Anyone remember Glassmaster boats?

[speed29668]

This may be a question for old salts. I would like an opinion and information on Glassmaster boats; that is if anyone remembers them. They were discontinued in the early 1990's. I have mentioned the name twice to marine professionals before purchasing my boat, and both times the responses immediatley were "great hulls". I have been boating for over a year now and my boat is a 1973 17 foot Glassmaster V-hull with a closed bow. The reason I am asking for opinions is because this boat has been suprisingly stable and durable, especially for its age and technology. The floor and primary points of the hull (stringers, transom) are in excellent shape. This has been out to sea several times and banged VERY HARD on waves in rough seas and never gave any indication that the integrity of the hull was compromised, nor did it ever feel unsafe or unstable in 3-foot seas. A couple of waves were taken over the transom into the splashwell, none of which posed the slightest problem and drained out immediately of the splashwell. This honestly feels like a well built boat for what I paid for it. I would like to know what can be done to improve upon the design of this boat if anyone is familiar with it. One thing specifically is what can be done about positive flotation and self-drainage to make this further sink/swamp resistant. None of the chambers under the floor have foam. Two support knees next to the transom are filled with foam. The gunwales also have foam under them. Thanks in advance and I am excited to hear any information about them since info is so scarce on Assmast..., huh, that is Glassmaster boats.

 

[VaBeach1234]

Re: Anyone remember Glassmaster boats?

Hey Speed,<br /><br />I can't answer any of your questions but just wanted to let you know that I purchased a 1988 S-196 Glassmaster Center Console with a Mercury 90 hp about 2 weeks ago. So you're not alone. It needed quite a bit of cleaning before she was water ready but all in all she was in good shape. I'm quite pleased with it and am enjoying my time on the water in it. It's very well laid out and has a lot of room for an 18' boat, she seems like a 22'. Sorry I couldn't answer any of your questions but I just wanted to let you know that there are a few other Glassmaster owners out here.

 

[crewscontrol]

Re: Anyone remember Glassmaster boats?

OK so my post is only 8 years old, but I just signed up as a member. Regarding Glassmaster Boats......

They were a family owned business located in Lexington, SC. They made fiberglass boats for over 40 years. They were and still are considered to be some of the best and strongest boats ever made. What made these boats so good may have been what finally put them out of business. They were made TOO GOOD.

I visited the plant several times. There were NO fiberglass chopper guns in the plant. Every piece of a Glassmaster boat was hand laid - and I do mean EVERY PIECE.

I have two Glassmaster boats. One is a 1986 21 foot Regency cuddy cabin with a 230 HP Mrecruiser and Alpha stern drive that I bought new and keep at my lake house. This boat has survived many 10 month long boating seasons, dragging 3 children and all their friends all over the lake on skis, and is still going strong. It does not have an hour meter but in 24 years of use I am sure it has at least 1500 hours on it. I NEVER had any trouble with it and it still looks brand new, even the upholstry and carpet which are all original.

My second Glassmaster was purchased from the original owner in 1999. It is a classic 1964 17 foot with 110HP Mercruiser. This was one of the very first Mercruiser stern drives. It does not have hydraulic trim and tilt and the outdrive is factory painted white, not black.

Like the 1986, this Glassmaster still has the original upholstry and runs perfectly. The original owner took it from Charleston SC to Miami FL via the ICWW many years ago. It is still solid and is used often. When I take it out on the lake, it really attracts attention kinda like a classic automobile.

 

[jte1282]

Re: Anyone remember Glassmaster boats?

Just to let you know. Glassmaster Boats was originally bought out by Monofilament in the 80's sometime. The four men who started this company were geniuses at everything they did and would never have built a cheap, inferior boat. They were all about quality and durability

 

[Philster]

Re: Anyone remember Glassmaster boats?

Old thread.

 

[Walcott]

Re: Anyone remember Glassmaster boats?

OK so my post is only 8 years old, but I just signed up as a member. Regarding Glassmaster Boats......

They were a family owned business located in Lexington, SC. They made fiberglass boats for over 40 years. They were and still are considered to be some of the best and strongest boats ever made. What made these boats so good may have been what finally put them out of business. They were made TOO GOOD.

I visited the plant several times. There were NO fiberglass chopper guns in the plant. Every piece of a Glassmaster boat was hand laid - and I do mean EVERY PIECE.

I have two Glassmaster boats. One is a 1986 21 foot Regency cuddy cabin with a 230 HP Mrecruiser and Alpha stern drive that I bought new and keep at my lake house. This boat has survived many 10 month long boating seasons, dragging 3 children and all their friends all over the lake on skis, and is still going strong. It does not have an hour meter but in 24 years of use I am sure it has at least 1500 hours on it. I NEVER had any trouble with it and it still looks brand new, even the upholstry and carpet which are all original.

My second Glassmaster was purchased from the original owner in 1999. It is a classic 1964 17 foot with 110HP Mercruiser. This was one of the very first Mercruiser stern drives. It does not have hydraulic trim and tilt and the outdrive is factory painted white, not black.

Like the 1986, this Glassmaster still has the original upholstry and runs perfectly. The original owner took it from Charleston SC to Miami FL via the ICWW many years ago. It is still solid and is used often. When I take it out on the lake, it really attracts attention kinda like a classic automobile.

.

I have a 1969 glassmaster runabout. Information is few and far between about these things, but reading that post made my day. I love my glassmaster and I am glad to find out that they where such a top notch company. Thank you for this. I am going to link this information to my fellow glassmaster information hunters.