1975 Vector pad design

[PCS9136]

Hello All,
I have started rebuilding a 1975 Vector and after looking at several other rebuild posts I have noticed that the pad on this boat is different than others I have seen. I have been told that this boat was uniquely built while still in the mold, but I am curious what impact the changes may have on handling.
The pad on this boat has a convex shape. Since Vectors can be tricky to drive with a flat pad does anyone have any thoughts on how a convex pad may handle?
A few other differences on this boat seem to be in the area where the deck meets the transom. There does not appear to have been any provisions for a splash well and the coring used is 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch thick.
Any thoughts or insight would be appreciated.
Should I leave the pad shaped as is, or try to change it?

[David - WI]

[LakeFever]

Wonder if thats more of a ski boat than a speed boat. I cant think of any other reason to add a running surface like that

[transomstand]

It would be physically impossible to do that to that hull while still in the mold. Very honestly, I would find another Vector to rebuild. To put a year of work into that and find out you can't drive it would be a tragedy. The more I look at it, I don't even think it's a Hydrostream. Probably some sort of splash copy.

[LakeFever]

I wondered if it was a splash too. Notice the transom looks like it was layed up with those angled sides too. Weird one

[PCS9136]

The boat has a Hydrostream VIN tag on the passenger side dash and serial number molded into the right rear portion of the hull.
I actually bought the boat about 25 years ago with plans to rebuild it and possibly race it out on the Chain of lakes in IL. But then my Wife and I had kids, and the boat was put on hold. Now that the kids are done with college, I pulled it out of the barn and decided to start working on it.
But I agree my fear is putting a lot of work and money into a boat that would be impossible to drive at speeds over 50 MPH
Plus, I guess the 25 years older me asks not only is it fast, but also is it safe

[transomstand]

Pete DeClare, a former Hydrostream employee did something similar with a Viper. He cut out the pad between the strakes and grafted a hull section from a Vampire to it. He never shared a lot on how the project did after completion, but only said it rode better. He sold it about a year later.

Would love to find out how your Vector came to be like that. It's very heavily modified with the motor well removal and 5 layers of plywood in the transom, along with a similar hull graft. Somebody did a ton of work. A shame it can't be tested in it's current condition. Maybe you got a 125 mph boat there and we don't know it

[PCS9136]

When I picked the boat up I stopped by Baker Marine and talked to Ron and Jeff. Ron Baker had worked at Hydrostream when the boat was made. He said someone had put a lot of work into it but it wasn't him, and he did not know much more on the history of it. I was thinking I would see if I can get it back in shape and give it a try.
It would be nice to know the history of it.

[transomstand]

When I picked the boat up I stopped by Baker Marine and talked to Ron and Jeff. Ron Baker had worked at Hydrostream when the boat was made. He said someone had put a lot of work into it but it wasn't him, and he did not know much more on the history of it. I was thinking I would see if I can get it back in shape and give it a try.
It would be nice to know the history of it.

Did he say the work was done at the plant? If so, there's a couple people I can ask.

[PCS9136]

Yeah, Ron thought it was done at the plant and mentioned someone's name, but I can't recall who he said.
If you could help find some history on the boat that would be great.
You can't help but wonder about a boat's past as your working on sanding and sanding and sanding.

[LakeFever]

Seeing as its not a splash and you know its history i say give er on the resto it may just be awesome! Im not really a fan of the vector pad its too jittery and lots of porpoise because i mostly cruise so its not the hull for me. Your Vectors pad looks interesting though, This is the pad design of an activator which looks very similar in design. Activators are sweet hulls

[transomstand]

Just asked Tiger and he never heard of it, I'm gonna see if I can get a hold of Pete

[PCS9136]

One area that Ron was looking at was the transition from the hull to the deck. He was wondering if the deck was not a Vector deck and had been modified to fit.
I will attach an image to see if it shows.

[PCS9136]

Here is an image of where the deck meets the hull at the transom

[transomstand]

The rail installation does look factory. Not to say it couldn't have been duplicated at a later time but most don't go to the trouble.