2026 Hydrostream HST ?

[FUJIMO]

...let me know when they make a new metalflake 15 viper and a new metalflake 16 ventura 1......

[bigboy]

They're beautiful boats, but unless you wanted it for the nostalgia factor, the Venom is a better boat in every way for "new boat " money. Everyone has their own kink, so I get it.

Did you own both?

[David - WI]

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/06...f?v=1645902802

[VkingMike]

I wonder about the decision process of doing the HST first, instead of a more iconic model.

[John S]

Did you own both?

Never owned either. Rode in/ with, and raced against both. All similar 260/280 powered. Never saw the tail of an HST in my Allison. I'm sure if tight turning is your game, a boat designed for MODVP would be a great option. Anything else, a Venom with same power would dust a HST. Like I said, the HST is a beautiful boat, I take non-issue with it. But for new boat money, the Venom would be a much better boat unless you're using it for roundy racing. As always, opinions vary.

[bigboy]

Okay thanks. I own an HST. It´s a great boat. Never rode in a venom. They look nice though.

[David - WI]

I wonder about the decision process of doing the HST first, instead of a more iconic model.

I suppose it depends on whose idea of "iconic" you start with?

Recently (2012), Howard Pipkorn and Jeff Baker (HydroStream factory employee, designer, driver back in the day) were both asked: of all the HydroStream models, which was their favorite? The answer from both: HST.

[CUDA]

Okay thanks. I own an HST. It´s a great boat. Never rode in a venom. They look nice though.

The Venom is a work of art, from what I remember Jim had ex Allison employees working for him that did the initial mold work,

It has become the most winning Lake Racer drag boat, that speaks Volumes, and they DON'T HOOK

[108]

I wonder about the decision process of doing the HST first, instead of a more iconic model.

It's what they had, and what will float a 550+lb four stroke without too much hassle. The Venom from what I gather is no longer a Hydrostream brand and legally spoken for.

I would expect a Virage next. Come March I'll be back down there and go for a visit.

[Velocity72]

The Venom is being produced by a group of guys connected with Glenn Reynolds in NE Tennessee. I saw two, and the molds at his shop last January. They were headed to the Knoxville TN boat show.

[David - WI]

The Venom is being produced by a group of guys connected with Glenn Reynolds in NE Tennessee. I saw two, and the molds at his shop last January. They were headed to the Knoxville TN boat show.

Is the Venom even related to the actual Hydrosream-designed Venom? It doesn't sound like the original Venoms were really very good boats?

Venom article: https://hydrostream.com/pages/hydrostream-venom

[David]

Two different Venoms and no, the second one did not come from the original Hydrostream company. By all accounts it’s a good design.

For me, the iconic Hydrostream is the VKing, but I don’t know that it’s well suited to the motors we have now.

[mikesufka]

The Viking IS Hydrostream in my world - I was maybe 8-10 years old when I started drooling over one on Lake Alexander in MN. Keith had one, that dark blue "bruiser" color with a 175 Merc - he could drive - I'll never forget it - that was over 40 years ago.

MDS

[David]

I don't know why Hydrostream.org has no information about the Jim Contzen era Venom, or for that matter his update of the Vegas. Before there was SnF there was a Hydrostream site that some of us used to frequent.

[Velocity72]