Wondering how to post images or maybe change your avatar or maybe something else?
You can find that and a lot of other useful tips for using the forums in the HydrostreamForums Knowledge Base.
To visit the HydrostreamForums Knowledge Base CLICK HERE
You can find that and a lot of other useful tips for using the forums in the HydrostreamForums Knowledge Base.
To visit the HydrostreamForums Knowledge Base CLICK HERE
New project VAMP, need input
-
- The new guy
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Feb 05, 2018 7:41 am
- Location: St. Augustine FL
- Contact:
New project VAMP, need input
I recently traded for an '85 Vamp that at the time I thought only needed a couple soft spots in floor fixed and a motor and seats. As usual I was wrong, transom was completely shot and floor was way worse than anticipated. Someone had done a hack job on it before, both the floor and transom. I'm still in the process of cutting the transom out, the floor is out. It is not too bad other than that (HAHA).
My problem is that I don't really know what to do with the boat. I got it because I always wanted a Hydrostream and this one came up to where it basically was free for me. I'm doing all of the work myself when I get a few extra bucks and some time. I picked up a 1985 Tower of Power 115 at an estate sale for $50 that ran when it was taken off of the Aquasport it was originally on (I knew the owner). My dilemma is that I have dreams of screaming down the river, but reality is, it will be a ski / dinner boat for the family 99% of the time. Will the Mercury survive that kind of use? or will it likely die a quick death? Also, should I make this a beauty queen and do a true restore with new paint and fancy appointments. Or do what I think would be cool and make it a rat rod with the old motor, some junk yard seats, cheap stereo and call it a day for less than $500. A true restoration for me would take upwards of a year, and as much as I think it would be cool, my true feeling is that boats are made to be RUN, not looked at. Another thing, is there anything that I NEED to address while the floor and transom are out?
Any input is appreciated
My problem is that I don't really know what to do with the boat. I got it because I always wanted a Hydrostream and this one came up to where it basically was free for me. I'm doing all of the work myself when I get a few extra bucks and some time. I picked up a 1985 Tower of Power 115 at an estate sale for $50 that ran when it was taken off of the Aquasport it was originally on (I knew the owner). My dilemma is that I have dreams of screaming down the river, but reality is, it will be a ski / dinner boat for the family 99% of the time. Will the Mercury survive that kind of use? or will it likely die a quick death? Also, should I make this a beauty queen and do a true restore with new paint and fancy appointments. Or do what I think would be cool and make it a rat rod with the old motor, some junk yard seats, cheap stereo and call it a day for less than $500. A true restoration for me would take upwards of a year, and as much as I think it would be cool, my true feeling is that boats are made to be RUN, not looked at. Another thing, is there anything that I NEED to address while the floor and transom are out?
Any input is appreciated
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3980
- Joined: Mar 25, 2009 7:31 pm
- Location: Nowthen, MN
- Has thanked: 353 times
- Been thanked: 82 times
- Contact:
Re: New project VAMP, need input
Just so you know, under that floor is the core. Dont forget about that. That is WAY more important then the floor. The core is balsa wood and its only about 1/2 inch thick and on the hull and covered by fiberglass. The issue with these old Hydrostreams is the core eventually rots and the boat can literally delam and come apart on you and if your lucky, you will walk away from it. The core is the main structural point of the whole hull on these. Take a look at some of the restoration, WIP topics and you will see what I'm talking about. I would really hate to see you put a new floor in and not replace the core only to have the boat delam or worse, come apart on you. Plus, once you rebuild it right, it will drive WAY better and easily last another 30+ years.
Oh yeah, welcome to the forums and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask, someone will be more than happy to help.
Oh yeah, welcome to the forums and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask, someone will be more than happy to help.
-Kevin
Project Vulture | Project Vector | Project Vamp | Project Vixen
The Vulture Wish List | Project CobraJet
1977 HydroStream Vulture - Worlds longest ongoing project.
1982 Hydrostream Vector
1982 Hydrostream Vamp
1973 Hydrostream Vixen
1976 CobraJet Jet Boat - Outboard conversion project
1976 Pontoon - aka The Family Truckster
Project Vulture | Project Vector | Project Vamp | Project Vixen
The Vulture Wish List | Project CobraJet
1977 HydroStream Vulture - Worlds longest ongoing project.
1982 Hydrostream Vector
1982 Hydrostream Vamp
1973 Hydrostream Vixen
1976 CobraJet Jet Boat - Outboard conversion project
1976 Pontoon - aka The Family Truckster
-
- The new guy
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Feb 05, 2018 7:41 am
- Location: St. Augustine FL
- Contact:
Re: New project VAMP, need input
Thanks, yeah trust me, i've been reading a ton of rebuilds and getting all sorts of ideas. This site has been invaluable. Just trying to get a direction. The core seems solid, but I will take another good look. I would hate to eventually put a real motor on the back and have it come apart at speed, that could hurt a little.
-
- The new guy
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Feb 05, 2018 7:41 am
- Location: St. Augustine FL
- Contact:
Re: New project VAMP, need input
Curious if anyone may have an idea of speed I can expect out of a 115 tower on a jack plate. Keeping budget in check is the goal so this will be the setup I start with and just wondering what to expect. I'm hoping for 60ish. Is this reasonable?
-
- Hydrostream know it all
- Posts: 512
- Joined: Feb 10, 2012 8:01 pm
- Location: Sitka Alaska / Okanogan,WA
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 158 times
- Contact:
Re: New project VAMP, need input
I don't see that speed being a problem IF the core is sound and the bottom is not warped. Good compression is a must as well.
Once you start jacking up, you will need solid mounts, upgraded steering, a low water pick up, a surfacing prop, and a water pressure gauge.
Once you start jacking up, you will need solid mounts, upgraded steering, a low water pick up, a surfacing prop, and a water pressure gauge.
Ron Pratt
Okanogan, WA
Viper/ 2.5L 200 Merc (SOLD)
1991 "the last" Virage/ 15" 280
2003 9’ Mini Virage/ 15 hp Honda 4-stroke
1989 Voyager/ 300 Promax
1989 HST / 2.5L 200 Merc
http://www.prattcustoms.com
Okanogan, WA
Viper/ 2.5L 200 Merc (SOLD)
1991 "the last" Virage/ 15" 280
2003 9’ Mini Virage/ 15 hp Honda 4-stroke
1989 Voyager/ 300 Promax
1989 HST / 2.5L 200 Merc
http://www.prattcustoms.com
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 327
- Joined: Jul 19, 2016 6:58 pm
- Location: Oshawa, Ontario (near Toronto)
- Has thanked: 45 times
- Been thanked: 72 times
- Contact:
Re: New project VAMP, need input
Don't shortcut on this. Guys will tell you to take a hammer and tap the underside of the hull and listen for sound changes of wet core / dry core. If you don't know exactly what to listen for, then this method is no good.
Get some pics posted up...especially of the hull with the floor out. Dry balsa core is a nice light gold colour. Brown core is rotten. Black core isn't even core anymore, it's soil.
Grab a 2" hole saw, or a Dremel, and cut out a flap of the glass in the pad area a few inches forward of your drain hole. Not too deep - you only need to cut 1/6-1/8th inch into the skin. If the balsa underneath is wet, you have a core job in your future if you wanna save the boat.
Look at pages 3 & 4 of my rebuild thread and you'll see exactly how my core was.
-
- Hydrostream know it all
- Posts: 512
- Joined: Feb 10, 2012 8:01 pm
- Location: Sitka Alaska / Okanogan,WA
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 158 times
- Contact:
Re: New project VAMP, need input
A neat trick is to cut a hole in an old board. I used a 12” long piece of 1”x6”.
Then pull the centering bit out of the hole saw.
Hold the board against the inner hull and start drilling. You will know when you get thru the first skin. The denseness of the fiberglass will soften and it will feel like you are cutting thru a piece of bread.
[ Post made via iPhone ]
Then pull the centering bit out of the hole saw.
Hold the board against the inner hull and start drilling. You will know when you get thru the first skin. The denseness of the fiberglass will soften and it will feel like you are cutting thru a piece of bread.
[ Post made via iPhone ]
Ron Pratt
Okanogan, WA
Viper/ 2.5L 200 Merc (SOLD)
1991 "the last" Virage/ 15" 280
2003 9’ Mini Virage/ 15 hp Honda 4-stroke
1989 Voyager/ 300 Promax
1989 HST / 2.5L 200 Merc
http://www.prattcustoms.com
Okanogan, WA
Viper/ 2.5L 200 Merc (SOLD)
1991 "the last" Virage/ 15" 280
2003 9’ Mini Virage/ 15 hp Honda 4-stroke
1989 Voyager/ 300 Promax
1989 HST / 2.5L 200 Merc
http://www.prattcustoms.com
-
- The new guy
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Feb 05, 2018 7:41 am
- Location: St. Augustine FL
- Contact:
Re: New project VAMP, need input
So, after reading more threads on this sight and S&F, I think I want to actually do it right. Plus, the transom is being such a B!$<H to get out, I feel like if I half a$$ it at this point, my effort there will be wasted. Once I finally get the transom out, on to the core I will be going. Probably going to sell the tower of power too, and look for something much more substantial. BUDGET just went Bye Bye. If I stuck with the tower I would be in the boat on the water for about 1000$ in a couple months. But with the new plans, next year and a LOT more $. Oh well, in the words of Ricky Bobby, "I wanna go fast"
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 327
- Joined: Jul 19, 2016 6:58 pm
- Location: Oshawa, Ontario (near Toronto)
- Has thanked: 45 times
- Been thanked: 72 times
- Contact:
Re: New project VAMP, need input
Good call. Do it right and the boat will be good for another 20+ years.
And should you ever decide to sell it, you'll have a much better chance doing so with new core, stringers, and transom.
Looking forward to seeing your rebuild worklog here.
[ Post made via Android ]
And should you ever decide to sell it, you'll have a much better chance doing so with new core, stringers, and transom.
Looking forward to seeing your rebuild worklog here.
[ Post made via Android ]
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3980
- Joined: Mar 25, 2009 7:31 pm
- Location: Nowthen, MN
- Has thanked: 353 times
- Been thanked: 82 times
- Contact:
Re: New project VAMP, need input
And the best thing about the vamp, believe it or not, it's one of the faster hulls. With the right set up, they will haul some serious you know what. LoL
[ Post made via Samsung Galaxy S5 ]
[ Post made via Samsung Galaxy S5 ]
-Kevin
Project Vulture | Project Vector | Project Vamp | Project Vixen
The Vulture Wish List | Project CobraJet
1977 HydroStream Vulture - Worlds longest ongoing project.
1982 Hydrostream Vector
1982 Hydrostream Vamp
1973 Hydrostream Vixen
1976 CobraJet Jet Boat - Outboard conversion project
1976 Pontoon - aka The Family Truckster
Project Vulture | Project Vector | Project Vamp | Project Vixen
The Vulture Wish List | Project CobraJet
1977 HydroStream Vulture - Worlds longest ongoing project.
1982 Hydrostream Vector
1982 Hydrostream Vamp
1973 Hydrostream Vixen
1976 CobraJet Jet Boat - Outboard conversion project
1976 Pontoon - aka The Family Truckster
-
- Random Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 2Replies
- 4169 Views
- Last post by idvette
Aug 19, 2014 7:46 pm
-
- 3Replies
- 12587 Views
- Last post by Surface Scratcher
Aug 23, 2014 11:43 am
-
- 2Replies
- 3893 Views
- Last post by Surface Scratcher
Aug 27, 2014 5:39 pm
-
- 4Replies
- 5107 Views
- Last post by seecuyer
Aug 27, 2014 7:25 pm
-
- 1Replies
- 4206 Views
- Last post by seecuyer
Aug 27, 2014 6:59 pm
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests