Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

[samstutz]

I have been looking at upsizing to a bigger boat. I have a 17 foot runabout with a mercruiser 3.0 alpha drive. Looked at a Glastron GX 225 or a GX 235 with mercruiser 5.7 carb alpha 1. Any ideas or experience with Glastron? Good and bad welcomed.

 

[DJ]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

I always liked Glastrons. In the early days they were very innovative.

 

[skategoat]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

I'm looking at the same boats. I like the VEC construction and the fact that they finish/gelcoat the engine bay, etc. It shows attention to detail. However, I'm not crazy about the fittings and quality of stainless steel. Maybe I'm being too picky.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

I've had a GX205 for about 2 yrs now and it has been great. IMHO, its a very nice boat for money. No, they aren't on par with Cobalt but my price tag was MUCH MUCH less. There have been several similar threads here, use the search function and you'll find lots of good info.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

I love my '72 CV-16.

 

[vista4u2]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

I like my Glastron, but my goodness is it heavy. Kind of reminds me of cruising in a Caddilac or Lincoln, as compared to a typical mid size sedan or equivalent.

 

[quebec#1]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

glastron always made a quality boat and im goin on my 21th year with mine ...

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

I would strongly suggest looking at MPI as opposed to th carbed version. I believe a 5.0MPI is about the same hp as the 5.7 carb and about the same price. I know the 4.3MPI is the exact same hp as the 5.0 carbed motor. You'll be much happier with fuel injection.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

I have over 100 hours on my 2003 glastron175sx.<br />It is a beginer model and didn't cost that much but it is well made and has given me no problems.<br />I had one sensor go bad on the motor but that was mercruiser not the boat. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[KCook]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

Dunno that there is much VEC in Glastron models as large as boating rookie is talking about. HotByte is right about there being few builders at the Glastron price level, especially in these larger size boats.<br /><br />The 225 is a bowrider, here is another thread on the larger bowriders -<br /><br /> Trailer Boats Boards » ... » New Boat Advice <br /><br />But the 235 is a deckboat, which is really a whole other topic. Another thread on deckboats -<br /><br /> Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions? <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[blifsey]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

Just surfed the Glastron site a little...<br />They no longer show a GX225 bowrider...they show a GX235 bowrider. The deckboat is a DX235.<br /><br />On the VEC issue, I think Kelly has nailed it. When I pulled up the GX205 and lower models, it had a big VEC logo at top. The GX235 and GX255 didn't. I didn't see the VEC logo on any of the deckboats...just the GX and SX (including Fish and Ski models).

 

[KCook]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

They no longer show a GX225 bowrider...they show a GX235 bowrider. The deckboat is a DX235.

Oops! That is what I get for using the Glastron '03 catalog. The GX235 bowrider must be new for '04.<br /><br />Never mind,<br />Kelly

 

[blifsey]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

They probably stretched the swim platform 6"!

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

Ain't that the truth! I see most of the companies are even including the length of bolt on swim platforms in the overall length! Like that's going to make it run like a longer boat.

 

[samstutz]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

Thanks for the info. I will do a search and read on. Did not know about this site until last month. I believe we will go with a 2003 GX225.

 

[studiomorphic]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

I have a 2002 GX225 and its awesome. Not too big. Not too small. comfortable and reliable.

 

[1LSUFAN]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

I have a Larson 204 escape OB. Larson and Glastron is the same company. I am having problems with the transom. The boat is an 07 with the new vec process. My transom developed crackes near the motor mounts. It was fixed once locally under warranty soon after the same problem. Larson shipped the boat up to the factory and repaired it directly. Within an hour of use same problem. Right know I'm at a point I just don't want the boat, its been one issue after another between trailer problems, electircal and the transom. This is my fourth boat I normally expect some imperfections we all know that QC is not up there with auto yet. this is just unacceptable.

 

[thenephilim]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

i work at a freightliner dealership in abilene, tx. i just bought a 1968 15' glastron from one of my parts guys for $200. the floor and seats were rotted (of course, it sat for 9 years under some trees before i bought it) but i have since removed floor and am currently in the reinstalling process. while floor was removed, i thoroughly inspected the hull and it is in great shape. have had no problems as of yet. will be putting down the foam bricks, plywood floor and building seats this weekend. this boat originally came with some type of inboard motor but has since been converted to a 1975 evinrude outboard. after that motor sat for 9 years, it fired right up once i got gas to it and cleaned the carb. love the boat, cant wait to take it out on the water.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

4 year old post...

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Glastron boats - good/bad experience??

What a bummer from the 1lsufan...our first family boat in the 70's was a glastron with a 70 Evinrude. Three teenagers couldn't kill that thing. Just not makin em the way they used to. My buddies 19' Key West with a Honda did the same thing. Lost about two months with the repair. That was two years ago and it's held up. Sometimes an older "settled in" boat is a good buy. Just picked up a 35th anniversary (1993) Renken 1880 to rebuild and decided to keep her. Great hull, good flare, solid floors and a Yammy.