Frustrated Soldier
New member
The Back Story.
We were in AZ for a family reunion on the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] of July and it just so happens that my brother in law after hearing my ranting on wanting to buy a boat gave us his boat. Now don’t get too excited, as you probably have already figured out this is a 1984 17’ Galaxy (brown/tan), 3L 4Cyl engine. Now we took the boat with the understanding that the floor was rotten and would need replacing, and knowing that all the upholstery would also need replacing (for which I have bought 18 yards of material and 5 sheets of marine grade ply-wood). That being said the boat fired right up, and we were told that just in 2009 the whole engine and outdrive had been gone through and inspected by “experts”. Now flash forward two weeks, we clean the boat up with a little elbow grease and a lot of mildew remover, and were excited about getting it on the lake. So the short seven minute drive and were backing the boat into the water.
Things that make you go “What The F%#$”!
We spend roughly 4 hours having a good time just cruising around the lake stopping occasionally to take a swim and swapping the kids out on the inter-tube. After we were all sun burnt and ready for a beer, we start heading back to the launch. Here is where it gets exciting; cruising at around 3500-4000 RPMs we’re moving at a good clip. The boat is up on plane and despite a stiff throttle the boat handles great. Then all of a sudden it feels like the boat was thrown into neutral. I grab the throttle and pull it down to neutral and examine the gauges the out drive and everything seems fine. I put it back in gear and start to slowly increase the throttle. At 2800 RPMs the boat does it again. Repeat about three more times (mumbling every profanity know to man and probably a few I had just invented) until I figured out that I could still make it back to the launch at 2500 RPMs. I pushed the throttle to this speed and limped back to the launch. The boat cruises at low speeds just fine but won’t go past 2500 without feeling like it was thrown into neutral.
5 Stages of Grief.
Of course I probably spent more time on the anger stage than I would like to admit, but now I’m at acceptance and ready to move on. I loaded the boat on the trailer, and haven’t touched it since. So now having free time from the army, I figured that I would ask you all what you think the problem is and possibly tackle it this weekend.
The Million Dollar Question.
Why does my OMC disengage at more than 2500 RPMs, and is there a relatively easy (and preferably cheap as far as boats go) fix. I have been told that it may just be a problem with the cable and it just may need a little adjustment. Keep in mind that I am a firm believer in the “Kiss” rule so I want to start with the simplest fixes first.
I’ll Make You Feel Real Good!
Ok, get your minds out of the gutter, I would really appreciate any help with this problem and willingly give my gratitude in full to anyone who can help. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read the ramblings of a frustrated soldier.
We were in AZ for a family reunion on the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] of July and it just so happens that my brother in law after hearing my ranting on wanting to buy a boat gave us his boat. Now don’t get too excited, as you probably have already figured out this is a 1984 17’ Galaxy (brown/tan), 3L 4Cyl engine. Now we took the boat with the understanding that the floor was rotten and would need replacing, and knowing that all the upholstery would also need replacing (for which I have bought 18 yards of material and 5 sheets of marine grade ply-wood). That being said the boat fired right up, and we were told that just in 2009 the whole engine and outdrive had been gone through and inspected by “experts”. Now flash forward two weeks, we clean the boat up with a little elbow grease and a lot of mildew remover, and were excited about getting it on the lake. So the short seven minute drive and were backing the boat into the water.
Things that make you go “What The F%#$”!
We spend roughly 4 hours having a good time just cruising around the lake stopping occasionally to take a swim and swapping the kids out on the inter-tube. After we were all sun burnt and ready for a beer, we start heading back to the launch. Here is where it gets exciting; cruising at around 3500-4000 RPMs we’re moving at a good clip. The boat is up on plane and despite a stiff throttle the boat handles great. Then all of a sudden it feels like the boat was thrown into neutral. I grab the throttle and pull it down to neutral and examine the gauges the out drive and everything seems fine. I put it back in gear and start to slowly increase the throttle. At 2800 RPMs the boat does it again. Repeat about three more times (mumbling every profanity know to man and probably a few I had just invented) until I figured out that I could still make it back to the launch at 2500 RPMs. I pushed the throttle to this speed and limped back to the launch. The boat cruises at low speeds just fine but won’t go past 2500 without feeling like it was thrown into neutral.
5 Stages of Grief.
Of course I probably spent more time on the anger stage than I would like to admit, but now I’m at acceptance and ready to move on. I loaded the boat on the trailer, and haven’t touched it since. So now having free time from the army, I figured that I would ask you all what you think the problem is and possibly tackle it this weekend.
The Million Dollar Question.
Why does my OMC disengage at more than 2500 RPMs, and is there a relatively easy (and preferably cheap as far as boats go) fix. I have been told that it may just be a problem with the cable and it just may need a little adjustment. Keep in mind that I am a firm believer in the “Kiss” rule so I want to start with the simplest fixes first.
I’ll Make You Feel Real Good!
Ok, get your minds out of the gutter, I would really appreciate any help with this problem and willingly give my gratitude in full to anyone who can help. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read the ramblings of a frustrated soldier.