1987 Vantage XT fishing Hydro.

[Mklock]

Hey guys, hows the water this year? So long story and I'll try to make it shorter.

I've owned this 87' Vantage for 3 years now powered by the matching motor of a 1987 V200 Blackmax. So realistically this thing has been a tank and with 2 people fully loaded with 42 gallons of gas I can touch 61mph.

It's in fair condition with the normal faded paint but is all intact with no cracks or anything on the outside that alarms me. I picked it up for 1500$ and put another 500$ or so into over 3 years.

After long hours of research I've yet to find anyone who has tackled a Vantage XT full restore. My boat is at the point now to if I start taking it apart I'm fixing it for good and never looking back. Do I sell this old girl to someone else or tackle the project and update all the goodies while I'm at it or buy a 2000+ year bass boat. Im just a little nervous because there is not much info on them.

I only fish on this boat, secondly I like the handle characteristics and would loose that for sure on a newer style boat. It could use a 250hp engine to push it into the 70mph boat that I'd love it to be but I would not have enough cash flow to do a restore and repower this year. If I do rip into it it will be at the end of the boatint season of course.

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[Hydrostream Bot]

Mklock, Welcome to the forum! If you have any questions or anything feel free to ask as I'm sure someone will gladly do their best to help you.

Also, please take the time to visit the Hydrostream Knowledge Base for a ton of great info by CLICKING HERE.

P.S., I am just your friendly Hydrostream Bot.

[Hippie459MN]

Welcome. You don't see our hear about to many Vantage hulls out there. Me being the hydrostream guy I am, I would restore it and run it for another 30+ years. As for you current setup, are you running a jack plate at all, if so how big is it, and are you running a stock lower unit or do you have a nose cone with a low water pick up on it? Having the motor buried in the water can really slow you down. Also, 42 gallons of gas is a lot of weight. Figure 42 gallons of gas is roughly 260 pounds. So between that, a boat full of gear, and a second person, assuming it's an adult, your looking at 400+ pounds. That a lot of added weight. I bet with a fresh core, stringers, floor, and transom, work on the set up with the motor you have, you could get that number up a good bit. And it would drive a whole lot better once it's nice and solid. It also has the same XT hull as the Vegas if I'm not mistaken and with the right set up, it will fly but due to its weight, it needs a lot of set back to really get it to fly.

I will ask around and put the word out and maybe someone with more experience with the Vantage can chime in.

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[Hippie459MN]

Here you go also...

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[Mklock]

Thanks a lot. Yeah It used to have a jackplate setup on it but the ram that controlled it was locked up. I ended up taking it off. In the restore I'd probably end up getting some setback in it, maybe not as extreme as that bottom setup but something like that. I just think that I could make this a 70mph boat with the 200hp I have which would make me happy for awhile.

I just like the fact that every once in awhile theres some guys that are looking over while they have these gorgeous rigs they always comment on wow hydrostream bass boat and that confused look. Almost dumbfounded that it still floats probably lol.

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[Hippie459MN]

Yeah, you don't see too many Vantages around. I think I've seen like 2 or 3 pop up in the last 10 years.

Post some pics!

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[msethsmile+]

Were all the Vantages XT's?

[Hippie459MN]

Were all the Vantages XT's?

From my understanding, they didnt make a whole lot of them. Probably why you dont see too many of them around.