hydrostream hull damage

[inspectorlance]

I just drove all the way from Seattle to Louisiana for a hydrostream voyager. just got here and I am very dissapointed that the hull seems to have had major damage and repairs.
I guess I need some help in figuring out if this is a real problem or not. It apears that a 24" long by 12 " wide section of the front pad has been repaired. ( mid section ) The repair is not perfectly smooth but the boat does not ride on this section when its on a plane. ?? there has also been some repairs / re enforcement done from the interior at the front section of the floor storage. under the wood slats. This part of the fiborglass job was not done very well. air bubbles and not wetted out properly.
Here are some pictures.
What do the experts think ?
Looks like it hit something big !!!
Lance
206-849-0079 help!!!!!

[Scream And Fly]

Lance,

Without seeing pictures it would be diffiult to determine the severity of the problem. If it was damage caused by delamination (very common with older Hydrostream boats) I would be extremely careful about making a decision on this boat. If the boat simply struck an object, that makes the cause of damage less severe, however, the fact that the repair was not completed properly is another cause for concern. Don't make any quick decisions, and try to post some pictures of the boat here.

Greg

[vector mike]

If you have any fiberglassing experience than you should be able to determine whether it is worth it or not. When I got my Vector it had the whole rear bottom corner repaired. I redid the pad and finished up the glassing of that repair. After removing the rest of the paint I realized that the front had been repaired also. I guess someone had ran it into something. They used filler to smoth out where thay had repaired it. I removed all of that and redid all of the repairs that they did. That way I know that it would be done right. What I'm saying is if you can fix it yourself then get it and redo it if you think it needs it otherwise it's hard to trust what someone else has done not knowing how they did it.

[inspectorlance]

Here are some picts of the damage. The repair on the bottom looks good, wetted out very nice. no filler was used, so there is some minor high and low spots. then it was re enforces in the top side with 2x4s and glassed over this is where they have some air bubbles.

[inspectorlance]

here is one from the side.

[inspectorlance]

this is the work from the top side.

[inspectorlance]

This boat is a 1990 hydrostream voyager with a 200 johnson. we ran it today up to 70 mph gps. with a 27 pitch four blade shooter. the general condition is ok to good. could use some cleaning up, new stearing cables, trim buttons kinds stick.
There are no stress cracks at the transom, there is some soft flooring towards the back of the wooden floor hatch, not too bad iIcan fix that. is $ 8500 a good price for one of these ? if the hull is ok ?
any thig else that comenly goes wrong hith a hydrostreaqm that I should be looking for.
Thanks
Lance
2400 miles from and looking at a boat with a repaired hull. AAAAAHHHHHHH.
206-849-0079

[Scream And Fly]

I spoke with Lance about this boat on the phone today. My opinion is that this boat had serious damage, and the repair work performed on it was a novice attempt at fiberglass work at best. There are so many reasons that this repair is not only faulty, but dangerous.

From what I can see in the pictures, this is what I have surmised:

This is the short version…

Aside from the fact that the outside bottom laminate integrity and construction is extremely questionable at best, the interior “reinforcement” using 2x4 sections of wood is a scary prospect. Not only does this create a fracture point in the bottom of the boat, the fiberglass securing it is some of the messiest work I have ever seen. All of that extra resin that pooled on the top of the repair weakens it greatly. This is all moot, however, since that repair is in itself completely wrong and would need to be completely cut out.

The entire section of the bottom that was “repaired” only made what looked like a serious damage situation much worse. I can only wonder why the owner failed to disclose this damage to Lance, which is fraudulent, in my opinion. I would venture to say that the individual who repaired this boat was not a fiberglass professional, and does not have an understanding of fiberglass lamination and structural characteristics.

This boat is dangerous, and should not used in its current condition.

Greg

[stevek]

Sad to see someone get taken like this.

[KRAAZYBOAT]

I think he said boat was a 1979 with 200 merc. And he wants $3500 for it. I think it is brown matel flake. It needs some work. Dave kraazyboat@aol.com

[Stream 1]

Lance,
Hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like the repair is in the area of the step in the pad. If so, the boat could have serious handling problems depending water conditions, weight, etc.
If purchased you should figure on a complete redo of the repair area both for handling reasons and all the reasons Greg gave.

Jim Contzen
Hydro Stream Boats

[inspectorlance]

Thanks for all the great info. Im sure glad that that Greg called me back so fast. I was about five minutes from buying the boat !!! Go's to show what a boat addiction can do to a guy. This would have been my first real speed boat. I have two other boats in Seattle , but they are for the Puget sound and only do about 20 knots.
I am still in the market for a newer hydrostream voyager in good shape, and I will travel to p/u. Next time I will get pictures of the hull.
well off to Vegas !!!!!
thanks again

[B.Mac]

nice looking lawn statue also.......
I wouldn't ride in that thing @ 20 MPH

$8500 will buy you a nice rig. Take your time and wait for the right rig!!! PS don't spend yer boat money in Vegas!!!!!
Good Luck!!
B.MAC:D

[AlaskaStreamin]

Hey Lance, Man, you're gonna hate hearing this. A buddy that lives up here (S.E. Alaska) (Ketchikan), after not finding a Virage, bought a Voyager in Seattle TWO WEEKS AGO!!!!!!!!!!!! It has a 200 or 225 Evinrude Venom. The windshield is still on it and ,.............Gawd I hate to tell ya,... He paid $8500.00. AAARRRRGGGGGGG!!!!! If you want, shoot him a call and offer to buy it. ( Tell him I'm looking to sell my Virage and move over to a Skater. He bought the Voyager to hold him over till a Virage came up.

BTW, how long did it take to drive to Louisania?? If I find a Skater, I'll have to do a drive like that.

Crap!! I can't find his ##. His E-mail adress is: jaredbright@hotmail.com. I'll e-mail him as well. His Voyager is mint. It's red and white.

[Capt.Insane-o]

I'd offer him 5 grand for it. But you would be better off if it was never repaired. It would be much easier than having to tear out someones half assed attempt and then fixing it right.

[inspectorlance]

Ron
Thanks for the lead. I just sent hin an email. Do you know him personally ? If so maybe you can tease him with your Virage a little for me.
I know the boat that he got. I just missed it by a day or two, and it was just down the road from me !!
The trip from Seattle to Louisiana is 38 hours. I did it in three days. pretty cool trip. Get lots of pictures befor you decide to drive down.
What are you looking to get out of your Virage ?

[AlaskaStreamin]

Lance,
I e-mailed him also. I was going to get $12,000 with a 200.
I'm looking at a 21' Skater for my next boat. I can't believe I misplaced his phone #. Wait a minute, I think is's on my old cell phone. I'll check at lunch time.

[Mark C.]

Wow, good thing you were right on it and able to help, Greg. Lance, you won't regret walking away from that one, especially at that price.

Hey Ron - I'm not familiar with that Hydrostream model "Skater" ;)

[AlaskaStreamin]

Jared left a message on my cell phone late lastnight. He's interested!! Call him!! (907) 317-5667. I'll be calling him this afternoon.

Mark, If this deal goes through and I find a Skater,... can I be a guest boat on your site???? :D :D

[Mark C.]

Ron -

You will always be welcome! I can't thank you enough for all your contributions in the past...you've been great. :)

And I wouldn't blame you one bit for going with a Skater!

[AlaskaStreamin]

Lance,

Just got off the phone with Jared. He hasn't heard from you yet. He has a ton of pictures to send you. He'll send them to me tonight and I'll post here for everyone to see. He'll be going out fishing Sunday(6/22) and will be out of cell range until Thurs (6/26). He wants my Virage and is willing to sell his Voyager. Give him a call. (907) 317-5667.

[AlaskaStreamin]

Lance, Sounds like you and Jared got something working out:D :D !! He called me last night and told me to start getting the Virage cleaned up for him.:eek: Jared said your hotmail account was full so he asked if I would post these pictures. Here ya go:

[AlaskaStreamin]

another:

[AlaskaStreamin]

more:

[AlaskaStreamin]

This bottom looks MUCH better than that other Voyager's

[Wiski]

That boat looks just like my Voyager XT (except that mine is black at the stern, not red), same interior colors too! (hot temp. seats in the summer sun). The snap on covers are nice, and the snap on bow cover is worth 1-2 mph!

FYI on $$ up here in central Wisc...
My boat is a 1990 with a 1995 Merc 200 ProMax with very low hours. Boat is in "Good" condition, but not excellent. It had a $100 trailer when I bought it 2 years ago. I paid $9600 because I had to have it, and since have replaced the trailer, and added hydraulic steering.

A buddy of mine bought a 1990 Voyager XT with a 1990 200 Yamaha. Boat is in excellent conditon, and the engine runs strong. He paid $13000 back in 2000, and I think he got a better deal all things considered.

Another friend bought his 1989 back in 1998 with a 1989 abused 200 merc for around $11000 I think.

I know of two other guys that both have Voyager XT's, but they have owned them since new. Yes, we will have to get all 5 together for a picture some time. We have had 3 on the same lake once, but everyone forgot the cameras!

Here is one on Boattrader.com (don't know how to post links, sorry might not work) that might be over priced.
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/6/4/49684764.htm
Good luck on finding one. Hope your "Alaskan connection" deal works out for everyone. These are great "family" boats, and can do an honest 75 mph with 200hp with the right prop. But that is another can of worms entirely as they are real nose heavy!

[inspectorlance]

Ron thanks for posting the picts. Looks great. I talked to Jared last night, and things are looking good. I will be calling Jared tomarrow. This sounds like a win win for everyone !! I will just need some more picts from jared and to know that you guys have a deal worked out on the virage.

[inspectorlance]

Ok this boat looks great. I am off to Ketchikan tomarrow to check it out., and hopefully ship it back to Seattle. I could have bought two boats for what all these trips are costing me !!! will post more pict when I get back.

[tunnelmike]

Anyone in the area would have been glad to have taken an objective look at the stream for you. It is a shame the damage wasn't disclosed but pics from someone close would have. This might have saved you a ton of money and time.
Sometimes we need someone else's opinion on a boat to help us make a decision. I have been guilty of buying a boat that I wish I had been talked out of. In the heat of the moment we don't always make the right decision. Thankfully with help you did.

Mike

[AlaskaStreamin]

Hey Lance,
Better get ahold of Jared. Last night he backed out of our deal. He was wanting to keep his Voyager now.

Come on over to Sitka (Ketchikan's neighbor) and get this Virage. You WON'T be disapointed!!

What a bummer!!! I had a Skater picked out and now I need to try and find a new owner for my boat. Any one??? Any one???
(907) 738-7473

[inspectorlance]

I got the voyager from Jared. Great guy. Beautiful boat. Had a two day hang over from Ketchikan. OUCH. Got 74 mph on the gps with no jackplate and a 25 pitch bass prop. I have a Bob's 10' hydraulic plate on the way. Im sure I will hit 80 plus in the next few weeks. I just hope that Jared finds a good deal on a Virage after giving up such a great boat.

[ProComp]

That is quite the story! Glad it worked out.

Ron did ya sell the Virage? This is like a soap opera. Inquiry minds want to know.

I agree with Tunnel Mike. It shouldn't be hard to find local people to check out a boat for you through this board. Save you time and money. I've asked others and offered my time as well.

ProEuro

[Jason Huber]

Everyone likes happy endings! ;) ProComp er/Euro - nice avatar!:cool: