Can anyone identify this boat????

[Rusty Bucket]

Hi.

Im new to these forums and I could do with a little help. After a few years without a boat, I recently purchased this 17ft boat with the intention of doing some fishing. Unfortunately I have no idea who the manufacturer is (the guy I bought it off mentioned "Hydover" or, maybe "Hidover") but I cannot find anything on the internet.
I have a 75 horse outboard available which I would like to use, but I'm not too sure weather it may be a bit much for this hull.
Does anyone recognise the boat or know the manufacturer. I have seen a few that are similar but, frustratingly nothing which is an exact match.

Hope you can help
Rusty B

 

[rustybouy]

Not sure mate , but you'll be fine with that size of engine on

 

[contessaman]

looking through some 70s boating magazines of my dads, it looks a lot like a 'solar corsair'. there was also a 'solar jiffy' which was a little 14 footer. looks like a decently vee'd hull. the simulated clinker should help tp keep spray down. got a good bit of freeboard too in the cockpit. should be just the job for a spot of inshore fishing! too bad about the colour. the 70s had a lot to answer for!

 

[prv]

should be just the job for a spot of inshore fishing! too bad about the colour.

And the name

But yep, looks more seaworthy than what a lot of the anglers around here drift about in.

Pete

 

[contessaman]

And the name

hells bells! I didnt expand the image so I didnt see the name. I wonder what the previous owners did on board??!!

this is where we find out the OP gave it that name and I have to stick my foot in my mouth....

 

[contessaman]

sorry I cant help myself. Can I recommend some sort of ear protection to all those who come on board

 

[Rusty Bucket]

Thanks Guys

I found an old boatyard tag on it, the original name was "little duckling"! In my defence I bought it with the name on it. Contessaman, your foot is safe
I might have a little work on the tramsom before I put that 75 on it though......and change the name. There seem to be quite a few 70's boats out there with similar colurs schemes, I'll see if I still have my Dads 70's wet weather gear, everything should be OK then!!!!
Rusty B

 

[contessaman]

alright rusty but dont go the whole hog and wear the budgie smugglers okay? that said if oxwich bay is busy and you want to clear it out a good banana hammock might do the trick!!

Its so funny looking through the 70s adverts. they are all the same. incredibly ugly old man in speedos. brown/drab green speed boat and a handfull of hot women sprawled on the deck. The message is clear. Buy this boat / smoke these cigarettes and it doesnt matter what you look like the ladies wont be able to resist.
As a child of the 80s I cant possibly comment on the success or otherwise of the ford capri /speedboat combo on charming the opposite sex.
If only women today werent so sophisticated!

 

[toad]

Looks very similar to a Check Marine Barracuda built in Dunmow,Essex in the seventy's. I hade one with a 50hp no probs.

 

[Rusty Bucket]

Further reasearch has thrown up the name Hydrover and even a photo of a similar boat from the 70's with what looks like the same hull, but the topsides are still different.
Its been interesting trolling through loads of photos of 70's & 80's boats, quite amazing how far we have come really.
Anyone know their Hydrover history?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

hells bells! I didnt expand the image so I didnt see the name. I wonder what the previous owners did on board??!! ....

Now, I have to take up this Buggerlugs thingy that there was perhaps something up, some dastardly deed being done in the old lady. Bugger and Lugs refer to broken and ears, typically a mischievous kid who chooses not to pay attention and do what they are told. It's quite an affectionate term from a more innocent time.

Enjoy your boat and use a kill cord when motoring!