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I'm new to the Hydrostream Forum and Hydrostream boats in general. What an awesome resource this is! I have loved Hydrostreams since I was a teenager and have always wanted one. I am interested in purchasing a 1985 Vulture, but I'm concerned about some "aluminum work" that has been done to the transom area. I have never seen this before and I was hoping someone could explain what it is and whether or not it's a good thing to have on such a boat or a sign of more serious problems. I would appreciate any and all feedback and opinions regarding this particular boat. Thank you.

[URL=http://s996.photobucket.com/user/bj71chevelle/media/Hydrostream%202.jpg.html][img]http://i996.photobucket.com/albums/af89/bj71chevelle/Hydrostream%202.jpg[/img][/url]

Boat's a wreck, would need a full resto. The aluminum is a desperate attempt to stop the transom from flexing. Nice looking fab job but a sound hull needs none of that.

Welcome to the board, I'm Pete and I know everything.

Thanks Pete. I was somewhat sceptical about the condition of the transom as well. Would you recommend I forget this boat and move on or would it make a good restoration candidate? I guess I'm wondering if it is worth saving????

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I've seen worse than that brought back, it's a tremendous amount of work and expense. Could take years unless you have tons of spare time. On average, I would say less than 20% of projects that size ever get completed. Biggest problem you'll have there is with the rub rail, that stuff is near impossible to find, so getting it back to original is a real headache, if not impossible.

Too late to worry about it. I purchased the boat. The restoration process will hopefully begin soon.

Deal done, bringing it home.

Welcome to the forum. Pete knows way more than I do, but I restored a Vulture. Look for my restoration thread in WIP. It was a lot of work, but I got through it. Love my Vulture. It will need plenty of power and a jackplate to get it to fly right. I had so much fun on the Vulture, I am currently working on a full restore of a Viking and a Ventura II at the same time. Don't even question about taking short cuts. Do the transom, core, stringers, floor, interior, steering... etc... Every time I get in mine, I know it's safe because I did it all.

http://www.hydrostreamforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=373

Enjoy the read

Thanks so much "VultureNo2". I have read your thread at least 10 times. It is very informative. I absolutely love the way your boat turned out and it has inspired me to see my project through to the end. Mine is a 1985 and the seats don't seem as nice as your's. I assume the 77 Vulture's came with "high back" seats where as mine are quite low. I would prefer your style seats when the time comes. Would you be willing to share the dimensions if you have them? As far as my "restoration" is concerned, I will be posting info and photos on the Restoration page under the title "New to Me Vulture". Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

bj71chevelle wrote:I assume the 77 Vulture's came with "high back" seats where as mine are quite low. I would prefer your style seats when the time comes. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

The 1977 to 1979 Vultures originally came with back to backs then in 1980 and newer they had single buckets. Personally, I dont like the back to back seats. I like the buckets simply due to having much more side support as where with a back to back, you have none what so ever. I will be putting single buckets in my 1977 when that time comes. And also, Bill built and upholstered his seats in his garage and they turned out dang nice too for a guy that didnt know what he was doing.

A lot of this stuff, we had no idea what we were doing going into these projects so if we can do it, anyone can.

Hippie is right. I fabricated the Back to Backs from the few remaining pieces that came with the boat. Somewhere in my notes I have the dimensions. I'll have to do some digging to find them. Thanks for the nice comments on the Vulture. Today I'm itching from fiberglass. Working on the transom of the Viking sitting in my garage, begging me to complete it. One of these days I'll learn to sand with long sleeves on. I like the back to backs better. I have the original back to backs for my Viking. They are going back in. they are in like new condition.