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

My 1974 Vector Restoration

Restoring your Hydrostream or just giving it a small makeover? What better place than to show off your project. Big or small.
User avatar

Topic Author
bhbestcustoms
Getting my feet wet
Getting my feet wet
Posts: 59
Joined: Jun 02, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: Saint John, NB
Has thanked: 7 times
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 16031Post bhbestcustoms »

After about 45mins of grinding!

Image


Before grinding

Image


The CRACK :( Its about 5 1/2 inches long,


Image

Image

Image
Hydrostream Owner,
1974 Hydrostream Vector - Under construction est. 2012
https://www.hydrostreamforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1924
Bradley Harris
Bhbestcustoms
User avatar

Topic Author
bhbestcustoms
Getting my feet wet
Getting my feet wet
Posts: 59
Joined: Jun 02, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: Saint John, NB
Has thanked: 7 times
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 16171Post bhbestcustoms »

So here is an update of where we are now and our progress to this point.
We have a couple of questions and would really appreciate your help, if you have a suggestion please don't hesitate to tell us.

We have removed the engine and taken out the rest of the core. We decided that the two beams needed to be removed as well including the core between them. We were not sure about the transom but after we removed the fiberglass we discovered that it was pretty wet and soft as well. In order to get the top part of the transom out we decided to cut the back top part of the fibreglass out which you will see in the attached pictures. We figured once we removed the aluminum motor mount and saw all the deteriorated transom and cracked fibreglass it would be easier to just cut the back to remove the top part of the transom than to cut the top off like a lot of you have done. We finally got all of the rot out and we are looking forward to starting putting in new core.

When we removed the aluminum motor mount it occured to us that the boat had been modified in the past as it looks like the transom originally went straight across which would mean that the motor originally sat higher on the boat. Our question is: Is it better for the motor to sit higher or lower on the boat? Do you move the motor up higher to go faster and lower to make the boat more stable? Please give us your two cents and expertise on this.

Thanks for your help and below are some of the pictures showing our progress and discoveries. We are learning a lot and appreciate your support!

Image

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Hydrostream Owner,
1974 Hydrostream Vector - Under construction est. 2012
https://www.hydrostreamforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1924
Bradley Harris
Bhbestcustoms
User avatar

Surface Scratcher
Hydrostream Addict
Hydrostream Addict
Posts: 344
Joined: Apr 11, 2009 11:17 pm
Location: Central Texas
Has thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 16173Post Surface Scratcher »

Hey guys, congratulations on the progress! Well it looks like you're gonna get to replace practically all the wood in your boat... probably more work than you expected but you'll know everything is solid when you're done. :up:

Two cents:
The guy that worked on the boat before y'all was a "free thinker. :slap: "
When you see extra metal attached to the transom, it's usually to cover up a problem.
I would rebuild the transom back to normal height (that cut down weakens it).
Instead, find a manual jack plate, maybe a 6 inch for the 140 hp. and you'll be able to dial in the best height for your set up.
Because you'll replace the transom and the stringers (beams), you are in a great spot make the boat stronger than it was when new. Look up Chet's 77 Viper project on here. He made a simple one piece knee brace/ stringer on that rebuild.

:up:
User avatar

YDOC462
HSF Lifetime Supporter
HSF Lifetime Supporter
Posts: 901
Joined: Apr 11, 2010 12:57 pm
Location: beaumont, tx
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 5 times
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 16174Post YDOC462 »

I second everything above. Looking good keep pushing!

[ Post made via Android ] Image
81 vector....complete restore....1991 7 pedal 200 slightly modded
ALWAYS under construction

Image
HYDROSTREAM HELLIONS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHE8wWZsFpw
User avatar

74vector
Getting my feet wet
Getting my feet wet
Posts: 16
Joined: Jan 05, 2010 5:02 pm
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 17137Post 74vector »

Took me a few years and TOTALLY worth it so keep at it see comments about core removal on other thread but .....one day your 74 will look like this 74......
Attachments
stream ct river run.jpg
stream ct river run.jpg (103.36 KiB) Viewed 8213 times
User avatar

265mercman
Hydrostream Addict
Hydrostream Addict
Posts: 418
Joined: Jun 22, 2010 5:22 pm
Location: hohenwald, tn
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 17140Post 265mercman »

agreed you can look at my 79 vector restore i done the knee braces also as i copied from 77viper (chet) and was strong as a ox and still is with 200 mercury pounding away i jumbed waves and all now have sold the boat and 3 years gone bye still strong no doubt keep up the good work on the recore and wood progression willl be a beautiful sight when sitting in the water
79 vector missing in action!!!!!

2006 vking center steer
User avatar

RussF
HSF Lifetime Supporter
HSF Lifetime Supporter
Posts: 1388
Joined: Apr 17, 2009 12:41 pm
Location: New Hampshire
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 20 times
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 17144Post RussF »

Randy lets show then a real nice pic of your boat
25g3yhk.jpg
25g3yhk.jpg (289.84 KiB) Viewed 8205 times
User avatar

Hippie459MN
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3966
Joined: Mar 25, 2009 7:31 pm
Location: Nowthen, MN
Has thanked: 346 times
Been thanked: 80 times
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 17145Post Hippie459MN »

That thing just screams 1970's. I love it!!
-Kevin
Project Vulture | Project Vector | Project Vamp | Project Vixen
The Vulture Wish List | Project CobraJet

1977 HydroStream Vulture - Worlds longest ongoing project. :eek:
1982 Hydrostream Vector
1982 Hydrostream Vamp
1973 Hydrostream Vixen
1976 CobraJet Jet Boat - Outboard conversion project
1976 Pontoon - aka The Family Truckster
User avatar

74vector
Getting my feet wet
Getting my feet wet
Posts: 16
Joined: Jan 05, 2010 5:02 pm
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 17158Post 74vector »

Hi Russ,
Thanks for adding the pics.....Geez, I wish you had your boat at the CT river! Keep me posted on that Spring trip to NY maybe I can do that. You obviously read about my near miss on the highway home.....yikes.
Randy
User avatar

RussF
HSF Lifetime Supporter
HSF Lifetime Supporter
Posts: 1388
Joined: Apr 17, 2009 12:41 pm
Location: New Hampshire
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 20 times
Contact:

Re: My 1974 Vector Restoration

Post: # 17160Post RussF »

112a5w2.jpg
112a5w2.jpg (282.56 KiB) Viewed 8188 times
Post Reply

  • Random Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 13 guests