around 1" above the pad (raise until water pressure drops to 12#) yielded 99 mph. I got 104 mph with a 260 but the motor was always having some kind of issue. a Lightening ET is a more user friendly prop but will cost you a couple mph.
If you can't get over 80 mph, stick with a chopper or ET. The boat really wakes up over 80 mph.

My new Virage is a stage III and I am going with a 15" 280/ Sportmaster. Were going for all out speed with this set-up.

[Aaronhl]

Great information, Mine is a stage 1...I just picked the boat up so I haven't measured the jack plate yet.

Should I use stock merc lower unit or will it not get water at 80?

[AlaskaStreamin]

You can use a stock lower unit but will need a low water pick up (nose cone). Once you raise the motor (if it's a fishing motor), you will need to have other things to drain your wallet. Like solid motor mounts, foot throttle, trim at the steering wheel, water pressure gauge.

[Aaronhl]

I have some of those already, the boat already had a hot merc on it, hopefully I won't be spending to much hahaha

[AlaskaStreamin]

Pictures???

[Aaronhl]

Needs some work

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Aaronhl/DSCN0887_sm.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Aaronhl/DSCN0888_sm.jpg

[albypine]

Bski's old Virage . Think he had a 200 on it . Like all 25 year old streams that one will need some tlc, but done rite it will run well over 100 . Mine is a stage 1 with no issues or running aired out .

[albypine]

Please toss them high back seats in the ocean :D low backs look so muck better in a Virage :)

[Aaronhl]

Yup it used to be his, I think about 2 people had since he did. Actually next time the cover comes off I am ripping the seats out. Anyone want them?

This boat spent most of it's life in Long Island, now it's across the sound in CT

I also plan on taking the floor out and inspecting the core and transom. Most likely each will need to be restored.

[David]

Albypine has my old boat with a lot more power.

[AlaskaStreamin]

I dis-agree. :cheers:
The seat subject is where Alby and I will agree to dis-agree. East coast boats had high back seats and west coast had low.

When building my seat frames, I took everyones advise and was going with the low back seats but "to me" it didn't look right. The factory seats that were on pedestals were sold with the 12" post. Owners were supposed to trim the post as needed but most didn't and they looked silly. A seat mounted low to the floor looks pretty cool.


My old '89 Virage with high back seats..
http://i60.tinypic.com/eipbeo.jpg

This is Aaron Douglass Virage "Stealth" with the seats mounted to the floor. I'm in the pass seat. Visibility was actually .....good!!

http://i49.tinypic.com/162312c.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/imm0cm.jpg



My new Virage seats getting built. Just got this picture 1 hour ago from the upholster.









http://i61.tinypic.com/mwcqd0.jpg

[albypine]

Cut all the foam out of it . And please don't tell Ron his high backs belong in a skater :D:leaving:

[vnemous]

Plenty of guys racing Class 7 OPA would love to have them high backs:D

[Aaronhl]

The seats are actually pretty nice and match the boat, comfortable too. BUT they are way too high hahaha if only they were shorter...

[vnemous]

Cut the backs down and recover.

[albypine]

If you want that stage one to run well over 100 and handle like Like its on rails pull the deck, cut all the foam out, do not replace it along with all the wood. Replace with composit , do belly tank , with big azz knees tied to bottom of boat just out side jack plate mounting bolt holes. Buy a 280 and have diamond freshin it up with a 15 inch mid and sporty , bolt a 32 et on it and watch all the feelings you hurt when no one can pass you ;) I am running 12 inch bobs hdy jack plate .

[Aaronhl]

Hey albypine, my new best friend, that is some awesome info

I read in an old post after you take the foam out wood bulkheads are fiberglassed in

Tank under floor in the middle? And I want to make sure all 3 sections drain properly

I am learning the boat slang and seem to be on the right path, now I need a fundraiser

[AlaskaStreamin]

This is what you will see with the floor out.

http://i45.tinypic.com/16lk4g3.jpg

I cut out the inner part of the ski locker and laid in the 6' long tank..

http://i44.tinypic.com/20auxyd.jpg

I made my tank the same height as the fiberglass supports. You can see one of my core inspection holes.
There is only coring in the center V of the hull.

http://i39.tinypic.com/eah5ow.jpg

[Aaronhl]

Very nice work there, glad you posted those pictures. How thick did you make the transom? And how thick will you make the floor?

The design actually works well if you cut the ski locker for water to flow. I really hope I don't have to recore..

Please post more pictures!!!

[albypine]

Once the floor is sealed down you will never get water in that section of boat unless you knock a hole in the bottom . Drain plugs in sponson's and center just encase . After a very long day of being on the water I am lucky if a shot glass full of water comes out the center drain plug and that's only because it's a crap plug that leaks just a little

[Aaronhl]

Any pictures of the transom knees or bulkheads to support the sponsons? Do I even need to support the sponsons once the foam is out?

[AlaskaStreamin]

Hey Alby,....does that "shot glass" of water look and smell like urine? :) At the speeds you are getting..... you know....

I went overkill on my transom. 2 layers of 1 1/8" marine plywood. Alby used Coosa? foam and put bulkheads in his sponsons and they work!!
I decided to core the surface area of the sponsons with 1/4" balsa. My center floor is 1/2" plywood and the outer floor is 3/8" balsa panels glassed on both sides.
Don't ask about balsa vs foam. We all have our preferences and stand firmly behind them. I have my reasons and Alby has his. I am right and he is wrong. He just hasn't admitted it yet. LOL!!!!! :cheers:

http://i62.tinypic.com/w22hab.jpg

I modified my splashwell to add additional strength. My glass guru mentor says I don't need knee braces with this design. May still add some though for piece of mind.

http://i60.tinypic.com/2rcskzc.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/qwwsvk.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/n2ihhf.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/qqdgue.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/14bn7fb.jpg

[albypine]

Ron is from Alaska and we know he is drinking old gold miners piss :D but he is welcome to come ride in my Virage any time ;) sure after one ride with me he will never get in another boat :D my Virage was done lighter then factoy and it loves it . Ron is yet to show me weight tickets fully rigger and ready for water ;) and I am still holding out on true numbers lol . Day a nother Virage gets next to me I hope they bring enough to get up front :)

[albypine]

Love ya Ron and let me know when the termite show up that I sent to u lol

[Aaronhl]

Alby post pics of the insides

[albypine]

Any pictures of the transom knees or bulkheads to support the sponsons? Do I even need to support the sponsons once the foam is out?yes . Ron should have my pictures saved to post or email . I am on a I phone now and have to get a laptop to find em

[Aaronhl]

my email is [email protected] if either of you could be kind enough to send them. Have a lot of research to do over winter

[albypine]

Shoot me a pm with your cell number .

[AlaskaStreamin]

I saved Albys photoshop link to my favorites. It now says the link appears to be broken.
Oh GREAT! I say urine and now I'm CUT OFF!! :icon_bs:

[Aaronhl]

pm sent

[Glastron1987]

Cool. When do I get a ride in it:)

[Aaronhl]

Here are a few more pictures of the Virage. I took the seats out along with some other garbage left in the boat. Let me know what you think!

*****The seats are for sale*****

I am going to start a rebuild thread once I really start removing and inspecting the floor/core.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Aaronhl/image_4.jpeg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Aaronhl/image_3.jpeg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Aaronhl/image_2.jpeg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Aaronhl/image_1.jpeg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Aaronhl/image.jpeg