Howard Pipkorn, the creator of HydroStream, one of the most recognizable and legendary series of performance boats, has passed away.
Pipkorn began HydoStream back in 1968 to produce high-performance race boats with design attributes that would become the genesis of his line of ultra-high performance outboard-powered hulls. He took a different approach to design, eschewing contemporary trends of hard angles and flat surfaces to experiment with sweeping, complex concave forms that were as revolutionary as they were beautiful.
Howard Pipkorn and his wife Susan at the HydroStream Power Tour in his Virage. Image: Janna Knueppel |
What separated Pipkorn’s designs from many other performance boats of the day was the functionality of his form-meets-function design philosophy that was represented in nearly every aspect of all HydroStream models. That timeless, curvaceous and futuristic design that embodies the deck designs of the classic HydroStream models is equally matched by the flowing lines of the bottom, creating an overall picture of a boat that is simply beautiful and sexy, while the famous HydroStream ‘hooked beak’ gives a slightly sinister look.
Mark and Janna Knueppel's HydroStream Viking/V-King demonstrates the unmistakable silhouette of Pipkorn's design. |
In capable hands, Howard’s designs were world-beating record-breakers. Today, 100-MPH boats are not rare, but in the 1970s and 1980s, it was a much different story. 80-MPH was considered very fast for an outboard-powered boat, and 100-MPH was analogous to breaking the sound barrier. So you can imagine the impression that that Wayne Weeks made on performance boat enthusiasts when he would exceed 110-MPH in his HydroStream Vector in 1978! The Vector was one of Pipkorn’s earliest designs, and this was not some one-off race boat - it was a model you could buy at your local dealership.
From the very beginning, HydroStream boats demonstrated incredible performance capabilities and became the choice for top racers. Over 40 years later Pipkorn's designs are still modern in performance and style. |
Right up until HydroStream closed its doors in 1991, Howard Pipkorn would continue with innovations in hull design, creating the now-legendary YT, XT, and ZT tunnel hull designs that were (and still are) unlike any other tunnel boat design created. These hulls were all fantastic performers, and demonstrated HydroStream's design mastery with multiple disciplines of boat hull design. They were all uniquely HydroStream in both performance and visual excitement.
At the HydroStream Power Tour in 2017, you can imagine just how incredible it was for me to see Howard Pipkorn arrive at the beach, behind the wheel of a HydroStream Virage, which was one of his last and most stunning designs. Howard Pipkorn was not just the creator of the boats we love, but he was one of us. We sat down with Howard later that night and listened to his recollections of specific design decisions for HydroStream models in complete amazement. He knew the specifics of every detail to questions we asked about differences in his boat models. It was a fascinating experience, and that is an understatement!
The Power Tour was an experience unique in my life, and I am forever grateful for experiencing it.
Pipkorn continually experimented to refine hull designs. Pictured is the radical HydroStream V-Wing being piloted by Chris Bush in 1981. Image: Fred Cotey |
There are many incredible performance boat designs available today, and it would be very difficult to determine the impact that Howard Pipkorn and HydroStream made in shaping the industry. There is little doubt that it was, and still is far-reaching. The man gave us all a gift that will continue to create excitement for generations to come. He created performance boats that can hold their own against the most modern designs today. And on top of that, he created a community of owners and enthusiasts that I consider my family. I also cannot overstate the gratitude I have for the HydroStream Owner's Group, Inc., for bringing us all together.
And it also has to be stated that Scream And Fly would also not exist had it not been for Howard Pipkorn.
Rest In Peace, friend.
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