Hydrostream 18" Viking proping

[jamsteel]

I am putting together a 1979 Hydrostream 18' viking, it has a Land and Sea hydraulic jack plate all in good working condition. I am putting a 1987 Merc 150 XR2 on it with 170 hours of running time. I am putting solid mounts in it and a set of Chris Carson's 265 R reeds in it, otherwise all stock. I am looking for a starting point for propping, sounds like a chopper is the way to go ? Also prop shaft height in conjunction with the bottom of the v pad, Also thinking about a lower water pickup. Any suggestions appreciated.

[rock]

Welcome to the site. Great boats and they run well. Before anything else confirm the integrity of the hull. Some of them were not built real well and have come apart at speed for a few members here. Not a pretty site usually. I would probably start with a 24 chopper as high as you can get it and still maintain good water pressure. Make sure steering is tight and prepare yourself for the torque unless you have hydraulic. Would not worry about cone till you approach 80 mph. Have fun and be safe.

Rock

[LakeFever]

^ agree on all. I love my 24 chopper but you could try some others if your looking to stock up a 23 tempest, maybe a 25? A 26 small ear chopper would also be good if you could find one. You could try a 26 big ear, maybe. If you want to lay out some bigger dough a Yamaha 24 drag or a lightning et 24 wow that would rock. Have fun but to echo CHECK the core and hull health first, always

[jamsteel]

What is the easiest way to check the integrity of the hull ? The transom feels good no flexing or indication of water of soft spots. Need all the help I can get !!! Thanks

[David]

XR2 was a 2:1 gearcase motor. If it was mine I would send it to Bob’s for a nosecone and look for a 28-30” prop. ET, drag 3, SRX, small ear chopper…

[LakeFever]

Start with inspecting in the bilge area. Take a pic and post it if you can. Often have to remove the gas tank to see in there but it’s well worth it. Transom quick check with a hammer tapping all over it and make sure it bounces good and rings good. No hollow sounding thuds. Thuds bad

if it’s black in the bilge area probe with a screw driver it’s almost certainly going to be soft and soggy. Your looking for clean bright finished wood sort of like a gym floor.

[roadkill636]

My EXACT boat and mota for 3 years
79 Viking with a 150 Carson reeds mounts and setup

[jamsteel]

What kind of performance did you get out of it ? What did you run for a prop ?

[tnelsmn]

Like others have said, make sure the hull is good. I'll add to what Rock said, and state that they were all build like sh*t. If there's not proof the hull has been re cored assume it needs to be.

With that said, I have the same boat and similar motor combo. Original engine was a 1978 175. My best was 70.7mph, but I'm assuming my motor has many hundred hours on it. Get a cone on that lower so you can get the engine up higher. My best was centerline of the prop shaft even with the pad. Running a 26p big ear chopper. Depending on what you can find a big ear chopper, ET, Mazco RE, SRX would be good selections to try. I would guess 24-28 pitch for top speed. My motor didn't have the power to turn a 30. The new motor sure does though. Current best prop is a 30ET.

I found a '98 225ProMax and swapped that on. Current best is 94.7mph.