1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

[iggz]

Hi I'm new to the forum.

I am looking to buy a boat. I just moved within 5 miles of a lake. However, I know nothing about boats. I found on Craigslist a 1978 15' HydroStream Viper for sale for $3950.

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/2548284398.html

Ad says:
1978 15ft Hydro-Stream Viper with drive-on trailer, 115 HP Mariner, tilt/trim, Jack Plate, Hot Foot, Bilge Pump. This boat is an eye catcher and will FLY! All new custom interior to match! It needs nothing, WATER READY!

What would I need to check on this boat? Is the price about right, or too high?

It looks like it could be a lot of fun, but I don't really know the things that could be wrong with it. Any advice?

Here are more pictures of it:
http://s843.photobucket.com/albums/zz353/boat-flipper/Viper/?albumview=slideshow

Thanks for any help!

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

Well it depends on what you want to do with the boat.The HStream is a go fast and ski/tube boat. It is not made to go out in rough water or for fishing,family picnics etc. The jack plates go for 600 and up.The tilt/trim is a great feature on this boat.The Mariner is a strong running Mercury Tower of Power re badged.I would check for even compression on all cylinders within 5-10lbs of each other.Put a post in the Merc/Mariner forum to get the compression specs.The boat looks to have been restored and painted.At this point well taken care of and probably solid.Ask if the transom and stringers have been redone and who did the work.If he goes into detail and did it himself I would offer 3200/3300 after a test ride.If he balks at that give him your name and number and tell him you will continue to shop around,he probably will stop you before you get in your car.At 3950 he is thinking 3500, so if you beat him down to 33-32 you are doing well..The price is what the market will bear,how much he has into it and how much of a hurry he is in to sell.The motor pkg with Trim and Plate is probably worth 1500-2500 if not salt water,which it looks like it is not.The trailer is 500.Seats if done by a pro 550-850.You may want to look in the library @ fiberglassics.com and/ put a post in there main forum or the 70's "disco" forum.Looks to be a nice pkg,but all I am looking at is pics from a distance,can't tell if there are runs or chips in paint etc.

 

[V153]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

Hydrostreams are cool, fast boats. Looks like a nice package. BUT Hydrostreams have a balsa core which at that age is prone to get soggy. What looks like an aluminum plate on the transom raises my suspicion. It's entirely possible that everything is sound but I'd take a very close look at the transom.

No offense mr88 but I'd charge a heck of a lot more for an interior like that! Heh heh

 

[iggz]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

Thanks so much guys.

Couple more questions. How exactly do I tell what condition the balsa core is in? What exactly is the core in Layman's terms? Is it simply the very interior of the boat that gives it its shape? What should I look for in the transom, just stability?

V153, I was under the impression that the aluminum plate is for the Jack Plate?

Thanks again.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

I noticed the diamond plate as well. Many use that after restoring for cosmetic purposes, especially with a jack plate.I do not THINK that they are trying to mask anything with that.Inspect anyway..V-man you probably are correct as I was just giving a guesstimate on the job.I bought a boat that came with a receipt for two small back to back seats with two colors and piping , it was 650,so I used that as a guideline.Mentioning the balsa core and seeing that orange[ possibly water holding[ carpet would have me inspecting that closely.Or see if has been replaced.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

There is a post on a 74 HydroStream Vector on the fiberglassics 70's disco forum halfway down.Won first of show and he mentions what a pain the balsa core was to replace. You may want to use the search icon in the resto forum using balsa core or HydroStream Vector as your search word.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

Not to keep rambling but I will. Try screamandfly.com as well. The balsa core would be the material between the sub-floor and hull of boat. Used as positive flotation as well as helping to stiffen up the bottom.Your boat should have stringers as well,which is the actual backbone of the strength in the hull.

 

[iggz]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

I like rambling. Can you point me to a guide or describe how to actually tell the condition of the balsa core? I've been searching but can't seem to find anything?

 

[V153]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

I noticed the diamond plate as well. Many use that after restoring for cosmetic purposes, especially with a jack plate.

Agreed. A jack plate will probly tell you if the transom is good or not ...

I have first hand knowledge of just what a pita replacing a balsa core is. Didn't buy a soggy Vector awhile back but unded up helping a buddy who did rebuild it. Still trying to figure out how that happened. I passed on it and still ended up rebuilding the sob?

Any way Hydrostreams are highly sought after boats. Can be very, scary, fast. Plus they have those classic good looks.

Asking price isn't way outa line but in todays economy I agree it's a lil high.

Good luck!

 

[V153]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

I recently purchased a close cousin of your boat btw:

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

Call the guy up and see what has been done to it.Then report back

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

Nice looking hydrostream. and I can attest that the vipers fly. they are scary fast with 150 on them. I did not like the fact that they are not a rough water boat. i also personally dont like the lack of a windshield, however that is because of hitting a large bug at 60 with my forehead really sucked

you have to ask yourself what you want in a boat. if its calm water go-fast. this is a nice boat for that. yes, the balsa core may be of concern. inspect it and know.

 

[iggz]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

I recently purchased a close cousin of your boat btw:

Nice, that's a beauty!

Call the guy up and see what has been done to it.Then report back

Okay, I will call tomorrow.

yes, the balsa core may be of concern. inspect it and know.

Is it best to take it somewhere to be inspected? Not sure exactly how to inspect the balsa core.

 

[V153]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

hitting a large bug at 60 with my forehead really sucked

Hah! I feel you're pain. Golf ball sized bumble bee whacked me right between the eyes. Didn't sting but his guts splattered everywhere. Saw him coming from a ways out & in his defense I believe he was truly trying to avoid a collision. But we kept deeking each other in the same direction? Sob just about took my head off ...

Anyway. Hydrostreams are really good at one thing: Going fast. Good ski boat too but that would be two things ... if ya wanna go fast on a smooth lake a that's the boat for you.

 

[V153]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

Dunno whether this is good or bad but look at the filename @ photobucket pics: 'boat-flipper'

Meaning I would assume the seller buys boats cheap, puts a lil lipstick on & sells em for more.

You might wanna consider having the boat surveyed. Haul it to a surveyors office and have them check it out.

Shouldn't cost any more than $150-200 bucks. See if the seller would be willing to knock the cost of survey off the price?

 

[Samvq1]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

The maintenance issues have been addressed but what do you plan on doing with this boat. It looks like it would get very crowded very quickly bringing minimal gear or friends. It is a very nice looking boat though.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

This is not always a bad thing.It is essentially what used car dealers are and people buy them everyday.BUT you bring up a good point in this case. Check and see who it is registered too.That would be my concern as to how/if it was restored/ by whom and his reply to your questions. IT still may be a good boat so ask a lot of questions and if you can take V-mans advice and have it looked over by a pro and tell him your concerns.

Dunno whether this is good or bad but look at the filename @ photobucket pics: 'boat-flipper'

Meaning I would assume the seller buys boats cheap, puts a lil lipstick on & sells em for more.

You might wanna consider having the boat surveyed. Haul it to a surveyors office and have them check it out.

Shouldn't cost any more than $150-200 bucks. See if the seller would be willing to knock the cost of survey off the price?

 

[yamatech43]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

My first boat was a 15.5 ft. hydrostream...an '83 i think....finally broke the hull from having too many people in front watch a very well gifted young lady 'bounce' as i hit waves at full throttle....cracked the keel above water line in front...."POW"!!!! Used the boat another year and still made money on it....good boats. Price is actually very good if boat is in very good condition...don't worry about year so much and the motor is everything so check it out carefully. Made in Arkansas if i remember right.....

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: 1978 15' HydroStream Viper questions

Not to keep rambling but I will. Try screamandfly.com as well. The balsa core would be the material between the sub-floor and hull of boat. Used as positive flotation as well as helping to stiffen up the bottom.Your boat should have stringers as well,which is the actual backbone of the strength in the hull.

Core is part of the laminate that makes up the hull. It is not between the floor and doesn't add floatation. It is the hull. (glass- core glass)

Most performance boats and a lot of large boats (including Viking yachts) are built with balsa core today. It is stronger and lighter construction.

Core doesn't get soggy for no reason. It can only happen if there is a hole in one side of the laminate allowing water into the core. This means either someone who didn't know what they were dealing with put a screw in it (my boat) or the boat got wreaked.