I was looking at some local want ads and to my surprise there was a 1973 Howard Shovelnose Hydro!! I was like HOTDAMN!! See im from Pennsylvania and Jetboats and especially v-drives are rare. 90% of the boaters on the lakes and rivers have no idea what a v-drive even is and finding one for sale is like finding a needle in a haystack.
It has a nice trailer, Nice looking small block 350 with Bassetts like new. MSD, and Beautiful paint for 6500.00 OBO I was going to go offer him 5500.00 and give up on my schiada flat project, pull the small block, sell it for $1500.00 to my buddy. Use the guages, steering wheel, bezels, new imco t tank, etc in the hydro.
QUESTION: Is the howard a nice hydro, is it a good boat?? Ill be using it once in a blue moon on the river and just want a fast clean boat and ive always wanted a hydro. It has inboard steering, is that ok?? benefits/drawbacks??