I have been looking at photos of Hydrodynes on this website even before I got my '76. Their grace, beauty, and style captured my attention since the first time I saw one on Conneaut Lake, a sleepy relatively small lake in Western Pennsylvania. At that time there was but one Dyne on the lake and it was awesome, an 18 footer with a 225 Etec and an attitude. Since then, an 18' I/O which has been seen on this site had been introduces as well. Then I came along with a run down '76 Dyne with an equally run down 200hp Johnson. Since then these boats have been worked on and built back to awesome condition. They turn heads of all the Moomba and Master Craft owners and everyone with a taste for cool boats. There is no reason or goal to this post, but I just thought someone might enjoy some of the photos I've taken over those years.
Thanks for posting! The pics help keep me motivated on my rebuild. I was hoping to see a shot of the boat with the gold flake deck that I had seen in your avatar ..... I am going to try and do my deck in blue flake and I keep thinking I might just chicken out and paint it white. The pics encourage me. Bernie
Bernie, The vents that you sent to me are for the 77 I/O shown on the pictures. The cowl became airborne as it traveled I79 southbound and almost disintegrated upon impact with the highway. The cowl was rebuilt, but the vents were assumed into the landscape never to be seen again. Your's were quite a gift and we truly appreciate it. The gold flake on my boat and was a color offered by Crosby when the boat was purchased. I was considering painting over the fake, but I have changed my mind with the renovation of my boat. The nickname for my Dyne is Elvis. At least that's what it's been known as, and I've really grown to like that. The gold flake is a contributing part of that. It is seriously oxidized and I am at odds as to what i should do about it, but Elvis has been gutted, new transom, new floor, and new seats, and lots of engine work. The Johnson is a 76 and has been lovingly worked on over the years. It isn't an Etec or 383 stroker, but it runs like it's ass is on fire and it makes my heart pound. I can honestly say that I have the biggest Johnson on the lake. (But I digress). Anyway, thanks for your contribution to the survival of yet another Dyne, and please explore the metal flake finish for your boat. You can always paint it white, but why would you..... Thanks Bernie. (very much) Ed Ed
Well if it means anything I think it would be sacrilege to change Elvis' gold flake. It is one of the coolest color combs on this site. We have a couple of things in common. The cowl on mine also blew off during trailering when the previous owner had it. Much bodywork to get it nearly back in shape. I also have an affinity for 1970s OMC motors. I skied for years with a Glastron and an OMC V4. It is hard to overstate the worth of a big old Johnson...(now I digress....) A 16 foot Glastron with a 135 was a nice ski rig back in the day if you couldn't afford a tournament rig. We couldn't....that's why I want to save my old junker....reliving my mis spent youth. I used to run the course shortline as a young man. Now I'll be happy if I can get up on 2.....and teach my grand children what we did before wake boards were invented.
I ski'd behind anything that would float when I was a kid, even if it had oars, (made for a long day). We were not awash with money as the ski clique is today, but I had a great life. I would have done anything to own a serious ski boat when I was a kid and thought I was in hog heaven when my dad came up with a 50's something Chris Craft with a 95 hp motor. It was absolutely beautiful, but a ski boat, not so much. But all in all, I loved it. Elvis has changed my life, for the good. and, I've got more fotos as well. By the way, I can't help but to throw in a picture of my Lab, James Dean.
Wow. I guess it is a small world. I grew up in SW Florida ( Charlotte Co.) and we also started with a 50s woodie, THompson lap strake with a Johnson 75. MAN would that old boat lay up on her side when you cranked the wheel! When my best friends mom bought a Glastron we were in heaven. Two other buddies parents bought used Glastrons and I could bum a ride almost any day. We ran a lawn mowing service to feed the ski boat. BTW love the pics. Great shot of your lab...and that IO of yours looks great with the bow pointed toward space. Looks like its a bad a$$....mines just a six cylinder....
13 foot boat 22hp. It has been a while, but I think it does about 30. The hp rating may be a bit conservative. I still have it. I have a '49 4 cyl opposed Evinrude for it--50 hp. It is not currently running. jim
