Thinking of picking up Hydrostream Viking

[TreyHydro]

I found a guy with a Viking for sale, 1986 model. Has a 235 evinrude on it but needs work. Something about 2 of the pistons hitting the heads. Comes with a fresh 235 Longblock bored .020 over also and a slew of extra motor parts, 2 lower units, etc.

He is saying boat is solid and just needs paint

This will be a project boat for next season. Any areas I should look at on the hull before I pick it up? Better off selling the Evinrude and running a merc? I'm not into racing, it'll be a family type boat with full interior.

Any help would be appreciated

[TreyHydro]

More pics

[BeefKid]

If it needs a floor most likely needs a core if the glass on the back is to cover up cracks in the corner of the transom and if the transom wasn't done prob needs to be and that is just a quick"repair" but won't fix the transom moving... I'd take a core sample before anything don't want to put your family or yourself in a rotten hydrostream they don't come apart gently lol

[TreyHydro]

how to take a core sample? drill hole in floor?

[BeefKid]

In the bilge area with a hole saw but just through the top layer of fiberglass just so you can see the core don't go through the boat lol

[roadkill636]

Looks to be pretty rotten and cracked and half donkey repaired. Offer $500

[TreyHydro]

Thanks

[TreyHydro]

Cant be that bad huh? I asked him what happened to transom and he hasn't replied yet

[BeefKid]

It can be yeah lol

[stokernick]

a little better than the previous viewed @25,000 gem earlier!

[David]

In the short term, do you want your hobby to be boat restoration or boating? That boat probably needs everything (gel, core, floor, transom) which makes it a poor candidate for restoration. The motor also needs work. You would over pay if you got it for free, but it could provide a hobby.

[Quinten]

I am in line with the general consensus. I have had three 80 something Hydrostreams, so far, none have been solid. That is all.

[TreyHydro]

Thanks for the replies. I've made my decision!

[Da Bull]

Don`t know what your decision is but there have been many HydroStream rebuild threads on this site. These people were driven by their passion and when finished they had their dream boat and knew exactly how it was built because they did it themselves.
That old cross flow OMC was a good motor just a little thirsty. The piston kissing the head is the result of someone not informed on cross flows. Can`t cut the heads on those. If the piston`s are not hurt then a simple swap back to stock heads is the thing to do.

DB

[Quinten]

My post may have been a little vague, just to be clear, I will probably buy a 4th one at some point. I just know what I'm getting into. Hydrostream fans are a little crazy, gotta be.