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Jack
Bobin...1984 Ventura II with Evinrude 140.
I have lived in Washington state all my life and have grown up around
lake boats since I was a child. My grandfather had a cabin on a lake
in northern WA. My family's first boat was a Bell Boy with an Attwater
outboard, then we graduated to a 1972 16ft Tahiti with a 120hp Mercruiser.
Next was a 1978 Bell Industries 16 ft Tahiti copy with a Merc 470 (170hp)
motor. This boat was a fairly fast 50mph and got me really interested
in boats as a teenager. My father sold the boat and bought a more
appropriate Bluewater Mirage, rather unexciting to me.
I went to college and ended up working for US Marine Bayliner as an
Industrial Engineer. I was inspired by the Nitro and Arriva line of
boats under their Corporate umbrella.
However it was one day on the lake, at sunset, when it appeared. I saw
the white roostertail in the shadows...A Vector with an inline Mercury 150.
It was blue and sleek and I I was hooked.
Hydrostreams are not common in this corner of the nation. As I got
older and had more buying power, I looked and looked for a used Hydrostream,
to no avail. 3 months ago I saw this unique little boat (1984 Ventura
II) parked in a dusty gravel lot near my house. The minute I saw that
it was a Hydrostream, I called the owner and he agreed to meet me there the
next day. I then took the For Sale sign off the boat and drove home.
I got the boat for $2800.
I was in for a treat: rotted soft subfloor, leaking old fuel tank in
back, rotted seats and seat bases, instruments did not work, 2 screws
actually poking through the bottom of the hull, no bilge pump, 1 deck cleat
and a trailer that could barely make it down the street. (I wish I had
read the articles on the site on what to look for...). Overall, I
could do all the work myself. The best thing was the hull core was in
great shape, the transom was strong and the 1984 140hp Evinrude was a
runner. This was a boat that had original motor and rigging, and
trailer. A fair deal.
So I took the boat home, repaired the subfloor, made new seat boxes and
re-glassed it all. I installed great SPARCO racing
seats (they are non-stick!). I tuned the motor, repaired and replaced
most everything and finally waxed and polished it all. The trailer got
new wheel and tires, wiring and lights, and new paint. Overall I put
about $1,000 total into it, including the ancillary items (paddle, vests,
ski rope, etc)
 The
boat turns heads and is a great topic for conversation on Lake Washington.
The Lake is 10 minutes from home, however it can get real rough with the
yachts and such. The Hydrostream is a kick in the pants out there, but
it takes a firm resolve when the going gets tough (Exactly the reason I
installed a 600gph Bilge). There are days when I leave the boat safely
at home....
It pulls quick and hard to 60mph with a 23pitch x 12 3/4" OMC Aluminum
prop. It could likely pull 65mph with a 27 pitch. It chine walks
(scary) due to the single push/pull steering system and rubber engine
mounts. I am learning to drive this little beast. My wish list
would include a dual cable steering system, foot throttle and solid engine
mounts. A big Merc hanging on the transom would be even better....
Jack Bobin
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