TOPIC: 1974 Hydrostream Vixen

I found this gem earlier in the summer when the owner showed up at the end of a local AOMCI meet in Sodus Bay, NY with a couple of old motors and an ultra-rare Clarke Troller engine stand. After I purchased the stand, he mentioned he had a small Hydrostream for sale, so off we went to take a look. It took me about 10 seconds to decide to buy it. It was in good usable condition, with a 1977 55 HP Evinrude that runs great. Added a 19" pitch prop and have had a blast with it all summer. It is rated for 85 HP, so plans for next year is to buff out the dull gelcoat and try a custom larger prop and maybe upgrade to an 80's 90 HP OMC.

Man, what a pointed bow! Looks like a water rocket Don, very cool - thanks for sharing.

I've always wanted one of those with a 1976 Merc 650XS!!!!!!!

I have the 74 Catalog if ya want a copy of the specs for your boat.
You may have seen my 74 Vector I just restored so I collected all the info I could find. Pic is posted somewher in the Disco forum.
Before going crazy on motors and cosmetcs, check the core, it is highly likely it is rotting due to water intrusion. Not the floor, I mean the balsa core laminated into the hull. Hydrostreasm are nearly guaranteed to have this issue, the hull will fall apart and delaminate once it gets used a lot if it has this problem.
That said that is a TOTALLY cool rare Stream worth restoring because after a recore it would be original gel etc. making it very unusual in the annals of Hydrostream restorations. I would refrain from adding holes for modern stuff to it where it is so clean, but that is only my opinion, do what suits ya.
My neighbor had one in 74, with an 800 Merc, almost but, not quite 60 out of it, we had a timed mile set up on shore to verify.
I agree a 650 XS would be awsome but they are nearly impossible to find, a look a like 850 XS could be had a lot easier although the later 70's 4's and 6's are hard to find with a short shaft.
Great find, nice boat,
Randy

Yeah man, you did well.
Prepare to answer lots of questions at the ramps. Way cool.
Thanks for posting and keep up posted.
Neil

a 90hp Tower would look extra sweet sitting out back !

Very cool! How long is it?

Ya the Balsa core ... I passed on a Vector awhile back over the same concerns.
Seller was up front about it being soggy. Turned a buddy of mine's kid on to
it and he recored it.

Cool boats, and fast too.

Randy - I sent you an email. The Vixen is listed as 14' 6". I'm not sure about the construction of the floor/core. Is it the same as the bigger Hydrostreams? The floor is fiberglass with a well with a drain hole under the deck near the nose, another drain hole in front of the seat pedestal, and a well at the drain hole at the transom. It doesn't seem heavy under power and does 42 mph with the heavy driver and the 19" prop. I have a Stratos 200VT and a Stratos 180VT and they are also prone to wet cores. The 180VT does have a soft floor under the front seats, but I sure the 200 VT is dry and is in great original condition.

I will keep the boat in it's present condition, only replacing the guages. There is multi-colored vinyl tape outlineing the cockpit that I'm pretty sure is original. It came with a ski tripod and all the hardware is all ready on the hull to connect it.

I know this was a good find and is a lot of fun to drive.

[img size=800x600] www.frontiernet.net/~outboard/VixTrim.jpg [/img]

A little Vixen info... www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hydrostream.org/Specific%2520Models/VixenBrochure2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hydrostream.org/Specific%2520Models/Vixen.htm&usg=__XmFtp28fvXuoevmu2p2q1PDOGrs=&h=672&w=370&sz=74&hl=en&start=32&zoom=1&tbnid=l4UUAGLBZbWF8M:&tbnh=138&tbnw=76&ei=LYFxTqWhKdK4tgeA94WFCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3DHydrostream%2BVixen%26start%3D21%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1