just bought a 1978 17' arrow glass cheetah

turborich

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 29, 2008
Messages
132
Just got this 1978 arrow glass cheetah 17 footer.

It's an old boat but has potential. It's a 1978 17' arrow glass cheetah, It's in pretty good shape for it's age with the exception of the outdrive. Anyways, It has a GM/Mercruiser 165 HP inline 6 with a mercruiser outdrive.

The prop spins freely whether it's in nuetral or forward/reverse & there is gear oil leaking out of the lower weep hole. I knew about this before I bought it, The seller tried to play dumb but I knew what was up. Anyways, I figure that either the gears or drive shaft is destroyed, or there may be a very small chance that the unit is stuck in nuetral & the seals are just bad. (not likely though) The shifter/throttle is currently stuck in forward all of the way. I will check out why tomorrow.

I am hoping that one of the boat savvy folks on here could provide a little info. It's a 1978 boat with the 165 hp inline 6, what exactly would this outdrive be referred to as? I think it's a bravo but not sure? I would like to know exactly what it's referred to as & know what years will interchange?

Since it's a 1978 boat & I got it for a very good price, at least I think so $300 bucks. I won't be looking to buy a rebuilt $1,800 unit! I will just keep an eye open for a good deal.

Here's some of the stuff the boat has. It included a very nice well built trailer with the moon style wheels & flush mount style lights, this looks like it's worth the $300 bucks alone. The boat itself has a am/fm CD player with a pair of 6 1/2" speakers. Nothing fancy but it works. It has two halogen head/spot lights, all of the gadgets like the bildge pump & blower motor work. It also has two neat compartments under the front seats where cold drinks or maybe fish can be stored? I'm not sure. It also has a really neat steering wheel that looks to be either stainless or aluminum & teak wood.

It needs some cleaning & refurbishing but it will get there!!! Anyways, thanks for listening to my ramble & thanks for any info that you can provide.

Thanks, Rich

Here are some pics, Please keep in mind that it's been sitting in the sellers back yard for a while, soon it will look much happier!

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tboltmike

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
340
Re: just bought a 1978 17' arrow glass cheetah

I have a 1975 Cheetah, but it is an O/B, 115 Johnnie, the origianal engine.

It is an honest old boat, solid, dry ride, stable.

See our webpage http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Arrow_Glass_Boats/

there are several cheetahs pictured and one is original.

Mike
 

arrowglass165

Recruit
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
3
Re: just bought a 1978 17' arrow glass cheetah

I have a 76 Cheetah with the 165hp GM 250. Min has a Mercruiser outboard drive. You can find lower end outdrive rebuild kits on Ebay for pretty cheep. It's referred to as a 1st generation mercruiser and the Alpha is identical.
 
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