Gale 35hp

[clarkandamber]

I bought a 1960 gale 35hp and a 12.5' fiberglass boat last fall. Motor seems to run fine here at home and my boat is rated for a 40hp. I was wondering if this motor and boat combo would be powerful enough to pull a skiier or wakeboarder? I don't have GPS so how can I test the top speed on this thing? Any idea's on how fast it might go? I don't want to kill myself first day on the lake. Any input would be greatly appriciated! thx

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Gale 35hp

I have a 25Hp (same make and vintage) on an 11 footer and it'll pull me up on slalom. <br /><br />It depends on the weight of the boat, the prop, and frankly Your weight. But generally, yes. You can get a conventional speedometer. Lower 30s.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Gale 35hp

Sir, you will have no problem at all. Like Willy said, (between the lines) you have plenty of hp......now you aren't going to be skiing barefoot and all, but you have enough power to have fun.<br /><br />As a kid (teen) I skied behind the 'Rude Lighttwin (18 hp).<br /><br />Mark

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Gale 35hp

we learned to ski behind a home made wooden boat, with a 1950 15hp rude tiller control.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Gale 35hp

Hey Tas,<br /><br />About your homemade wooden boat. I needed a boat for this 18 and I decided to build my own (before I bought the one I skied behind). Being a mid teen with no money and tools, I did the best I could; oak frames and 3/8 marine plywood, Valpar, I think, purple marine glue and all.<br /><br />Couldn't get the bow to come in right (had no clamps) so I just cut it off, blunt like a john, not pointed like originally planned.<br /><br />The boat was so sturdy the weight was prohibitive. I could hardly get it to plane with my 'rude 18. Don't remember now what ever happeded to that boat.<br /><br />Mark

 

[Solittle]

Re: Gale 35hp

In case you were not aware Gale was made by OMC as a market attempt at an economy line. I had a lot of fun completely rebuilding one many years ago.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Gale 35hp

Hey SoLittle,<br /><br />Somewhere around here I read the history about the Gale production. Seems they were supplying things to OMC at times and weren't necessarily made exactly like the OMC's. Some things, they said, were better.<br /><br />Mark