Questions, first couple times out in my HS Viking.

[Captaincj]

So first 4 times out in my new to me 79 Viking and have a few questions for the experts.

It's 79 Viking V-bottom, has been re-cored, boat in good shape. Motor is a 450lb 87-91 Evinrude 200hp that's been bored to 3.0L, Baker heads and lots of porting (87 power head, 91 mid).

Boat was new to me last fall, this spring was 1st time in the water. Just before I went to use it discovered the lower internals were worn pretty badly, so I ordered a new SEI aftermarket lower (time will tell if that was good or bad, so far works great). As it was already well into boating season, the lower requires a very tender break-in procedure and I didn't REALLY know the condition of my powerhead (only ran it briefly on the trailer), I elected not to install my new Bob's nosecone yet. Don't judge! Wanted to get it wet! And like I said, wasn't 100% sure the powerhead was good and the break-in wouldn't let me go fast anyway...

First 3 times were with the kids going slow to moderate, still below any chine-walk speeds.

Finally got it out by myself, running a 28 Trophy Plus 4-blade. Have to run the engine deeper than I like due to not having low water pick-up yet. This is my first padded V, have only had tunnels before.

I raised the motor until I see fluctuating water pressure, then drop it until steady. Chine-walk seems to start at about 60-65GPS. After a short time I could cruise very steadily at 70GPS with the chine-walk zeroed out. Touched 75mph once, but being my first time on pad with V I didn't want to push it and it felt less stable. Gonna build VERY slowly above 65-70mph. Probably need to start worrying about blow-out above 75 with my stock lower anyways I've been told. Opinions?

Powerhead, thank God, runs great, sounds awesome! Gonna use my 26 Trophy Plus next time out probably. The 28 cruises at about 60 at 4200rpm (might have been 65, can't remember).

I've read a lot about Vikings not liking 450lb V6s, mine has 5.5 inches of setback. So far I was reasonably impressed with it's stability, but I'm no expert. What should I be watch for on this subject?

Chine-walk... This is new to me, but read about how to control it and started out not very good and within an hour had it steady at 70 with the lower burried 3" below the pad (no low water yet). Much more learning of course! And I will build much more slowly from here. Question, will the chine-walk become much less pronounced when I get my Bob's cone on and the motor raise to level with the pad?

Last question... I unexpectedly kite'd the bow! Never did that once in my HST or my Skater! But, at 60GPS but into a 10mph direct headwind cruising she popped up on me! Came up suddenly about 12 inches. I didn't feel like I was even air'd out much at all! Lesson F'ing learned!

This really gives me pause to go much faster! Obviously Viking and Vector guys deal with this all the time and keep it under control... So my questions are, how perilous was this for me (60+10 headwind)?

Also, is there anything about my set-up, prop, engine, lower, etc that made me kite the bow at 60-70? Or was I just a dumbass with the trim?!?

Thanks guys, I except all forms of constructive criticism...

Oh, and the boat was a damn blast, can't wait to get my nosecone on!

[nitro_rat]

Sounds like you’re on the right track...

On my Varmint (Vector bottom) I can kite the bow at will with excessive trim. A sudden gust on open water will definitely make it flighty! I try not to run into the wind at speed. I usually cruise with the trim tucked all the way in when lake running with passengers. Still plenty fast and keeps the white knuckle moments to a minimum. I do run a coned lower, I have a hydraulic plate and you can definitely feel the lower push the nose down when you bury the plate while running. I’ve never run it without the cone. I usually run pretty high with a 24 large ear chopper. Good hole shot and decent top end.

I know there was some talk about people not feeling comfortable surfacing or coning a SEI years back but I haven’t heard of any failures either. My ‘79 175 is still running its original lower (coned by Bob’s back in the day) with no problems so far. It’s an early “preload” unit that people “aren’t comfortable” surfacing either. It’s basically been surfaced its whole life...

BTW, my fastest trim setting is just barely up at all, 2 or 3 quick bumps up guve me all I need. Anything more is just for showing off!

[Captaincj]

Is that 2-3 bumps up from level or from all the way down?

[nitro_rat]

2-3 bumps from all the way down, that gets me to level. I could probably use some wedges for a little more negative trim. She gets out of the hole just fine as is though!

[Captaincj]

Not too many helpers today?

[rock]

One of my all time favorite hulls. Might want to look for a smaller jack. Most Streams like the motor close to the transom. You have a lot of weight hangin there. The higher you can run the motor the easier it is to drive. Run the boat as level as you can. They like some trim but sounds like you have enough power that with the correct prop you can get the boat to lift without a lot of positive trim. Most important is take your time learnin. You will get a feel for it that becomes natural in time.

Hard to imagine kiting at 60. I think you will blow out way before you blow over. I would suggest trying as many different props as you can. I have known guys to love cleavers, I hate em, and I have heard guys say "don't run choppers", I love em. My point is everyone likes or feels comfortable with different feels. Try em all and find what you feel the most comfortable at. It's amazing how a different style prop affects a Stream. Beautiful boat. Be careful and have fun.

Rock

[nitro_rat]

My hydraulic jack has less than 2” of setback. A Bob’s convertible at 2.5” angled in for more “tuck” would be my next choice.

[Captaincj]

Thanks Rock. It was a solid 10mph headwind and variable intensity. I know it wasn't water or throttle induced as the water was nice 6" chop and I was cruising at a steady 60-65 into the wind. Then she popped up suddenly 12" inches and came down when I let off the throttle...

Just not sure how serious or common it is to have the bow pop up like that...

I'm definitely gonna run it flatter.

[Captaincj]

What are the main "bad manners" I should be watching for with my heavy-motor and 5.5 inches of set-back?

So far I like the way it handles and rides, other than the lack of a low-water pickup.

[XstreamVking]

I have ran a 3.0 merc opti on mine and it was no problem. 505#'s, 5'' setback hyd plate. V-Kings are not afraid of a big motor.You are doing fine, as long as you keep your finger off the trigger. (trim button)....Run it flat...Do it in steps, most important thing is to retain control as you gain speed.

[Captaincj]

I knew you would chime in eventually Xtreme!

My only complaint about the motor weight is it definitely doesn't like coming off plane without some horsepower intervention to keep the wake from coming in...

Have you ever had the bow come up at 70mph (aerodynamic speed with the headwind)?

[nitro_rat]

My only complaint about the motor weight is it definitely doesn't like coming off plane without some horsepower intervention to keep the wake from coming in...

All ‘Streams have this problem, not just with big motors. You’ll learn to come down slowly and give a little throttle right before the wake comes over. In time you’ll be able to do it without looking.


Have you ever had the bow come up at 70mph (aerodynamic speed with the headwind)?

Yes a sudden gust will push the bow up if you’re excessively trimmed!

[Captaincj]

Thanks Nitro...

Can't wait to get out again.

[Li'l Toy]

You should be able to run much higher than you are even without a nosecone. Back in pre nosecone OPC days motors were run with the propshaft even with the bottom of the pad or even higher--block the top few holes on the water intake, and water will sheet from the bullet back along the side of the lower unit and into the lower holes. Though I did see that you went up until you lost pressure--not sue why that low.

[Captaincj]

This lower has the square shaped intake at the top of the bullet, not the tower of holes. Which is good. I possibly could have gone higher, I wasn't positive how high I could push it so I just went up until I saw the pressure gauge start to bobble a little and then back down.

[BayouRat454]

I had a V-king with a 89 225 looper, with a 4" manuel jackplate, running the propshaft even with the pad. I was running a DAH 27 srx propeller with duel cable steering, and low water pick up. Boat ran 89-91 depending on water conditions and drove great! Was a fun boat.