Underpowered?

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BigJ08

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Sep 18, 2008
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308
Looking at an older ('70's) model glastron, 17.5ft model. The package comes with a 50 johnson, doesn't run btw, and that just seems a little underpowered to me. My current boat is 15.5ft and has a similar year 65 evinrude, and I think it's perfectly powered. Any thoughts? The price is right to start with and the guy seems willling to deal, could be a winter project.
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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Dec 1, 2005
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Re: Underpowered?

I think it is underpowered too...a 50 is not going to push a 17.5 very fast.
That boat would probably do much better with at least a 90hp.
 
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Smallboatmech18

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Re: Underpowered?

you can pull more out of those 50's than you think. we run 55's where i work and they rip. the biggest issue would be your drive and what prop modifications you can do with the gearing in the lower gearcase. plus projects are always a blast especially when you get more money out of them in the end.
 
Yepblaze

Yepblaze

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Re: Underpowered?

The last vintage Glasstron that went through here was pretty well water logged, and rotten when I cut it up.

Check it out good if you plan on using the hull.
 
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BigJ08

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Re: Underpowered?

Yeah I kinda figured......... I'm actually looking back at the pics and it really doesn't look 17.5ft, but motor is definately a 50. The price is almost too good though, if its in as good a shape as he claims :).
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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Re: Underpowered?

I used to have a 76 model Glastron 17.5 with a 75 Merc pushing it.
It was ok but with more than 2 people it was pretty slow to get out of the hole.
If i can remember correctly that boat was rated for about 125 hp.
 
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Smallboatmech18

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Re: Underpowered?

think too if its in good shape and you have to get the motor running anyways the only difference between a 50 and 55 or 60 is carburation and jetting. along with hotter plugs and smart fuel oil mixture you would have a clean running boat. maybe not a competitive race machine but definately an enjoyable cruise boat or even fishing boat.
 
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BigJ08

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Re: Underpowered?

Smallboatmech18 said:
you can pull more out of those 50's than you think. we run 55's where i work and they rip. the biggest issue would be your drive and what prop modifications you can do with the gearing in the lower gearcase. plus projects are always a blast especially when you get more money out of them in the end.
Click to expand...

Yeah i figured i could try using a different prop as that worked wonders on my current boat. And your right about making money on projects, this is definately a possibility if i could get the motor running easily.

Yepblaze said:
The last vintage Glasstron that went through here was pretty well water logged, and rotten when I cut it up.

Check it out good if you plan on using the hull.
Click to expand...

Well aware of old boats and their waterlogged ways, but appreciate the heads up. The guy claims its only been sitting outside for the last two months and the floor/transom is solid. Always loved the looks of the old glastrons over the cookie cutter trihulls.
 
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BigJ08

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Re: Underpowered?

Gary H NC said:
I used to have a 76 model Glastron 17.5 with a 75 Merc pushing it.
It was ok but with more than 2 people it was pretty slow to get out of the hole.
If i can remember correctly that boat was rated for about 125 hp.
Click to expand...

Well your boat was probably really similar to this one, as the guy says the boat and motor are both "mid 70's" and the pictures agree with this. The fact that yours was a dog out of the hole makes me think though....

Smallboatmech18 said:
think too if its in good shape and you have to get the motor running anyways the only difference between a 50 and 55 or 60 is carburation and jetting. along with hotter plugs and smart fuel oil mixture you would have a clean running boat. maybe not a competitive race machine but definately an enjoyable cruise boat or even fishing boat.
Click to expand...

Yeah I feel ya on that, I like to go fast though! LOL. But seriously, I think I'd find myself wanting more power as I like to pull skiers/tubes in the summer time, any other time, it'd just be another fishin' boat.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

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Re: Underpowered?

glastrons kind of over rated there transoms, lots of failures.
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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Re: Underpowered?

That old Glastron i had years ago was a really good boat though.
I liked the looks of them and still see one once in awhile on our lake.

I used it for several years and sold it for more than i paid for it.
If the hull is good and the price is right i would buy it...;)
 
Frank Acampora

Frank Acampora

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Re: Underpowered?

IMHO: The 70s were the prettyest, classiest, sexyest ones ever made. If the hull is a V170 something, it is a 17 footer ie: 153, 156, 163, 166 173, 176 etc. The hulls were USUALLY 9 inches longer than claimed length. If it is a 17 footer, you will not be happy with the 50 unless all you want to do is putter and fish. That hull is rated somewhere near 125-135 and you will be most satisfied with anything from 100 on up.

If you like the lines of the hull, buy it but be forewarned: Early Glastrons were known to rot out floors so you may end up replacing it. No matter what the owner says----
 
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BigJ08

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Re: Underpowered?

tashasdaddy said:
glastrons kind of over rated there transoms, lots of failures.
Click to expand...

Good to know, although I don't think the 50 will rip the transom off :p.

Gary H NC said:
That old Glastron i had years ago was a really good boat though.
I liked the looks of them and still see one once in awhile on our lake.

I used it for several years and sold it for more than i paid for it.
If the hull is good and the price is right i would buy it...;)
Click to expand...

Yeah I really like the looks of them. I'm pretty sure if I could get the motor running by the end of the winter (guy said it last ran 3 months ago, of course I would do all necessary tests before buying) I could turn around and sell it and make a little on it. Of course there's always the chance I fall in love with it and sell my other boat to keep this one LOL. I mean at the price he's asking I could part it out and get my money back easy.

Frank Acampora said:
IMHO: The 70s were the prettyest, classiest, sexyest ones ever made. If the hull is a V170 something, it is a 17 footer ie: 153, 156, 163, 166 173, 176 etc. The hulls were USUALLY 9 inches longer than claimed length. If it is a 17 footer, you will not be happy with the 50 unless all you want to do is putter and fish. That hull is rated somewhere near 125-135 and you will be most satisfied with anything from 100 on up.

If you like the lines of the hull, buy it but be forewarned: Early Glastrons were known to rot out floors so you may end up replacing it. No matter what the owner says----
Click to expand...

Well I do probably 80-90% fishing, which doesn't leave much pulling tubes but when you need that extra power you really need it. Good to know about those floors. When I do go look I'll be sure to bring along my handy dandy rubber mallet :).
 
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