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Hello Everyone -

I am a new guy obsessed with owning a Viper. I only recently discovered HS boats and I'm learning all I can. I found one that has been in storage nearly 30 years. It is a 1977 in near mint original condition. It is Coco Loco Brown with HiBack seats running a 1977 150 Black Max. It does have a Jack plate and a hot foot. Other than that it appears to be untouched. The boat is expensive. It has not been cored. So far from what I have read, I must address the core/transom no matter what condition it's in.

This boat might be the one for me, but I want to keep chasing all possibilities. I would prefer a boat as close to original as possible, with original gel and interior. I am not looking to race. Ideally it would be Bruiser Blue with and inline 6 Merc. I am open to other colors/power as well.

If someone has a nice original Viper that needs a new home, I have cash waiting for the right boat.

Thanks

Do you have pictures of it or a link to an ad? Hate to see you spend $6k on a hull that is rotten.

It was on Craig's list. The ad expired, no sale. I have been in touch with the owner, it went back in storage for the winter. Yes, it was $6K firm, but also the nicest one I found by far.

I have a couple poor quality pictures I copied from the ad if I can figure out how to post them.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

Here are a couple pics of the Viper that has been stored nearly 3 decades. It looks to be in mint condition, but it will need to be cored.

To be honest, knowing that its all original and the core and transom have never been replaced (Meaning 99.999% chance it is soaking wet. They all are and dont let anyone tell you otherwise cause they are lairs if they do), to me with the gel and interior in the shape its in, is maybe a $1500 hull. Now if the core and transom had been replaced and the seller had photos and documentation to prove it, I could see paying $6k all day long for whats there but $6k for a boat your going to dump another few grand into redoing, not anywhere close to $6k in my opinion. You can find one from a guy that knows about core jobs that will sell you a nice rotten one (Hull only) for prob $1k give or take.

Wow, very interesting. There are others who have said just the opposite. I have seen a few hulls that have gone for less than $1k, but once you go through a total resto, adding an interior and motor, you end up with a $10k boat pretty quick. Most cheap hulls I've seen need extensive work. I don't want a Ron Pratt level project.

Maybe there is such a thing as a nice Viper with original gel and interior that has been cored for $6k, but I sure haven't found it.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

Are you on Facebook at all? There is a sweet 1979 Viper that is on there for $4500. Has 2.5 200 Mariner, manual jack plate, hot foot, seastar hydraulic steering. Thing looks pretty sweet. Here is some videos he posted of it. Not totally sure if the core or transom have been replaced but looks like something has been done by the looks of the splashwell area with the added knees. I asked him if they have been replaced or not but have not heard back yet.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFBE02PJjK8[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2SwU3j_Y9c[/youtube]

Buying that $6k hull, your going to be upwards, if not over $10k after you replace everything and get it all re-rigged and back on the water. Ron also pretty much got that viper for free and he went ALL OUT on that thing. At the end of the day, its your money and things are only worth what someone is willing to pay. Guess it depends how bad you want it. Personally, knowing there is a really good chance that boat is rotten, I would give over $3-4k for it. And $4k is being generous. Take the motor off and $1500. Thats all its worth being rotten and most guys would prob agree.

I am not on face book, but I did find this boat on Craig's list. Initially l wasn't crazy about the color or lack of interior. Maybe I need to look again.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

Hey guys -

Does anybody know if you can look up members by their real name? There some guys who posted photos on Hydrostream.org I'd like to contact. I only have real names and location.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks