1989 Hydrodyne Family Skier- core/stringer/floor replacement ideas

**artk** · 11-23-2021, 11:34 AM

The restoration needs of my Hydrodyne Family Skier has surpassed my skill set & gotten more expensive. I've removed a couple of sections of fiberglass to reveal some soggy balsa core. I open to suggestions for shops to contact that have the experience to replace the core/stringers and floor. I'm located in Kansas City & willing to travel.
Thank you.

**JPEROG** · 11-23-2021, 11:41 AM

I have been in your situation many times and this is my advise. Take a serious look at what you could sell the boat for in its current condition and (if you are not attached to it for sentimental reasons), sell it and start over with a boat that is built with proper materials (wood and water don't go together). Nobody realizes what trash balsa core is until they get into the position that you are now.

To have a shop re-core and replace structure, you will almost always exceed what you could by a replacement for. It is a labor intensive job and quality resin materials are up 50% over last years prices which were already high. Finding a boat built with composite materials is not easy but its worth the search.

Joe

**David** · 11-23-2021, 02:11 PM

If you are committed to outboard ski boats (I am) there are few new options. J Craft is building new boats in Ontario. You could get an old J Craft restored for a lot less then a new one. It is discussed almost daily on the J Craft Facebook page

Having said that, the new J Crafts are awesome. They are made for today’s bigger motors and are available with perfect pass.

Dyna-Ski makes outboard ski boats based on the old Hydrodyne. I know nothing about restoring Hydrodynes.

These might be the only outboard ski boats now

Our J Craft is 4 years old. Water skiing is not offshore. It’s balsa will outlive my ski days - I am 63 but plan on 25-30 more years

**JPEROG** · 11-23-2021, 06:23 PM

David,

If your boats core gets wet, its going to be trash. We had a skater that was less then two years old, the deck cleat didn't get epoxied for a seal when it was installed, and water bled down the side and towards the center of the deck (36K repair with paint). Its fine if you don't break the seal but they are all built by humans...

Joe