New Member - Need help with 1967 restoration project

Hello everyone - what a great site this is. I'm a new member from California, this is my first post.

I was given a 1967 Hydrodyne Competition Ski Classic. At least that's what the text on the side reads. I know it's a Hydrodyne however. Can someone please confirm what it is for me based on the attached pics? It came with a great trailer but it truly is just the hull and topside and steering wheel - that's it!

My 1st question is in regards to motors. Judging by the plate on the back, it looks as if it were set up for a single screw application. Can I make it a twin rigg if I want? Having said that, what horsepower ratings should I consider in each scenario? Two important things to note: The boat will be used in Lake Tahoe, CA at 6300 feet of elevation, so I will probably lose 20-25% of my power on that fact alone. Also, since we are near the Mecca of environmental freaks, the motor(s) will have to be clean burning four strokes (two strokes are illegal).

My useage style with the boat will be more for nostalgic purposes than for skiing. I want it to be fast and quick, but not ridiculously fast (I guess 45-55 MPH would be cool). We own 3 wooden Chris Crafts and a GarWood already, so you could say that we like to turn heads with unique, one-of-a-kind boats. There is definitely not a Hydrodyne on Tahoe. We also have a 1959 Crosby 14' Runabout just tucked away for a rainy day.

My intent is to basically start from scratch on this boat, patch all the holes, repair fiberglass and give it a nicer gelcoat. Any info on where to come across parts for this boat would be awesome.

By the way, I run a graphics company and can reproduce all the old vinyl decals for these boats. I would be glad to offer my services if anyone in interested.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Jeff Barraclough

 

I'm pretty sure that E-Tec Evinrudes are allowed at Lake Tahoe, I know Evinrude has an ad to that effect that they are the only 2 strokes allowed on Lake Tahoe. E-tecs have less total emissions than 4 strokes and are C.A.R.B 3 star rated.

Twin 90's might be kind of interesting, the inline 3 cyl 90 E-tecs have built in oil tanks and are pretty light. A single V6 will be faster on top end though. Not sure how wide you can go on an 18 with twins, the E-Tec 115's and 150's are 19.5 inches wide. 135 and 150 Optis are narrower. I'd probaby opt for a single 175 E-Tec.

 

Welcome to Hydrodyners,

Your boat is a first generation 18 ft tournament ski boat. A bunch of us own similar boats and it is my favorite boat. I believe that horsepower ratings were not required in 1967 and you boat probably does not have a capacity plate, so there is no rating.

As far as what could be put on it, here is a picture of what has been put on one of those when it was new and in good condition:

Those are V-6's.

Must ski has rigged a lot of dynes and his recommendations are right on. Your estimate of the power loss at that altitude is right on also. A 175 will probably give you 140 at that altitude and the boat will probably hit 50 with that. This hull is not efficient speed wise, but it does fairly well for a ski boat. The e-tec motors are a bunch lighter than the four strokes and much snappier so that is the way to go if they are allowed.

You need to inspect that boat carefully. The Dynes built in that year had a double layer of balsa core and sometimes fasteners were put into the core itself because there was no false floor. Tap on the floor and hull and look for "dead" spots. Use a hammer but use the handle end to tap with or something similar. A "dead" tap means water inside and needs to be addressed. There is a very good chance the transom has water in it and needs to be replaced.

Markbano on this board is the restoration expert and he is putting the finishing touches on a new restoration section with detailed photos.

The original style rub rail is available. I don't use it personally, but most guys seem to. Most of the other parts that you will need are easy. There is a ton of information already posted here about that boat.

jim

 

It look like all the outboards that meet the 2006 emission rules are allowed on Lake Tahoe. that includes a bunch of injected two strokes.

http://www.boattahoe.com/trparegs.htm

jim

 

Thanks Jim and Must-Ski. I actually found that same article Jim. I wonder what my chances are of finding one that is a year or two old that meets those standards. I'd hate to have to kick down $10,000+ for a brand new one that I won't even use that often. The TRPA is a nightmare and always seem to be costing us money!

So, is there any validity to the "Competition Ski Classic" written on the side of the boat? I'd never seen that before, but I assume it could have been original.

Also, how do these boats handle? It seems as if they turn on a dime. Tahoe tends to get rough in the afternoons so I would shy away from that, but in case a westerly wind came up on us by chance, how does the low profile perform in choppy waters?

 

In rough water be prepared for a bumpy ride. These boats perform great, but are not the best boats when it comes to choppy water. They definately do not cut through the chop like the old wooden Chris Crafts. I believe they act like that due to their hull design. They are very pointy in the front, and then flatten out in the transom.

Greg

 

There were many motors built that comply with the 2006 rules prior to 2006. They are the direct injected motors. Johnson/Evinrude called them ficht, then e-tec. The e-tec is the newer version and is the better version. Mercury called them optimax, and I do not recall what Yamaha called them.

There are basically two sizes, big block and small block. The small block is the 2.5-2.6 liter and the big block is the 3.0-3.3 or so liter. There is generally 100 pounds difference. For sea level operation I recommend the small block for the 18, however it will carry the weight of the big block motors and since you are not too concerned about slow planing speeds that might be OK at your altitude. That would open up the used market in your range.

Like anything else there are good ones and no so good ones. There are ski team members here that have a lot of experience with different motors. Ask their advice before buying a specific year and model. There are a bunch of motors out there that will comply with your needs.

Bevcrosbymiller is a member here. Her father built that boat and she may be able to answer the "Competition Ski Classic" question.

The boat is a low profile flat bottom soft chine boat, it banks it turns and rides rough in chop. If you quarter into the waves there will be spray on the rear seats. If it gets real rough, just slow down, get off plane, and trim up to keep the bow up and out of trouble. I have purposely stuck the bow into a wave. It took a lot of water over the bow and I got wet but it handled it ok. I have done that more than once just for fun, the boat is strong enough and has enough bow lift to handle it.

jim

 

You want a 20 inch shaft motor.

jim

 

Ditto Daniel......Great to see another Dyne owner right here in the Golden State!

Hi Jeff!

Boy, you do have a collection of "Classic" boats don't ya! I am not a Hydrodyne owner, but I do own a "Classic Glass" boats......1963 Elgin 15' and a 1963 Elgin 14'....they were sold through the Sears Catalogs back in the day and built by Arkansas Traveler for Sears.

I have read and heard about the elevation issues with our outboards and how you need to adjust the carb jets accordingly otherwise they run real bad. So with adjusting the jets for the elevation, do you still lose top end speed?

So Jeff, since I am not a Hydrodyne owner you may wonder what I am doing here??? I am a stalker of sorts, on various boards, of "Classic Glass" owners that reside here in California. I am the keeper of the group email list of 200+ Californians to keep everyone up to date on gatherings throughout the year. There are a lot of people up in your area on my list and some are trying to get something together for next year whether it be a day trip or a weekend camping outting on an area lake as well as on the Delta.

I have been organizing a weekend at Lake San Antonio outside of Paso Robles for the past 5 years........Daniel and friends have attended for many years now. The record so far is 127+ people and 30+ boats in attendance. Many of those on my list, in your area, attended as well. You won't find a better group of people to spend a weekend with.

Daniel and Bryan will be organizing it for 2007! We reserve two group campsite areas and have a Tri-Tip/Chicken BBQ on Saturday night. I hope you will put on your calendar the weekend of July 6th - 8th 2007 and plan on joining us. If your Hydrodyne isn't ready, bring any of your boats! We would love to see them. Oh, and no restrictions on 2 strokes on my lake!

If you email me, I will put you on me email list to keep you informed of boating adventures for 2007.

Denise

Daniel - Have you confirmed with Bruce the BBQ'er for the 7th? Sent you a few emails too, did you get them?