1977 Apricot Viper

[427man]

Hey Mark -

Your rig looks nice. To me, the only thing better looking than a tower of power is two of them. Yes, the V6 motors make way more power, but style counts and nothing has more style than a HydroStream with an inline 6.

The 150 long shaft motor is going on my 17' Baja. Bowrider. I will be using a jack plate, but the prop will be in the water 99% of the time. I may switch to a swept gearcase like yours as it worth a few extra MPH. I was lucky to end up with three nice louvered cowls. They are out there, but not easy to find. I do have the parts to run power trim on all three motors.

I grew up with OMCs and I still have a small Evinrude. As a kid in the late 60s/early 70s, I always thought the towers were the ultimate outboard. It wasn't until a few years ago that I decided to finally get my own. I had to sell off a couple of bikes but I can do a lot more with the kids in the boats than I can with the motorcycles. I have not run any of them yet, I'm hoping 2017 will be a big year for running these motors.

[83VKING]

Awesome, I agree they do have alot of style and look great on streams. i will keep looking for some louvered cowls i will be very excited if i ever find one. i use power trim so much. when i got my v king the power trim motor was seized and the hydraulic lines were all coming apart. luckily i was able to find a company (ARCO) in FL that makes the part and found most of the parts on line.

My Uncle has an 1980 115 inline on a cvx 16 and i can feel the that tower of power for sure, cant wait to see what it does on the stream even if the prop is in the water.

I was thinking of running a Laser II stainless. i heard it has great blow lift. What prop do you recommend or find you really like?

-Mark

[427man]

Hey Mark -

I am a FNG (Freakin New Guy) when it comes to this. I have yet to run any of the motors on either the Baja or Viper so I have no actual experience to reference. But I have made myself a pest around people who do have lots of experience and taken their advice. I have collected a variety of props based on what I've learned from them. I have 24, 26 and 28 small ear choppers and 22, 24 and 26 Laser IIs to try. The choppers will be for the Viper primarily as that short shaft motor on the transom will let the prop break the surface. The Laser IIs will probably work best on the Baja, but since it will have a jack plate and I can raise the motor I'll see how a chopper runs on it too.

A Laser II is a good place to start. If you are looking for one, look up the XSKid1 on S&F. That's my friend Ken. He has been a tremendous help to me and currently has several choppers and Lasers listed for sale.

The attached pic is a boat I was looking at for sale a couple years ago. He was running a 115 high on a jackplate with a chopper. I am not sure what it was, maybe a 26. He said it was in the 70s, but I didn't get the chance to prove it. Still, I have no doubt it was fast.

[427man]

Here's A CV16 that was for sale a couple years ago too. I was hopelessly in love with it. I had just bought the Baja and bringing home another boat right after was not going to go well. It sold and I was crushed, but then I learned what a HydroStream was. Long story short, I ended up with the Viper and couldn't be happier. Still, this particular CV was very sharp looking.

[83VKING]

Hey that's totally fine, i am new to the inline as well. once the boat is restored i will probably have a collection of props as well to test out. as much as i want a chopper prop, with out jack plate and low water pickup not relay good for running fully submerged. i just looked up XSKid1 on S&F. Wow ! so much great information to sift through. Thanks for sharing. that viper set up looks fast. if i decide to get more serious withe inline i will look for a low water pickup with a jack plate. i will be happy with 60 with the prop fully submerged.. well see.

ha almost teary eyed looking at the cv16. that was my first boat. 74 cv16 plum purple. found it at a boat salvage yard and brought it back to life. it was a very fun boat. but it had its limitations when it comes to speed. that's when the hydrostream blows it away. the cv16 did not have a pad it was round hull in the back. it chine walked a little past 50. beautiful boat, the Carlson hull was very strong no doubt.!

[427man]

I have heard from reliable sources that you can block off the four upper holes on each side of the standard water pick up and it will work very well with the prop breaking the surface. Hydrostreams have a cut out under the transom that creates a pocket that throws up a lot of spray at the lower unit.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[427man]

I have an extra low-water gear case, but I think it is sold. If not, I will let you know.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[83VKING]

I was looking into blocking off the holes. it will just be trial and error. i did notice that Hydrostream put alot of engineering into there hull design.! the back hopefully will splash water around. if you have an extra low water gear case that will fit an 83 inline keep me in mind, i would be interested. thanks,

-Mark

[427man]

My low water gearcase will fit your motor. I'll find out next weekend if the potential buyer wants it or not.

[83VKING]

That's great, keep me posted.