Man Down! Operation DanO

[FlowMaxx]

Many of you may know Dan Oliver. He is a good friend of ours and a valued member of the HydroStream community. On August 15, there was a fire in DanO's shop and all of his beloved HydroStreams were inside and were a complete loss. Among the list is his absolutely mint 77 Vulture along with his Panther, Mini-VooDoo, Venus and Vasserette. In addition, he lost several vintage muscle cars along with all of his other collectibles, parts, tools and memories.

To make matters worse, it sounds like none of it is going to be insured. We do not know all of the facts and we are not looking for any criticism of the situation. What we do know is that he is our friend and what's done is done. It is a very sad and unfortunate occurrence and our friend DanO is grieving his losses. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the fire, but a S & F friend more-or-less lost his entire life's work in this unfortunate situation.

DanO travels for work and does not have a regular home, because he is gone so much. He spends the summers at his shop and in his camper near the Mississippi. Dan is personally responsible for our group getting to meet Howard Pipkorn, which fulfilled a life-long dream for many of us. DanO is a genuine guy that has helped may others and now we need to help him.

DanO did have a couple cars and boats that were parked outside and not near the fire. They survived, but they are not mint, like prized examples that were lost inside the building. Outside, was a Vamp that was a work in progress and had the core/floor/transom done a few years ago by the late Brian Carhart from Carhart Glass.

Several of us discussed it and agreed we should get that boat down to our area in order to help DanO get back on the water in respectable fashion. Scotty (bruzercomp81) Janna, and I went and picked up the blue Vamp for "safe keeping" and we plan on making sure DanO doesn’t miss a season of boating. With him being all over the country, he cannot even adequately deal with what happened. We plan on fixing up this boat for him and the goal is not make it a show queen but something nice & reliable that he can use, enjoy and hopefully be proud of. We have already received an outpouring of help and donated parts and are assembling a list of labor volunteers. Below is a list of parts that we need to complete the project and are hopeful that some of you may sympathize with DanO and offer up and spare parts, from the list,that you may not need anymore. We will also accept paypal donations for those willing to chip in. In either case, we all know how the S & F community steps up to help their people.

The boat basically needs a full restoration, other than the core/floor/transom which are presumed to be good because they were recently completed. The boat needs to be fully sanded since there was a prior attempt at re-gelcoating the boat that did not turn out. The top cap will be painted or wrapped, the boat will get new interior, gauges, and accessories.

We plan to post progress pics on here so all can see what we are doing. Several of us have not posted on here in a while and hope that this brings some positivity to the community and brings people together for a good cause. DanO doesn't get on this site real often and this may end up being a total surprise. Perhaps he does find out about it, but that is ok too because we are sure he could use something good in his life and something to look forward to.

Thanks in advance for all of your support. A paypal acccount has been setup to accept donations. Please send to Dans77Vamp@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your name and any contact information. We are keeping track of everything as a group and do plan on letting Dan know who all helped as I am sure he will be grateful and will want to thank you. You can also PM me or Schramer if you have any questions.


The initial list:

Jackplate

Dual Cable Rotary Steering

Hotfoot

Keyswitch harness

Fuel pump (Holley Red)

Trailer rims/tires - 5 lug

Tie up Ropes

Bumpers

Boat Cover

Motor cover

Cleats - 2 (2 hole) 2 (4 hole)

Chrome bilge vents - 2

Battery switch

External Trim pump

Transom eyes (2)

Paint Materials

Anchor

misc supplies

[FlowMaxx]

DanO's Shop

[FlowMaxx]

Here is the Vamp. It is going to be a fun project, for a number of people that want to help DanO. The extra sweet thing here is that at one of the 3 HydroStream Power Tours that we had, Pip explained to the group that the Vamp was his personal favorite ski boat. Pip put his personal touch on this project by saying those words and being the creator of the boat in the first place.

The Vamp, getting loaded up and on it's way to Schramers:

[DangerNewb]

I have a fuel pump for a carb motor (low pressure) I'd be happy to send. Not sure of brand, but it pumps fine with good volume. I'd be happy to help out with a few bumpers and lines also. Let me know if interested in the pump and I can take a closer look at it and offer more details. Sorry for his loss.

[FlowMaxx]

I have a fuel pump for a carb motor (low pressure) I'd be happy to send. Not sure of brand, but it pumps fine with good volume. I'd be happy to help out with a few bumpers and lines also. Let me know if interested in the pump and I can take a closer look at it and offer more details. Sorry for his loss.

Sounds great and thanks. Low pressure pump will be needed.

[DangerNewb]

Sounds great and thanks. Low pressure pump will be needed.

I also took a steering system off a boat that may be some help. Guessing it's "dual cable rotary". Two sleeved cables attached to a helm. It had a lot of play in it and I wanted to switch to hydraulic so I removed it from a boat I bought. Not sure if its of any use and I may not have taken it apart appropriately. I just kept disassembling until I got it off the boat. If you think it may useful, I can package and send it. But it had a lot of play so it would need some repair or adjustment of some sort at a minimum. Let me know if you think it's worth sending.

[FlowMaxx]

I also took a steering system off a boat that may be some help. Guessing it's "dual cable rotary". Two sleeved cables attached to a helm. It had a lot of play in it and I wanted to switch to hydraulic so I removed it from a boat I bought. Not sure if its of any use and I may not have taken it apart appropriately. I just kept disassembling until I got it off the boat. If you think it may useful, I can package and send it. But it had a lot of play so it would need some repair or adjustment of some sort at a minimum. Let me know if you think it's worth sending.

The common version is dual rack which most HydroStream boats came with. The Vamp, being a bowrider does not have enough room to clear a rack type system. The rotary had flexible cable ends with teeth that wraps around in a circle with the rotary helm. It takes up less room under the helm and is the only one suitable for this application. Need dual cable for added safety. Thanks for the reply and if it is a rotary, we would surely take it. If we do end up with extra parts, that is fine too. Dan has other projects he needs to complete too. He lost all of his spare parts in the fire. I am sure he had 3 of everything we need here

[DangerNewb]

The common version is dual rack which most HydroStream boats came with. The Vamp, being a bowrider does not have enough room to clear a rack type system. The rotary had flexible cable ends with teeth that wraps around in a circle with the rotary helm. It takes up less room under the helm and is the only one suitable for this application. Need dual cable for added safety. Thanks for the reply and if it is a rotary, we would surely take it. If we do end up with extra parts, that is fine too. Dan has other projects he needs to complete too. He lost all of his spare parts in the fire. I am sure he had 3 of everything we need here

That sounds like what I have. Flexible cables wound into the helm. I may have botched it getting it apart but I'll round up everything I have and send it. I was going to toss it anyhow so no loss other than shipping if no good to you guys

[Speed Jr.]

I have an extra Holly red pump and a brand new CNC Vance anodized black hot foot. It's yours.


Jr.

[FlowMaxx]

Awesome! Thanks Larry! I am sure we can work out the logistics. Would be good to see you and the Mrs. soon

[FlowMaxx]

That sounds like what I have. Flexible cables wound into the helm. I may have botched it getting it apart but I'll round up everything I have and send it. I was going to toss it anyhow so no loss other than shipping if no good to you guys

Excellent. Several guys working on this project are familar with the rotary steering. I am sure we can figure it out and make use of it. Thanks much!!

[moatorbotin]

I have transom eyes and bumpers, I’ll double check the list against a boat I’m tearing apart and will report back.

[moatorbotin]

I also have a small mushroom anchor.

[FlowMaxx]

I have transom eyes and bumpers, I’ll double check the list against a boat I’m tearing apart and will report back.

Thanks! let us know.

[rgsauger]

Not much but I'very got an extra battery switch that I will gladly send to help the effort