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I just purchsed a '76 Viper Bicentennial and will begin the long process of bringing her back to life after the first of the year. Looking at the deck, I see several areas in which the gelcoat has some spidercracks. My first question is regarding these cracks-what would be the best way to tackle these?
Looking at the hull, there are several gouges on the keel that need filling. Using a gelcoat repair kit, how do I get the "metalflake" look to match the hull? The hull is a burgandy color and it looks as if the metalflake is just "glitter"??

Any help or suggestions would be great.

Wow! where did you find that at? Post some pics.

I think I saw it on Craigslist in Fox Lake IL. Is that the one? Bill

That was the one. Needs new floor and transom. Don't know about the core and stringers yet, however, I am prepared to do it all.

Welcome to the website. You have yourself a nice looking stream. I am currently working on a 79 Vulture I picked up in September. I will tell you the same things the guys told me. 99% chance it needs core and stringers. Don't be afraid to do it right. There are a ton of helpful threads and others here that either have or are currently going through what you are about to. I'll be glad to answer any questions you have., See my thread.

"Another hydrostream fanatic on board" in WIP
http://www.hydrostreamforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=373

I pulled the floor and now the core. There are plenty of pictures. I'm doing it myself and expect to spend many hours.

When done you will have a unique boat.

List some pictures

That particular boat is super worthy of a proper restoration, and will be a huge conversation piece if done right. I'd even go as far to offer up services for the recore and transom, just to say I did a bi centennial.


Some before and after of the last one I was into.

Thanks HST4ME. Any help would be greatly appreciated. In fact, her maiden voyage once completed will be up by you on Sand Lake. I just got done reading the thread on S & F that I found on VultureNo2 thread by the guy in Alaska redoing a "76 viper. Holy SH_ _ is all I can say right now. That guy did one heck of a job on his Viper and I learned so much already tonight from all these threads. I look forward to getting know everyone on this site and hope to meet all of you someday. The pics will begin once work begins. Problem I have is workspace. It is going to be in the 20's and 30's here in the Clem the next few weeks and my garage is not heated. Already trying to figure out this problem.

Sand Lake eh? Just drive another 20 miles to the beautiful Foote Pond and boat on something bigger than a mud puddle.

Go see Chris at http://www.michiganfiberglass.com for your materials.

That looks amazing. Looks like Soniks viper. And if I remember right Chris did the core and stuff on his viper.

Either way that is one awsome looking job there.

Cant wait to see pics of the Bi-centennial viper.

Hippie459MN wrote:That looks amazing. Looks like Soniks viper. And if I remember right Chris did the core and stuff on his viper.

Either way that is one awsome looking job there.

Cant wait to see pics of the Bi-centennial viper.

Chris???? Been called lots of things, but never Chris before. That is Soniks boat.