1990 Hydrostream Vulture XT

The Vulture debuted in 1977 and at one time became the best selling HydroStream model. Think of a Viking with the added length placed in the center, because that is exactly what HydroStream did - they cut a Viking in two (right behind where the two windshield ends meet the sides of the deck) and added two feet to the middle. This made it a very easy boat to produce. The first Vultures - maybe the first 15 or so - had square corners underneath and an extended pad. It worked well, but it didn't fit Pipkorn's concave concept, so he filled it all in and made it concave. The result was that the nose would not come up while running. The problem was similar to the step experiment (see below): a vacuum was created in this back area - air couldn't get in and water couldn't get out and it was like dragging a pocket of water around until the hull could eventually break loose. It took quite a few hours of testing to figure out the cause of the problem and the resulting solution, some of which had Pipkorn leaning over the transom analyzing the situation while underway. HydroStream's answer was to add two short strips of aluminum underneath. These would push the water back down and prevent the water from coming up around the edges to form a seal.

[@noyesmaker1]

Buzz had her trimmed out pretty good :)

[@haydenmize8068]

Motor needs to be built or put a nasty 2.5 merc on it and it’ll fly

[@KimberKlr]

2.5 would put it near triple digits.

[@MasterWitchDoctor]

@@KimberKlr I have a '79 Viking with a 1982 200 Black Max thats been modified extensively (180 cranking compression, TDR and Boyesen reeds, Diamond Marine 15 inch lower unit, Bobs Machine shop lower unit) on VP C10 gas and 20:1 mixture (Torco GP7 oil) its putting out 240hp at the prop shaft. i have it mounted on a 14 inch set back and its GPS'd 94 mph at 6400. I could raise and widen the exhaust ports and easily get 20 more hp and 500 rpm but then Id need a 32 inch prop. im using a 30 cleaver and its scary fast as it is. Porting would give it 10 mph but why bother the boat is at its limit now for what it can handle.

[@matthewtaylor1697]

sweat boats

[@SarahSchleperdegalaxy]

Such a great waterski boat