1976 hydrostream viper (centenial edition)

[brandon donahay]

Hello as you can probably see im new here, i would just like to say hello to everyone. I was just given a 1976 hydrostream viper boat it is the centenial edition. the boat is in great shape all execept the interior, could anyone tell me if it is that difficalt to redo the interior on a boat this will be my first boat, other than canoe's and kayaks.. I am a mechanic in the army i figured if they trust me to work on multi million dollar jets and helicopters then i should be able to do this..any feedback will help thank you all ahead of time and i look forword to using this forum it came highly recommended..thanks again.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1976 hydrostream viper (centenial edition)

Hi Brandon,<br /> The Viper is a great little hull! The interiors to Hydro Streams were originally unique to the brand, as they custom fitted the rear bench and forward seats to the boat. If you're looking for originality, you'll likely have to pay someone to redo the originals (if you've got originals to work with). If you're simply looking for function, you can probably get away with installing some basic seats from iBoats, West Marine, Boat U.S., etc.<br /> If you click on the Marine Mega Mall button at the top of the page, you should be able to track down seats through this site.<br /> There's a lot of interest in Hydro Streams, so a Google Search might turn up other sources for more "original" type seats, or maybe patterns to make new ones?? Worth a shot...<br /><br /> What are you going to use for power?<br /><br />- Scott

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: 1976 hydrostream viper (centenial edition)

Hi Brandon, Check out the boat projects section of this forum. Browse everything from the first page to a few months back and beyond or try the search function. There is a lot of reading as many people are doing projects on their boats and sharing them with pictures etc. There is a ton of useful info there and some great links that elaborate on the projects. I've seen a bunch of interior work lately. There might be some other stuff to watch for while you have things apart as well. Read all you can here and ask plenty of questions, those guys love to help!

 

[brandon donahay]

Re: 1976 hydrostream viper (centenial edition)

Hey thanks alot guys, chinewalker i am just looking for functunality. but the originals are still there. i was thinking of covering them with some type of american flag theme to go with the outside of the boat. i was wondering about the speedometer and stuff like that it doesnt have one or even have holes where ones where before did they not have any gauges or were they mounted elsewhere, also a throttle is not there i was told that this would depend on the motor i use and would have to be added when i decide on a motor is this true or should there be one. Im not sure yet on what i am using to power it im still looking for a motor at this time. any suggestions. once again thanks for any help..

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1976 hydrostream viper (centenial edition)

Hi Brandon,<br /> Those Vipers look good with either a "Tower of Power" Merc inline 6 on the back, or a solid Johnrude cross-flow V4. I've driven one with a 140 Johnson on the back, and it was hairy as H-E-Double toothpicks! It'll go just fine with something in the 90-100 range. Lots of info on various motors in the outboard sections here on iBoats. <br /> Yes, controls and gauges will depend on what you power the boat with, although a speedometer can be whatever you like. If you're partial to having all your gauges "match", then go with whatever the engine maker can provide.<br />- Scott

 

[CJEhlers]

Re: 1976 hydrostream viper (centenial edition)

Hello as you can probably see im new here, i would just like to say hello to everyone. I was just given a 1976 hydrostream viper boat it is the centenial edition. the boat is in great shape all execept the interior, could anyone tell me if it is that difficalt to redo the interior on a boat this will be my first boat, other than canoe's and kayaks.. I am a mechanic in the army i figured if they trust me to work on multi million dollar jets and helicopters then i should be able to do this..any feedback will help thank you all ahead of time and i look forword to using this forum it came highly recommended..thanks again.

Brandon,

I have a 1974 Viper in which I'm just about complete restoring. I found new interior for a 1976 Hydrostream on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hydr...ategoryZ124106QQihZ02mZ380095081808QQtcZphoto

I didn't use this for my hull because the interior style changed in 1976....but the interior on ebay look cool and isn't made of wood so it will last quite a while longer than the orginal interior will. I had to rebuild my seats because the wood was rotten.

Hope that helps. Does your boat still have the 115hp on it?

Chris

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1976 hydrostream viper (centenial edition)

WHY are you responding to a 4 year old post! This is getting locked up.