HPBCANADA.COM

If you're looking to do it yourself, there's a ton of rebuild/recore threads on Hydrostream Forums. Pretty much every thread has detailed instructions (and pictures) on every step taken. A lot of great info to soak up there.

And....if you don't buy the Vulture, let me know so I can have a look at it.

I have not re-cored a boat yet, but would not hesitate to do it myself with the help and information available in our community. I get the auto analogy of buy it done or do it yourself, for me unless I knew the shop that did the work, I would not trust any hull this age without checking it out totally, I've seen some boats that I thought were mint ,Toms (Wildcatt) dl before he bought it and he re did the transomme , Colins old ae that had work done at Johns in Brechin, only to de-laminate a few years later. I'm not knocking anyones work, I think that the only real way to be 100% sure of a hull this age is to rip out the floor drill the core and transomme, I dont think there are very many , if any dry origional examples left anymore. These boats were built to be light fast and fun, not to last a long time in the elements( is any boat LOL) .Another thing to consider is the rigging if you buy just a hull/trailer, not cheap,but guys like Paul(Top Gun) can really help out with used parts , motor jackplate combo etc. hydrostream.org , as stated above has some great re-core and other restoration articles with pictures as well as setup under tech talk for the vulture. also check out spotlight boats, there are a few Vultures in there too.

Steve

you Coles have all the bases covered! you're right on all counts with this post!

Wow, first I have heard of problems at Hydrostream. But you guys would know you live there.

My Baja was restored by John, and I paid about what the just the hull cost for the boat, a rebuilt motor, rigging, and a good trailer. The guy who paid for the resto took a beating. I've had the boat a few years, and it's still perfect. I visit John a few times a year, and his work still looks excellent. But as noted, I'm not an expert.

No doubt you can restore something yourself for a lot less dough than paying someone. I would not hesitate to send someone to Mark either. He is a stand up guy.