Help with a 81 Hydrostream Viking with 81 175hp mercury

[Jsteve29]

I just purchased 81 Hydrostream Viking with 81 175hp mercury and would like some advice since this is my first outboard boat. I am buying the boat from the orignal owner and the boat is stock except for having the floor replaced, the cables changed, some brand of nose cone, a hydraulic jack plate (don't know the set back yet) and some aluminum prop of unkown dimensions at this time. I will primarily drive this boat with my wife and we like to go fast safely, so I would like some recommedations on a prop that will not see skiers, but could have four people in the boat at one time.


I have not yet drove the boat but the current owner talks about a lot of steering input to correct the boat at speed. Should I look into solid engine mounts? What else can I do to the boat to make it more user friendly.

I also would like to do some engine modifications and I was wondering what I should inspect first for wear and what order the modifications should be done in. I would like to do small things like compression, reeds and maybe some exhaust modifications.

Finally what do think the boat should run speed wise with a good all around prop.



Thanks in advance,

Jim Stevens

[Scream And Fly]

Hi Jim, welcome to Scream And Fly.

Your boat sounds like a great performance package, but be careful - it has the potential to go 80+ mph and you should proceed very carefully and learn how to handle the boat. First, check over the equipment:


Engine mounts: Must be solid mounts, and make sure none are broken. Check the lower mounts on the midsection by removing the plastic cover plates on the side (two screws on the side). Make sure no bolts are broken. If you have the stock rubber mounts, all must be changed, not just the lower mounts. Don't worry, it's not hard and anyone can do it. If you need to do it, just ask here.
Steering: Must be at least dual cable. Check to make sure the outer cable casing is not damaged, especially where it exits the boat. Make sure there is almost no play in the steering, and it operates easily and smoothly. If not, you must replace the cables. Make sure the boat has a foot throttle that works and snaps back when you remove your foot.
Lower unit: Double check the lower unit for any cracks, welds, or other damage. Never run a lower unit that has been welded on. Change the lower unit oil and check for water in the oil.
Propeller: Get rid of the stock propeller and pick up a nice, used large-ear Chopper. For that boat, a 26 should be fine.
Check all of your gauges, and it might be smart to do at least a compression test on the engine. A leakdown test (http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/montana/513/id44.htm) would be even better. Before you modify the engine, it must be in very good condition.
Finally, take your time and learn the boat. Do this before you start modifying the engine. You'll find that 175 horsepower is a lot of power for that boat.
Greg

[MarkHP]

Welcome to S&F. Greg has given some good advice, but he left out two important items (supprised you forgot Greg ;) ) Alway were a lifejacket and make sure that you have a working kill switch and landyard AND USE IT !


Take your time to learn the boat, don't expect to go 80 MPH for a while as it takes time to tame a paded V. Above all have fun and be safe. :)

[transomstand]

1 - Check the core

2 - Check the core

3 - Check the core

Then do as advised above and have some fun.

[transomstand]

One more bit of advice, add your location. Most likely you'll find other members near by that you could get together with. You'll learn faster and make fewer mistakes than trying to learn all this on your own.

Pete

[Jsteve29]

Engine mounts: Must be solid mounts, and make sure none are broken. Check the lower mounts on the midsection by removing the plastic cover plates on the side (two screws on the side). Make sure no bolts are broken. If you have the stock rubber mounts, all must be changed, not just the lower mounts. Don't worry, it's not hard and anyone can do it. If you need to do it, just ask here.

Any advice on brand and where to buy?

Steering: Must be at least dual cable. Check to make sure the outer cable casing is not damaged, especially where it exits the boat. Make sure there is almost no play in the steering, and it operates easily and smoothly. If not, you must replace the cables. Make sure the boat has a foot throttle that works and snaps back when you remove your foot.


Newer teleflex steering but it has a hand throttle. Again, any advice on brand of foot throttle?

Lower unit: Double check the lower unit for any cracks, welds, or other damage. Never run a lower unit that has been welded on. Change the lower unit oil and check for water in the oil.

I plan on changing the oil but we checked it anyway and no water was found. What brand of oil do you guys run?

Propeller: Get rid of the stock propeller and pick up a nice, used large-ear Chopper. For that boat, a 26 should be fine.

Thanks


Check all of your gauges, and it might be smart to do at least a compression test on the engine. A leakdown test (http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/montana/513/id44.htm) would be even better. Before you modify the engine, it must be in very good condition.


128 psi cold, plus or minus two on all cylinders

Finally, take your time and learn the boat. Do this before you start modifying the engine. You'll find that 175 horsepower is a lot of power for that boat.


Yeah I just got to drive it, its plenty fast.

[Jsteve29]

I checked the boat out well with a friend who has a hydrostream now and it is in great condition and it had the floor replaced about four years ago at a boat shop. Thanks again for all the advice.


Look for me on Belleville lake in Michigan.

[action20]

Bobsmachine.com

you can get solid mounts for 75.00 and a hot foot foot throttle for 75.25.

i used to run penzoil fully synthetic in my 2.5 merc. I now run yamah lube in the yamaha. its stock for now and only spinning 5300-5800. others may tell you diffrent on oil but I never had a problem with this stuff.

good luck ! it should be fun !

[action20]

Hi,

i just re read your post. Lower unit oil- i have always used the mercury high performance stuff. again it seems everone has an opinion on oil but thats my preference. you can get it at almost any mercury dealer.