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  1. #1
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    Winter project - Viper Resto

    After what I thought was a pretty thorough pre-purchase inspection, I've found that my boat has suffered the same fate as almost every other surviving hydrostream. I was rigging the new teleflex dual rack and cables and was fishing a cable through the starboard rear when I shifted my weight and heard a 'crack'. I knew right then and there the work to come should I choose to keep it....and I think am up for the challenge.

    Off came the new V6 and misc rigging and I brought the boat home. I found 2 soft spots directly in front of the fuel tank shelves (right on top of the trailer bunks which is why I most likely missed it when checking the bottom) right outside of where the floor is glassed in. So tomorrow I begin my excursion into the wonderful world of itchy and scratchy with some test cuts to see how far the damage has spread. Everything ahead of the seatbox feels and sounds solid but I won't be happy unless I know for sure what the core in the pad area looks like.

    So, I'm going to try and document, as best I can, learn something throughout the process, and hopefully end up with a solid setup come spring and be able to say I did it myself(with help from those more educated than I). I'm not going to split the boat as I want to retain the original rubrail and gel so from what I read of Jeff's (Riverman) resto, I have my work cut out for me.

    Got the boat home this afternoon and removed the interior and carpet and will start with removing the fuel tank shelves followed by some shallow cuts to see where I'm at. Took a few pictures but they're marginal at best......

    I want to give a big thanks to Randy "Rock" for being such a stand-up guy and offering his knowledge, skills, and expertice to a newbie. Without his involvement, I would have most likely never repowered the boat or found the problem with the hull. Thank you sir....


    Never finished the work on the hot foot....

    The spot in question can be seen in the 2nd and 3rd photos pretty easily. In the second, the crack is 8 or so inches behind the port holddown for the seats slightly inboard right up next to the floor. the long white lines above that area are surface only




    Plenty more to come I'm sure.....

    Jeff
    Last edited by Sonik; 10-11-2008 at 12:58 PM.
    1976 Hydrostream Viper - 2.5 EFI
    Resto Thread Here
    2010 Go-Pro Stuff

    "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." -G. K. Chesterton

  2. #2
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    Jeff, those are the first detailed pics I've seen of your Viper. Man, what a beauty!!!

    Judging by the condition of the rest, I'd just go until you find dry core and stop. In your case (smallish area to repair) epoxy should be the chit. I'd remove the floor though, just to ensure the pad core is good. A bunch more work but not much more $$.

    Keep the pics coming! Great photo quality by the way.

  3. #3
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    Well, my suspiscions were true. I limited how much cutting I did today until I get a jig / additional support on the hull. Alot of my would-be questions have been addressed in Rivermans and Oldskiers resto threads so I'll do my best to avoid redundancy. The pictures speak for themselves....

    Hard to believe that something that survived so well externally ended up so poorly internally....


    First test cuts...


    And the result....


    And another section..


    and another..






    End result thus far...


    On a positive note, I did find this......



    More to come......

    Jeff
    1976 Hydrostream Viper - 2.5 EFI
    Resto Thread Here
    2010 Go-Pro Stuff

    "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." -G. K. Chesterton

  4. #4
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    Are you itching yet?

    Seriously, great looking boat and I wish you well with your project. Keep the pics and updates coming.


    I was young and bashful back then.
    Today,...I'd just knock on her door,..hand her the crab dope, and say, "Rub summa this on ya booger. I'll be back day after tomorrow".
    -Bristo

  5. #5
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    Subscribed. Better now than later, at least the gel cote has not been compromised. Looking forward to seeing the progress. Best of luck!
    Quote Originally Posted by mrcrsr View Post
    and you could always add more hp!!
    There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. –Aristotle


    Quinten


    86' Hydrostream Vking YT, 2.4 Bridgeport EFI
    (Rigging and interior in the works)
    88' Hydrostream Voyager, 2.4 200 Merc
    Boat of The Month Feb. 2009
    resto here, http://forums.screamandfly.com/forum...d.php?t=144414
    Dedicated to you Dad, I miss you! 1935-2008

  6. #6
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    Great pics jeff,Now im starting to understand what stuff looks like under there.Ive never been involved with restoring a boat,No one gets into this stuff around here.... cool!Very educational for us rookies!Good luck

  7. #7
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    That's where mine broke up first. I like a little more beef in that area when it's repaired, from the transom foward 4 feet or so.

    That's really not too bad, a lot of these come apart with almost no balsa left, it rots away inside the skin. I agree with Riverman, you might be able to stop at the seat box if the core is still dry, but you'll need to do the whole pad. My boat still has some of the original core.
    Living in the Freedom provided by Bud Conner and his fellow warriors.
    R.I.P. my Heathen Brother






  8. #8
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    Another good reference is the articles by Dan Rickey on the Hydrostream site where he redid his V-King. I know he used expoy (WestSystem) and it turned out great.



    http://www.hydrostream.org/Topic.htm

  9. #9
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    Good luck with it man! I was over at Rock's the other night and saw the soft spots. Good luck and if ya need a hand just holler.

    DIK
    Sunsation 32 Dominator - 496 MAG HOs

    Nothing runs like a Deere when a CAT's on it's ASS!

  10. #10
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    stop jerking around and cut it all and do it better than the factory did.

    Im told you so nice design built like crap



    mine has it too

  11. #11
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    'stream scream

    You've got lots of help and advice available. I'm confident you'll get that winter project "screamin' and flyin'" in the months to come!Keep us posted, and good luck.

  12. #12
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    Could be worse!

    I removed some of the core cover with my bare hands....and the balsa with a whisk broom, all the way from the transom to the bow!




    Yours is pristine compared to almost all the core jobs I've seen here, shouldn't be too bad, plus you've got a GREAT finish already and a great color!
    Last edited by oldskier; 10-11-2008 at 06:40 PM.
    OK, I got down off the porch and ran with the big dogs....kinda sore now....think I'll just lay here in the flowerbed for a while...


    1976 Hydrodyne 18 I-O
    1969 Allison 15R, 1973 Merc 1500 (project)
    1995 Harris toon



  13. #13
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    love that ride guide thingy

  14. #14
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    good luck, keep pulling it out until dry. even when i hit the dry balsa, there were still voids under the balsa and the outside hull. i wish i would have took pics during the removal of old stuff on mine.

    good luck and keep at it.
    1973 Viper - sold
    1978 Viking - sold
    1995 XB02

  15. #15
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    I'd buy some good thick construction poly and tape it on the gunnels to protect that beautiful gel.

    Jeff, consider vacuum bagging the core in place. Piling weight in the boat can distort the hull, especially outside of the stringers. Do a search on venturi vacuum generators, they work great!

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