 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
16’ - 6 ‘ ‘ Hydrostream Ventura II
This Ventura II was built in the Minnesota plant in November of 1976 for the model year of 1977 which was the first year for the Ventura II.
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Pictures # 1, 2, 3, 5, 11 and 13 show the Ventura two days after I bought it: note the original windshield, which is made of an aluminum frame and plexiglass. The fuel filler cap is located on the deck of the boat, with the fuel cell mounted underneath. This keeps much needed weight up front, which is very useful when running the heavier V6’s. The Ventura II was designed to run with a maximum horsepower rating of 150, which at the time was an inline 6 cyl. engine. Designed speed was 70 - 80 mph. The concave chine at the rear of the boat can easily be seen in these photos.
 |
 |
 |
* Pictures # 7, 12 and 14 show the huge "gull - wings." These wings trap massive amounts of air, and in my opinion because of these wings, less trim is needed as aerodynamics easily lift the Ventura out of the water. Because I use less trim, a perfect running attitude is had every time. Even though the Ventura is only 16 - 1/2’ long, rough water running is excellent as I can easily hold down my brothers larger Valero pad - v in the rough. The Ventura runs good driven alone, but can get a little bow light at speed. With a passenger the Ventura runs about as good as it gets, with the added weight up front, which is proof positive by the wins and championships it has obtained in many classes of racing, especially the FS ( family ski ) class, which requires a passenger. Howard Pipkorn himself raced his own personal Ventura, which can be seen on the IHR. When beach racing is the order of the day, I sometimes run with a passenger or if by myself I’ll use a 25 or 50 pound weight (depending on fuel load), to help keep the bow down.
 |
 |
 |
* Pictures # 8, 15 and 16 show the shabby beat up original interior of the boat with nothing more than the original steering wheel and grab handle. From the rubrail down the boat was in perfect condition, but from the rail up the boat was badly oxidized and in need of a major cleaning. There was also the name "orange crush" painted on each side of the boat along with the registration numbers. Some people noted that the top of the boat looked like
it was burnt in a fire, that was the extent of how dirty this boat actually was. For a refurbishing and name removal, I would take the boat to a good friend at Automotion Auto Repair in Forked River N.J, and he and I would work together for a surprising transformation.
 |
 |
 |
* Pictures # 17, 18 and 19 show the boat going through major surgery. Pic # 17 shows the newly installed balsa core. Note the larger patterns going up each side of the boat that extend from the front of the boat to the transom. At the bottom of the patterns toward the center of the boat, you can see the added balsa strips that were fused into the larger patterns. All the edges were rounded with a belt sander to allow the fiberglass matte to bond and fuse to the existing floor. This would also make installing the carpet easier and would leave no sharp edges for bare feet. The newly constructed area can also be seen where the ski pole mounting bracket used to be. The rotted area was cut out and the new piece of plywood was installed and glassed over for a smooth and perfect fit.
In pic # 18, the cut-down foam filled "hump" can be seen. The hump was cut down with one revolution around with a sawzall, with the top later being reglassed back on. The top right of the hump has a piece that I cut out to further check for water impregnation, that was also glassed back in. There was no saturation found inside the hump. Also keep in mind that Hydrostream never added a sub - floor to this boat, so retaining the hump is important for added strength. The balsa core is the floor in this boat.