all you hydrostream guys, i need some input

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

i got a 85 v king. i have seen a few boats with what apears to be a hatch between the splash well and the back seat. the looks like a great thing to add to my boat to gain extra room for fuel and storage. if any one has undergone a project like this, any input, info and especially pics would be great. thanks guys

[Boz]

Love those colors on your boat! Seats look great too!

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

thanks man, i took alot of time redoing it and its nice to here i going in the right direction.

[Jeff "Yammer"]

Ya that color is only as nice as the BruserRed .

I am not so sure that a hatch or anything like it is needed. I know what you mean but when I had my V-king ..... It was a stretch to imagine that you could realy mount the engine that high without it tearing it self off. Not to say you couldn't put an opening there ....... I just wouldn't on a V-king/Valero splashwell.

Looks like a very clean rig though ......... whats your combo and performance so-far.

Jeff

PS ... I miss the fun of tearing up the 4" chop in a V-king ..... everyone who loves HP boating should experience one.

[Scream And Fly]

Nice V-King - years ago I had one with the same color scheme. I believe it was the "Bruiser" color scheme.

Here's a copy from another post I made regarding my rear hatch...

Here is a photo of my rear hatch. My boat was not originally equipped with it, but I have to say I like the boat much more with it. The hatch accomplishes several things at once:

1. Adds more rear storage space
2. Moves rear passenger weight forward
3. In theory, it should allow the boat to handle better at high speeds due to better air management.
4. It just plain looks better!

Progression Boats (http://www.progressionboats.com) is reponsible for my interior. They used the best materials (all composite) and it is the best work I have ever seen. I could not be more pleased.

I'm in New York now, but when I return to Florida I could send you photos of my rear hatch. Basically, it was made strong enough to stand on, although I won't be doing that! It is hinged in the back and I have a stand that can prop the hatch up to ventilate the fuel area, etc.

Greg

[Jeff "Yammer"]

... you mean a rear seat spacer ??? !!! Sorry , ya makes a world of a difference in the handling and weight balence.
I thought you meant a round hatch ( or something ) like you see on some transomes of STV , Mirages etc etc !! HAHA ya the rear seat moving forward 12" will give your boat a much better feel ( esp. with passengers ) and will look alot better too.

JW

[Scream And Fly]

By the way...

Is that a hydraulic jackplate on your V-King? If not, that engine needs to be jacked up higher - much higher!

I think Jeff will agree :)

Greg

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

thanks for the compliments and the advice. that hatch on gregs boat is exactly what im looking for. also, where are you guys running your motors, its a little higher now but im still almost 2 1/2 inchs below the pad. the best run its had is 85 mph with a worn out 25 trophey 4 blade

[Scream And Fly]

That engine needs to come up at least three inches. I would need to know more about the power of the engine and the use of the boat (skiing, cruising, top speed, etc.). Assuming 5-6 inches of setback, get that engine propshaft at least 1/2" above the pad. A Trophy is not the ideal prop for that boat - especially at really high engine heights. If you're running a cleaver or good round ear, you can run the propshaft an inch or higher than the pad.


http://forums.screamandfly.com/Gallery/data/3038/30071.jpg


Greg

[WATERWINGS]

Here are a coulple of kinda dark shots of mine, the hatch is on hinges and sits on top of the speaker box.

It leaves room for the battery, trim pump and a hidden cooler, (out of sight out of cops minds?)

I used to have to pull the fuel tank out to get to the batt and trim pump.

[WATERWINGS]

*

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

the engine is a mild 2.4 200 with some porting and really worked carbs. putting on some higher comppresion heads soon. probably puttng out arouns 230-250.prop im running is a 24 merc big ear chopper. we do alot of cruising, drag racing and some top end.. the reason i had the motor is so low is that im still learning to drive.thanks for all the help

[Jeff "Yammer"]

The boat will be easier to drive with it up in the area that Greg stated ( 1/2" above at least ......... ) , but you can keep it there for now if you wish. You will be amazed at the difference in driving characteristics when the prop is up and out of the water. You may want to look into getting a new ( taller pitch ) prop with the increased height too. ....... that 24 will get into high rpm's fast at the right height ( good for drag 'nn though ) . If your into drag racinn the Yamaha Drag worked flawless on my V-king.

Jeff

PS .. I hope I/we can help in any way possible.

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

the only fear i have of jacking it up that high is the prop blowing out (losing grip), suddenly dropping of the pad and taking a hard right hand turn . is this true or am i wrong??????

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

ttt

[JustMercMe]

I don't think you'll have a problem with blowout with that nose cone your running. I think the majority of guys over this way are running the prop shaft even with the drain plug. Thats how I ran my Vector when I had it and it worked fine. The only problem I had was with a regular CLE case without cone. The regular CLE nose is too short and tends to blowout when trimmed out on the pad. As long as you have a coned lower like a Bob's, Tooters, ETC. You won't have a problem. The V-king is supposed to be alot more forgiving than the Vector so you have a good start for learning the art of driving a Stream. Good Luck. If I can be of any more assitance give me a cal 334.726.4031.

Later,
Itchy

[WATERWINGS]

I've driven both, and the V-King is more forgiving, and just has more manners than the Vector.

...........but I do like the way my Vector feels in smooth water up high on the pad, compared to the V-King.

The Vector is faster with the same amount of power, (or maybe even less power)..........but I have heard both sides argue that point.

[Jeff "Yammer"]

As stated above .... you shouldn't run into a blow out problem , provided you have a decent nose cone one there. You will how ever have blow out if you overtrim the boat ( a symtom when running with an extra passenger in the front with you ) while at high speed. Just take your time and take as long as you need ...... don't worry about the guys goinn faster right now. It will be you soon. Get the gearcase ( propshaft center line )up to about even or 1/2" above the bottom of the pad.
Drive into it slowly and get the feeling of it coming onto the pad. I found that it was more stable above 85mph than it was at 70 ( the boats aerodynamics come into play then ... I think )

Jeff
905-655-8993

PS ... call if you need anything.

[Scream And Fly]

Seeing people help eachother like this is what the forums are all about. You're a class act Jeff.:)

Greg

[Boz]

And he's Canadian!!!:D

[Scream And Fly]

Seriously, I really don't want to see anymore bashing of Canadians, etc. That really makes me sick - I was very dissapointed to see that. That is NOT the kind of community we are.

Greg

[Jeff "Yammer"]

Boz .......... whats this that I read you drink American beer. I think we will have to deport your butt south.

Man I thought you were a level headed guy too ???????????

Jeff:rolleyes:

PS .. thanks for the compliment Greg.............. you are the class act for having such drive to keep this site at its very best.

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP, I HAVE A DECENT IDEA OF HOW TO BUILD THE HATCH, ( STILL WOULS LIKE SOME PICS OF THE HINGES AND THE INSIDE OF GREG, BUT NO HURRY). IM GONNA TAKE THE MOTOR UP TO ALMOST EVEN AND START THERE. THNAKS GUYS AND ILL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES.

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

GREG, YOU GONE HAVE SOME COVERAGE OF RBR 04???? ALSO ID LIKE SOME OF THE SCREAM AND FLY DECALS. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU GOT AND HOW MUCH.....

[Boz]

I wasn't trying to stir the pot; just kidding around.

Jeff, I'm really a CC and coke or Crown and coke guy. I don't drink beer all that much; gives me a headache. Then again, it could be a quantity thing....:D

Bellflower77, good luck with your project!


Boz

[tindell1]

Greg and Jeff are right also. As a rule of thumb I always "aim" the point of my lower unit at the drain hole. A HydroStream is very forgiving esp a V-king. You should not have anything to worry about by picking it on up. I am not saying to jack it on up and try to get everything out of it on your first try just start getting a feel for the boat. It will react a little different each time you adjust the engine height. Good Luck.

Tim

[WATERWINGS]

What was that you said about OVER TRIMMING??

I think I need more sand bags in the front!

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

WE WERE ACTUALLY PLAYING AROUND FOR THE CAMERA..........:D

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

THIS WAS FLAT OUT WHEN I FIRST GOT IT. NEEDS MORE TRIM.

[WATERWINGS]

I was "playing around" for the camera too.........at about 75 MPH

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

YOU ARE A HELL OF ALOT BRAVER THAN I AM, BUT IM SUR YOUVE BEEN DOING THIS A HELL OF ALOT LONGER THAN I HAVE TOO. LOOKS GOOD THOUGH

[BackwoodsMotorsports]

ttt

[msc5195]

Hey Big Shot, I highly reccomend that you go see Willie "BIG EM" Harris located @ 342 Ellis Point Way Bwk, Ga. for all your fiberglass needs. After he has sculpted out and installed you a new rear seat spacer he will then school you in the art of driving fast boats. He is the official South Georgia Expert in BS and Cold Beer. Oh Yea I almost forgot. Pinky tells me that the boat is faster behind that SLOGMC than it is in the water.