I bought a new HPV 172 with a 175 HP Evinrude plus a EZ Loader trailer in 1982. The following year I added a Evinrude 24 volt bow mounted trolling motor. I loved that boat. It was stable, very fast to plain with a top speed in the sixty’s. That was a fast boat in those days. Used for fishing, it was incredible. I spent many a hour fishing from the bow seat. I’m not sure how your engine is set up. I added a stainless prop (SST) that made a world of difference in the boats performance. With a aluminum prop the boat would top out about 50. With the stainless prop I was able to mount the motor higher then while running I could trim the motor out lifting the hull producing much faster speeds. I remember the only issue could be chin walking, at full speed, that could scare the crap out of you. The boat never gave me any problems. I sold it after about ten years to buy a boat that had a cabin. Looking back now I wish I hadn’t sold it. I stayed in upstate NY on freshwater lakes until the early 2000’s before moving to coastal FL. It would not have lasted long in saltwater. I never kept in touch with the guy I sold it to but I think it could still be on the water, at least I hope so
Dude, you should have totally covered bottom of the hull, when painting that trailer. Keep putting more coats of resin top coat to the top cap. Make it illustrious, and replace that rubber side molding guard. Get a Bob's marine jack plate, and raise that motor up. Then repaint the motor with all original paint schemes. Take your time here. Put a custom prop on it.
Years ago I had a 1990 Bass Cat I bought new, but the 150 Evinrude started looking old, I removed the decals had new ones made exactly like the ones it had but had them made a little bigger, picked a different color but close to factory, it was a Saturn car color, silver blue metallic, man that motor looked sharp,, you should do the same, my boat was blue and silver ,, I now on a 20ft Bullet bass boat with a Mercury 225 sports XS 84mph!
You boat came out beautiful. I have a few questions. How hard was the gelcoat to work with rolling on? And what brand of clear gelcoat did you use? And do you have bass in Idaho? Just wondering because I live in Texas. Great video beautiful boat. Phil
Hey. I have a 1976 Terry Bass boat that I have used on Lake Lowell for about 6 years. I want to restore the bottom and the green metal flake. I am in Boise and could really use some of your advice on the electronics. I love this boat and want it to survive. I have a 115 HP Johnston. Runs great. Lets talk. I love that you rolled the gel coat. I may do that myself.
