1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

[Mitytim]

Well, thanks for taking the time to look at my post. I have a guy that is selling a 78 Galaxy 18' with a mercruiser 120. It has been sitting in Michigan for about 2 years and not run. It seem to start without much trouble. The floors seem solid no tears in the white seats. Let it run for about 10 minutes and the temp didnt go above 140 which is probably good. I did notice water shooting up from the transum arear into the engine compartment. Not a lot, but a little bit of a spray. Where would this be coming from??? Also, the lower unti was making some noise, but when I increased the rpm it seemed to somewhat dissapear. It didnt seem like the trim buttons were working, but didnt spend that much time with it. He wants 500 for the whole kit and kaboodle. Trailor is in good shape and the boat overall seems pretty clean. What else should I be checking out. Engine sounded good, but no one seems to know hours etc. Is it worth 500 and can a new guy get her Lake Erie worthy in time for Walleye???
Thanks so much... Tim

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

Is it worth 500 and can a new guy get her Lake Erie worthy in time for Walleye???

Ayuh,... It's worth that much as Parts,.... 'ell, you could Make money on it....

Up in the Adults Only section at the topof the forum, there's links to the factory Manuals,+ a Bunch of other Great Knowledge to help you figure out What's, What...

I'd think an 18'er is about the Minimum boat I'd wanta be out there in,...
Mines a 22'er,+ I boat on Ontario....I see a 25'er in the near future,...

 

[Don S]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

Is it worth 500 and can a new guy get her Lake Erie worthy in time for Walleye???

With enough money, anything is possible. But no one knows your abilities and mechanical skills and the actual condition of the engine and drive.
The engine and drive is all this forum is about.
I learned boating on lake Erie. They didn't name it ERIE for nothing Learn boating somewhere a little clamer, or go out on calm days only (NO WIND) till you learn the ways of the lake, it WILL kill you if you don't understand it.
I learned the lake while riding a 41' Coast Guard boat, my brother was the cockswain of the boat. Went from dead calm to 14' waves in a couple of hours. 4 dead from a 25' boat. I started out as a passanger on a 2 hour tour. Helped in the search & rescue and learned a lot that day.

 

[Mitytim]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

Thanks for all your advice. Believe it or not, my first trip on lake erie was with a 16' canoe with a 6 horse on it. I wondered why people looked at us so funny. Got almost to Ohio, and then the weather started to change. I was so thankful that I made it back alive. It was an unbelievable experience and one that I never wanted to repeat.

What would cause a bit of water to be spraying in the engine compartment when the engine is running??? It wasn't a huge amount, but enough that I would want fixed before I take it out on any lake. I did buy the boat, but we had to send out for a lost title, so it will be a week or so before its actually mine. He did say I could take it whenever I wanted. I am sure I will be on here quite a bit once its in the yard for advice.
Thanks to all of ya. Tim

 

[Don S]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

What would cause a bit of water to be spraying in the engine compartment when the engine is running???

Start it up, open the hatch and LOOK !!!!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

Your going to be lucky making 25 mph with that motor in that boat. And that was at wot. Running a 15 pitch prop.

How i know ? I have the same hull different maker is all, and i could just barely make 25 mph alone with a half a tank of gas.

If i had 4 people on board i had to run a 11 pitch prop just to plane and get it to turn 3900 rpm. Choppy water was the scary part, cause it would barely make it up the waves if 4'.

With the 140 and the extra 20 hp makes all the difference believe me.

That 120 running perfect is underpowered for that boat.
It's a good heavy hull and tracks good rides good, just needs a 3.0.
Maybe you can drop in a 140 otherwise pass.

 

[Mitytim]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

Thanks Chief, but I think too little too late, I dun bought the farm (boat). Don't have it yet, but I told him I would when the title came in, and I am of the old school of "a man is only as good as his word". This is a V-hull and not the tri but it sounds like pulling skiers is out. Oh well, hopefully it will hold my limit of fish. ;-) I will let you know more about it and the problems that I am sure I will find once I get it in my yard. Thanks again, Tim

 

[Mitytim]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

Hi Don. I did, but couldn't tell. I didn't have a flashlight and it was coming in quite low behing some lines, but when I get it over to my place I will get some better light on the situation. Just thought it might be something common. I'll let you know in a week or so. Thanks, Tim

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

I would cut my hand off before i went back on my word. So i understand. I still got a ton of stuff for the 120 i dumped. I stripped the block.

And i have a perfect head for it also.

 

[bigbob_FTW]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

I have the 120 in a 16ft boat. Its no speed demon, but its perfect for this size. It has a 19p prop that gets me 4100 rpm and about 38 mph. I really should go with a 17 to get the rpm's up a little, but that will have to wait.

 

[Mitytim]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

Thanks. Once I get this thing over here (hopefully this weekend) I will start to go through it and see what it needs. Ya never know, I might be talking to you about parts...

 

[Mitytim]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

There is currently a prop on the boat, and then one under the middle seat. When I get it, I will check out the pitch. Thanks for your advice...
Tim

 

[Mitytim]

Re: 1978 Galaxy 18' Newbie

Thanks Big Bob. I brought the boat home and had to cover it up right away. We were suppose to have 3 more inches of snow last night, but it missed us and we only got rain....so far. The prop that is currently on the boat is a 19 pitch, so that might be pretty good. I forgot to look at the one under the seat, but I have to assume that the last owner liked the 19 better than the one not on the boat. Thanks and happy boating.