1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

[fishie]

This is hopefully my winter project.... Wanted some opinions from you guys... To me this thing is a beaut! Lots of history on this boat, googled hydrastream and found that this boat could be fast...FAST! I can pick this one up for $300!!!! One catch... Theirs a softball size hole in the bow of the boat... Seems like an easy fix, new interior and a power system and this classics back in the water... Let me know what you guys think...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

very restorable. yes it is a go fast. check out the transom.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

I know where you found that girl! (just from looking at the pictures)


Looks to be a fun project, and she has nice lines. When she's floating, bring her over to Allatoona where we have some water.

 

[SparrowLake]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

I'm restoring my '77 Viper too.
i have a question was that aluminum diamond plate on the back of the transom original ?
I have the same one, i thought someone just added it in the past.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

really nice lines....


the hole in the hull is nothing......

what kind of power you gonna put on it?

 

[fishie]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

TD- To my relief the transom is rock soild, apparently the deck not so much...but hey, saves me having to demo it!

Joey- LOL, yea not to many boat "graveyards" around here... I'm actually thinking about doing my tests for my mirrocraft up there... You might see my "bumble bee" zippin around.

Sparrow- I got pretty in depth on the history of HydraStream, from a late 60's early 70's brochure, it shows the diamond plate on the back so I'm assuming its OE...

Oops- Don't ya just love the lines!!??! I kinda figured but its good to hear that the holes an easy fix! I'm thinking a Merc somwhere between a 115hp and 175hp. Thats gonna drain my wallet I'm afraid!!

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

Real nice find.

It's a very fast boat once you get it up on the pad it will literally fly.

First off be sure about the transom I've never seen a factory plate on one so I'm more inclined to believe it needs help.

The hull is cored with balsa wood. This is important for to reasons one if that's where the hole is it's going to be a bit more work to repair then your standard boat and two you need to make sure there is no core rot going on.

If you look at the inside you should be able to see the square pattern of the balsa through the glass that's over it.

If it looks black that's rot and you'll need to fix that.

There are some great resto treads including completely recoreing on the scream and fly web forum. There the ones on youtube running a similar hydrostream over 100 mph and on the show marine machines (speed episode).

Is that a dual cable steering?

You'll probably want to put a jack plate and transom mounted water pickup on it too.

My friend has a Viper paint bright orange real cool boat.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

No, the diamond plate is not original. Plating on a transom is usually a band-aid fix for a flexing transom. It may look solid now, but hang a 300 lb. motor on the back and it looks completely different...
- Scott

 

[oops!]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

hey fishie....if that is a cored hull.....as previously said.....there is more to fixing that hole.......

if it is cored you might want to buy a book called

the fiberglass repair manual...by alan h vertasies...(sp?) i boats sells them...there is a lot on cored hulls......

and bud....a big 175 might be just a tad over powered for that boat

see the uscg rules for the calculations for max hp.....

i have heard of some people going over by 20 or so hp....but that would just be wrong

 

[240sx4u]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

Wow, that boat is awesome! Good luck with the project, I can't wait to see the progress.

Evan

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

Actually a 175hp is quite common for that hull, a lot of guys run more.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

Guy by the name of Ronnie Holzmacher runs with with almost 300 hp. Not for the faint of heart, but WOW!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCRg5CHfBUI

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

Yep that's one of the scream and fly guys.

 

[fishie]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

Yea I plan to make this little hull the fastest on my lake... Thats the goal anyway... This winter will be all the build up and more importantly the repairs, and while thats going on I'll have my eyes open for a big outboard. I'm looking at a pretty penny to get one I know, but I love this boat and X-mas is just around the corner... I'll start droppin some hints to the wifey, lol

 

[oops!]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

Actually a 175hp is quite common for that hull, a lot of guys run more.

Guy by the name of Ronnie Holzmacher runs with with almost 300 hp. Not for the faint of heart, but WOW!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCRg5CHfBUI

OH....MY ....GOSH....!!!!

do yall think you can give him one o thoes pfd's with a parachute on the back?

at 300 hp in that......i would think the boat would get pretty stinky in a minit or too

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1976 HydraStream Viper 16'

I drove one of these once upon a time with a 140 E-rude looper on it. Suffice to say, there is a fairly good learning curve to really get into it. I came nowhere near opening it up in the one time I drove it. I got to about 45-50 before it felt just loose enough where I was uncomfortable. I'm sure more helm time would have helped me through that. With more than rated horsepower, this is not a boat you just jump into and run flat out. It is a handful, but the payoff is pretty cool...
- Scott