is this a hydroplane worth restoring

[hydroplane junky]

i got a 1970's ebko hydroplane in need of complete re-coring the hull is made of 2 fiber glass layers with a layer of balsa in the middle it will cost me 1200-1500 to do it myself and 2000-2200 for a pro to do it so my qu is is it worth fixing or not and if it is whats a good motor to put on it i was thinking 75h or 150hp merc.

[B Walker]

No, it is probably not

High quality ready to race hydroplanes are often available here on Hydroracer for little more than the cost of the hardware.

Every month boats are offered for sale here in the 1000-1200 range that are race ready and competitive and as fast at you want, some over 100 MPH.

I think you are underestimating the cost to repair the Ebko but thats not important, you still have to rig it, thats 500-1000 more. For the materials and rigging cost you can practically get a brand new hydroplane custom made right now.

I think your going about this the wrong way. Find a motor first, then a boat to fit it. Motors are expensive, boats are cheap.

BW

[johnsonm50]

I agree about not going with the fiberglass boat. To go fast they generally need more hp & if FG was really so good most of the wood hydros of today would be glass, only a few are. Composite's are a different story but that looks to be common polyester resin & glass. The wood that is used to frame & support glass boats is prone to rot, generally not done very well & difficult to replace. On the upside there sure are alot of cool looking boats like that. Cool looking on the other hand doesn't mean functionally sound. Overpowering that would probably be a bad idea, more suitable to cruising.

[Guest]

Firewood!

[raceright]

Firewood!

Thats funny Bill.
Say it like its you always did.

[hydroplane junky]

thanks guys i bought mostly for the trailer 300 bucks so i got a great trailer but i checked the prices and 1200-1500 if i did it and 2000-2200 if a boat builder/friend did it for me. and 1000-1500 to put in the refabed seats and 2000 for a motor i thought it was to much thanks for your answer i will just junk it like you guys posted.

[B Walker]

I like the way fiberglass burns, just dont stand downwind.

BW

[sam]

i got a 1970's ebko ... is it worth fixing or not and if it is whats a good motor to put on it i was thinking 75h or 150hp merc.

The EBKO pop of the Carlson. Worth doing as a personal project for someone who doesn't have to ask this kind of question, but doubtful otherwise. If you got it for the trailer, you might be able to sell it on Screamandfly for a few hundred bucks

A 75H won't fit on that transom and wouldn't have enough power to push it, it was made for 100+ hp V-4's & big inline 6's

a 75H would be a $5,000 motor, well out of the price range that seems to be of interest here

[hydroplane junky]

OK that's what i was thinking thanks for the reply sam