1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

[muswell_hillbilly]

Hello -

Looking at purchasing my first boat - a 1997 Glastron GS180 Fish/Ski. I'm looking for some opinions on outboard motor size for this boat. The one I'm currently looking at has got a 90 HP Evinrude. I've seen others with 115, 130 & 150 HP. Is 90 undersized? I realize it probably depends on usage. We've got young kids and will likely use it mostly for tubing and fishing. Any general opinions about this boat?

Any input from the experienced is appreciated!

 

[krakatoa]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

well, If he boat is 18 as minimum you need a 115HP, I own a Glastron 19 with an OB 115, you can start from the with plenty of power, good luck my friend! and welcome to iboats!

 

[muswell_hillbilly]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

Thanks for that feedback! Since this is my first boat, I don't have any intuition into what is an appropriate size. The last thing I want is to make this rather sizeable purchase only to find out that I need a bigger motor. This is the only one I've seen in either 17' or 18' length with a 90 HP.

 

[slmiller1]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

yep, I've got a 1995 Glaston 19 SSV 19 foot w/ a 115 Evinrude o/b on it. It does about 45 top speed and gets out of the hole pretty good. Thinking about getting a new prop w/ better pulling power though...

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

First off my opinions on the boat, it ROCKS! roomy comphy and very smooth! I have the exact boat and I love it!!

Also agree you need at minimum 115 if possible. I have a 100 and would really like at least 15 more. It is rated to a 150hp. A ninety will be ok but as the kids get bigger you might want to think about repowering with something bigger. But to start you should be fine.
Welcome to I boats! and good luck!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

A 90 won't be too great on that boat. The formula often used on here is that you need to have 70% of the boat's max rated horsepower to achieve acceptable performance. Assuming the max is 150 that's 105. So given that, I'd think a 115 or better would be great.

 

[muswell_hillbilly]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

Thanks again to all for the feedback.

I contacted the seller again and basically set the stage for backing out of the deal. He understood, but suggested taking the boat for a test drive anyway. We're not waterskiiers (at least not now), but would like to be able to pull our young kids around on tubes. He said with current motor, it tops out at 36 MPH with 5 adults, which seems plenty fast for tubing! As for fishing (which we also plan to do alot of), motor size should not be an issue.

I know I should keep an eye to the future when the kids are bigger, but it seems like it would work for our needs now. The boat is in great condition, as I've looked at several of these Glastron Fish & Skis and decided this is the model I want.

So I'm going to take it on the water and see what happens!

Thanks again...

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

One of the nice things about an outboard is that you can upgrade relatively easily at some point in the future.

I would take the guy up on the offer to water test. If you are satsified go ahead and buy the boat. It does sound like it will fit your immediate needs pretty well.

After you have had the boat for a while and you find that you like the boat but wish you had more power. You can upgrade. It is likely that you could sell the 90hp motor and buy a 115 or 140 that will bolt right on to the boat without a huge loss of money. Those 2 stroke V4 OMCs are pretty easy to find and they all seem to be worth about the same amount of money. A used 140 the same age/condition as the 90 may bring an additional $500-$1000 at the most if it was sold by a private seller.

In the OMC 2stroke world, once you get to 150hp you are into the V6 motor.
It is bigger and more expensive.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

Well 36MPH is pretty much exactly what I figured it would do with that motor. So the seller is being honest and it sounds like the motor is running as it should, set up correctly and the boat isn't waterlogged.

I agree with RotaryRacer above. If it works for you then go for it!

 

[jdlough]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

The warning lable on towable tubes says tow kids 15MPH max, and adults 20MPH max.

You should be fine.

If you find that it's hard to stay on plane at a speed slow enough for the little kids, you may want to install Smart Tabs. One of their many benefits is that they let you stay on plane at a lower speed.

Just search the forum for "Smart Tabs" and you'll find tons of info.

BTW, Looking back while driving the boat, it appeared that 15-20MPH was a bit slow, giving them a boring ride (So occasionally, I juiced it up to 25 or so). Turns out, NO. Going fast just scarred the heck outta them and blew water spray in their faces, and going slower gave them a bigger wake to have fun in. Going slow, with lots of turns, was the most fun for kids and adults.

Jim

 

[muswell_hillbilly]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

Just to close out this thread, we took to the boat for a test drive and were quite pleased with its performance. Over 30 mph with 3 adults & 4 kids. We're now boat owners! Of course, now I've inherited some issues with gauges, but that's for another forum!

Thanks to everyone for their input!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

Great to hear! Congrats on being a new boater. Let's see some pics!

 

[Nico2112]

Re: 1997 Glastron GS180 Motor Size?

Congratulations on your new boat

Welcome to the Glastron "mafia"

Yup, we want pics!!