1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

[jdlough]

Hey,

I'm about to set up a time to go and see this boat. If the condition is good, the price seems not bad. I've been looking for months, and I don't want to get my hopes up again, but this may be the one. (Actually, I thought it was the standard Delaware too-good-to-be-true Craigslist scam, until an actual person contacted me) Here 'tis......

1999 Glastron 18ft, Model: GS180. The boat has a 1996 Johnson J150SLED-150HP outboard motor and 2003 18ft Venture Trailer. Has hydraulic steering, Stereo CD player,SS prop,Bimini top,snap on covers and low hours. Asking $5,900 or best offer.

An opinions? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[KCook]

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

I assume this 150 is a 2-stroke ....

That boat and motor should make a strong ski package. Any 2-stroke from that era is going to smoke a lot on a cold start. But otherwise, it should run strong. If you have ANY doubts about how this motor is running, make the sale conditional on a checkout by a qualified Johnson tech. Here is a link to another thread that may help -

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=255132

Kelly Cook

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Newer ski boats like that are tough to find with outboards. The outboard option costs considerably more when new. Looks like a great deal to me.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

I have this exact boat but a 1998 model. As far as I know there were no changes from 1998 to 1999.
This this is fantastic!!!!
Extremely roomy inside, very stable and very dry!

Boat rides like a Cadilac. This past weekend we covered about 100 miles in it with 4 people and a lab we were not cramped or overloaded, with that 150 it should really move. It is great to ski behind, the wide rear puts out a nice wake for tubes and other watersports.
All around a great package and if that motor checks out a good fair price, you probably can get them a bit lower if you try.

If you have any questions about it and characteristics I will be glad to try to help.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

I assume this 150 is a 2-stroke ....

Any 2-stroke from that era is going to smoke a lot on a cold start. But otherwise, it should run strong.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=255132

Kelly Cook

NO, NO, NO, I own a 1993 SSV190 Glastron with a 115HP Mariner Outboard 2Stroke never has smoked on cold starts. Obviously thisd depends If this engine have a VRO as mine ,deal with the gas/oil mix be sure to add the exact amount of oil to avoid any smoke. WHAT A GREAT DEAL GO FOR IT!

 

[jdlough]

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Well dang,

(this is a bit long, so if you have a boat, go fishing or something, or whatever you boat-owners do, [I think "House" is on TV now, it's the one where he almost killed that guy, then he got better or something], meanwhile....)

I saw the boat.

First, it is a CSX-18, not a GS180. It says so right on both sides in 4" high graphics. NADA says it's worth about $1500 less than the GS180.

The seat vinyl is shot. Foam sticking out of rotted-away sections. Like it was left outside uncovered the entire time he owned it (6 years). I asked about boat covers. He said they're in great shape - they're up in the attic. People amaze me.

The ski locker was full to the top with rain water. It doesn't drain.

The deck is fiberglass, which I didn't know could rot. It looks nice, but there is a removable 3' by about 5' deck panel, factory-screwed down right over the gas tank and curving up the front of the rear bench, that bounces like a trampoline when you walk on it. I guess it's fiberglass over rotted plywood. This was the deal-breaker.

He said he didn't do anything to the boat unless it broke. Then he had the marina fix the broken bit. He never had the cowling off the motor. No impeller change, no lower oil change, nothing. At least he was honest.

The boat itself is so nice (it looks like it's almost never been used - the motor and prop look almost new), that I was considering offering $4000 for it after having a marine surveyor look at the motor and under the deck (even though I'd never be sure of the stringers). Stupid risk, I know, but a Glastron with 150HP outboard, ss prop, fiberglass deck, HYDRAULIC STEERING? I'm still tempted. (Fun, but maybe disposable Glastron for $4000????) NO!!YESSS!!!NO!!!TEMPTED.......... NO!!!!!!!ARGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

(It's hard to walk away from your heart while you head is explaining why you should. I want that boat the way I IMAGINED it. Dang. Double-Dang. Triple-Dawg-dang. Dangit.)

Anyway, the wife noticed my distress, and the Coast Guard 1050lb passenger weight rating, and calculated the weight of our family. She now wants a bigger boat, and wants to double our budget for a nice one! She wants a boat in the water, not a boat in the shop. Yeah!!! Me too!!!!

So now I'm looking for an outboard-powered 19' or 20' deckboat.
(Maybe Tashasdaddy is getting tired of his...)

It's a shame about that Glastron. Thanks for your replies. We all like pics, so here's some...

(And whatever that fancy part of the vinyl that rots so easily, I hope the boat manufacturers stopped using it)

The search continues!

Jim

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Ugh! Why do people let nice boats go to sh!t for the simple lack of a cover! Amazing. Good luck with your search.

 

[jdlough]

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions? Now with Follow-up!!!

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions? Now with Follow-up!!!

At any rate, I learned first-hand, that I'd rather own a 1985 garaged-kept Bayliner than a yard-exposed 1999 Glastron.

iBoats forum advice (over thousands of posts) really smacks you in the head when you have to spend your own money on a used boat. iBoats advice keeps me sane.

And that Glastron is back on Delaware Craigslist, for any DYI folks....

http://delaware.craigslist.org/boa/1078722107.html

Jim

 

[krakatoa]

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions????

Ugh! Why do people let nice boats go to sh!t for the simple lack of a cover! Amazing. Good luck with your search.

You are right! this things make me cry.......

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

Sorry to hear about that boat it sure sounded good. As I said above I love mine. Keep searching and you will find the right boat. Good luck and happy boating.
I too wonder why people just dont take care of things. It would be much easier and better for all people.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

Could he explain why the motor was older than the boat???

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

Good job walking away from that boat. Given the complete lack of maintenance on the interior, I'd expect the same treatment was given to the outboard. It's obviously been left outside all the time. Yuck!

 

[jdlough]

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

Re: 1999 Glastron GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

Re: Why the motor is older than the boat.

I called the dealer that sold the current owner this boat. (I don't think I can mention the dealer's name in the forums - No advertising/promotion policy.) I had the tiniest lost-cause hope that maybe Glastron gas tank deck access covers were always springy, and it wasn't really rotten. No such hope.

The seller said this was the sales manager's personal boat. (I thought, "Uh huh".)
The dealer actually confirmed this. (And I believe it - they definitely knew this exact boat) Everyone there remembered it - that he had had it outfitted so well. That he swapped out a smaller motor for the 150HP (from a boat on the lot), and that it was a "Rocket".

They were quite PO'd. The last time they had seen it (3 years ago when they replaced a busted tach), they saw he was letting it go to sh*t, and from me they learned that now it was heading there in full-sh*t mode.

The one good thing was discovering this dealer. I gave them EVERY opportunity to sell me something else that he had in stock, and he said (paraphrasing), ?Nahh, unfortunately every used thing I have right now that you might be interested in is sh*t. ? I?d have to swap a shi**y motor to a shi**t boat that you wouldn't be happy with, and I?m not going to do that. I do have some great center consoles and pontoons and such, but that?s not for you. I?m just trying to get rid of my used sh*t with a wholesaler. I took all this crap in on trade-ins to sell what new I have, and everybody thinks their POS trade-in boat is worth thousands. I wouldn?t want to sell any of it to an actual customer.? He gave me his phone numbers for his reupholster guys, and fiberglass guys, (in case I ended up with the other guy?s trashed Glastron) and for the next 30 minutes (I had to pull over ? I was driving to work and didn?t expect this) walked me entirely thru compression and other checking of an outboard, until he was sure I got it. He just about offered to come and do it himself ? I had to let him go so I could get to work. But NO SALES pressure from him. Not just this one guy, but all the folks there were just so helpful with advice on a boat they weren't even selling, it was friggin weird. Maybe it?s an Eastern Shore thing.

He even gave me great advice if I want to check out this boat, or the next one.
Example, Check lower oil ?
? Milky/Water = bad.
? Dirty/black = Probably OK (expect this IF you know it's old oil),
? BUT NEW/SHINEY oil = CAUTION! - maybe some bullsh*tter trying to hide a leaky seal with new oil.

I never considered the bullsh*tter?

Jim

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

? Dirty/black = OK (EXPECT THIS if you know it's old oil),
? BUT NEW/SHINEY oil = some bullsh*tter trying to hide a leaky seal with new oil.

I don't completely agree with this. I have an old outboard so I figure there's a pretty good possibility of a seal going bad during the season and letting water in the lower unit. Therefore I change my lower unit oil every fall before it gets stored for the winter (I don't want water to crack the case if there is any). My oil has always looked pretty darn similar coming out as what I'm putting in. Secondly, if I were to decide to sell my boat today the oil would look new and shiney cuz it would be fresh from storage.

Oh and by the way, I can't think there'd be any reason you couldn't say the dealers name especially since your comments were positive.

 

[jdlough]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

ezmobee,

Good point. But he did say that if you expect to see old oil, you should SEE old oil. But too-good-to-be-true oil is something to be aware of, that I hadn't considered.

Ok, the dealer is Bob?s Marine Service, http://www.bobsmarineservice.com/ , in Clarksville, Delaware. And I'm not promoting this dealership - just stating facts.

I have much more nice things to say about these folks, but my post (as usual) was getting a bit long.

I hope to deal with Bob's soon.
Jim

 

[triumphrick]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

? BUT NEW/SHINEY oil = some bullsh*tter trying to hide a leaky seal with new oil.

This is why you will want to do the lower unit oil check after a trial run. If there is a leak, it will turn that shiny new oil into milkshake by the time you get back. Also, that is the time to do the compression test. Pull the ignition lanyard, crank for a few seconds with the gauge in and move on to the next cylinder. Just tested four motors helpin a buddy buy a used center console. That gauge got a workout!!
By the way, the boats we were looking at were all Pro Line center or dual consoles. All four had 150 Merc's. most readings were 125. He bought the rig with honest low mileage and the gauge read 140 psi; even in all 6 cylinders.

 

[jdlough]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

triumphrick,

Also good point, but the Bob knew I just doing a quick check in the rain, of a non-maintenance owner's boat, before the real check the following weekend.

But you do make a good point. If you judge the seller to be a conscientious boat owner, there is a good reason for good oil.

Triumphrick, any chance you have an outboard-powered deckboat 4 sale???

Jim

 

[triumphrick]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

Sorry, Jim...no deck boats here! Now Tashasdaddy on the other hand was talking about his boat the other day. Can't quite remember what he was doing with it, but give him a pm and see what he has to say!
Good luck with your quest. Craigslist has been a boon for me. So far I have bought or helped others to buy four boats in the past two years!
The deck boats show up here occasionally. It's a shame you're so far away!
By the way, that dealer you talked to seemed really decent and straightforward. He seems like a good guy to become friendly with. Who knows, he may just end up with a deal for you over time.
By the way, did you happen to look at his Key West dual console he still has in there? I know a new one is a lot of money, but maybe he might have a used one come back in. It's a boat with a neat layout and Key West makes a good boat.

 

[jdlough]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

Yeah,

A dual console would be great. I'd love the extra added safety when the big waves come up in the Chesapeake Bay. But mostly, where I'd be, is the Nanticoke River at the Bay mouth, dragging relatives around on a tube. Low tide's really low. So a low-draft boat is for me (for a first real boat, anyway. - I mean one with a steering wheel). As a first real boater, I plan to never get anywhere near the bay if the weather looks iffy. So a deckboat or bowrider is my choice (unless a nice 19' DC with a 150HP OB being sold cheap by a PO'd ex-wife appears.)


Jim

 

[ZK]

Re: 1999 Glastron (fake) GS180...Opinions? (Now with Follow-up!!!)

Example, Check lower oil ?
? Milky/Water = bad.
? Dirty/black = OK (EXPECT THIS if you know it's old oil),
? BUT NEW/SHINEY oil = some bullsh*tter trying to hide a leaky seal with new oil.

I never considered the bullsh*tter?

Jim

When I bought my 1981 with a 1981 Johnson outboard, I expected NO maintenance. I got it so cheap, I just assumed you get what you pay for. I was willing to put in some time to get it right.

I checked the oil, and it was clear. I immediately thought something was up, a seal was bad, and he was covering it up. The oil had water in it, and this was a cover up, the oil was old, and it was a cover up...

I was dead wrong.

It had just been maintained perfectly it's entire life.

I also agree with what someone says about covers. No one likes spending a day on a lake, and then having to cover their boat, which can sometimes take awhile... But my boat is stored inside all winter long (has been it's whole life), and outside in summer. It has never seen rain without a cover. And it shows.

It's an old boat, but there's nothing wrong with it.