Cool ,I was under the impression it was some kind of art to learn to "ride the pad" and it would take me all summer to figure it out. Although Ron likes his set up on the older style Viper , I still think I should go close to what your set up is considering the amount of experience you have. Guess I want to try to set it up right the first time . Then I have to play with how high the motor will be mounted . I really need this boat to haul around toys to keep the honey happy , so prop choice will have to be conservative .It will be on a lift in front of my place and its a pain to have to take it out of the lake once its there. But could always change props in the water for fast times.

I spent about 10 hours in the vegas before being comfortable on the pad. I was able to drive the viper without problems on the first trip out.

I was going to ask the battery question too . How long does it take to get the hang of driving fast ? I used to race ATV's (which have nothing to do with boats I know) but had a 2 stroke that would do 100mph. I have a 200 2.4 on the boat which has no steel cyl liners , it has chrome bore so it weighs at least 20# less than 150. I also have found out that the 2.5's weigh even more . Without an adjustable rear bracket its hard to play with the set back .

Dang! That thing sure looks awesome all aired out. :up:

Your battery up front or anything like that? Maybe that would help beep the boat from sinking so much. lol

That picture is large. In the upper left corner there is a +. Hit that and it will go full screen.
Aren't you running a 150? V-6? They all weigh pretty much the same. Mine is a mostly stock carb 2.5L 200. No oil inj., Dukas reeds, + exhaust liner is removed.
My Viper is a '73 model with less freeboard than the newer ones. Don't know what year they modified them. What year is yours?? My back seat is for decoration only. The transom is 1" under water if I have to lean over the rear seat to pull the cowl. Both feet have to stay on the floor. I tried standing on the rear seat bottom and almost sank it!! :o I found this out on the maiden run. Forgot to hook up the throttle cable on the motor. Boat was launched so I thought,....No biggie and walked to the back. Bow went straight up and the stern down!!!
See where the back corners sit? No tow toys with this one.

[img]http://i52.tinypic.com/e8u0wp.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i55.tinypic.com/163og6.jpg[/img]

Here's a shot you never see a Hydrostream in. They're either sitting still or running flat out.

[img]http://i56.tinypic.com/fuxbug.jpg[/img]

One thing I was told when setting up my first HydroStream,....To determine setback, run wide open with boat trimmed how you like it. Look at motor from side. Positive trip = more setback, negative trim= less. Here's a picture I took from a video of Matt Pickett doing 102 mph in his VKing. Notice the motor is tucked under slightly? He had 6" setback. 5" worked best with that boat.
[img]http://i42.tinypic.com/25rcc92.jpg[/img]

Hi Ron ,beautiful boat ,do you have a bigger pic of it ? That 2.5 weighs a bit more than mine , ever pull any toys with it ?

Thanks for the input , seems like 5" will work . Mine is a custom bracket so I might bring it in an inch or two. Really excited to get this boat put together and in the water. Windshields are available thru Hydrostream Canada .

After the Viper build, I started a few cool car builds and strayed off the boat site. Check out the website I have listed in my signature. Caprice made it. Look at the '38 Chevy. I made it from fiberglass!! Glad to see you're still in the "Streams.
[img]http://i53.tinypic.com/8yg8zk.jpg[/img]

Good to hear. I need to dig up your resto thread over on S&F and see how you did that windshield mold again. I have a good windshield here finally and thinking of making a mold and making some fiberglass ones.

Im surprised sometimes when people say they just found this place when we are coming up on 3 years its been here. :up:

For your avatar, here is a nice little How To - [url=http://www.hydrostreamforums.com/changing-your-avatar]http://www.hydrostreamforums.com/changing-your-avatar[/url]

Hey there. Doing a search for Virages and found this site.
The Viper is AWESOME!!!!! Probably the funnest HS I've had. You have to keep on your toes with this little one. Rock solid as long as you watch the bow and constantly "twitch" the steering to keep her straight. Total adreneline rush every time out!!!! :up:

[img]http://i55.tinypic.com/2lxh14z.jpg[/img]