Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

[junkpile]

I wasn't really in the market for a boat but a coworker has an inlaw with a 15' Glassmaster V hull for sale cheap.
(I've been reading posts here for years, but this finally got me to sign up, so this is my first post here)
The title says it's a 1985 model, but it's got a state assigned hull number and no factory info at all on the hull other than two Glassmaster decals. It's the type of hull that looks like lapstrake wood and it's got a three piece glass windshield. It measures 15' on the money tip to stern.
It reminds me a lot of an old Sea King boat we when I was a kid in the 60's but with a modern windshield.
I did a web search on it and came up with very little on Glassmaster boats. What did they call their 15' V hull runabout?
What sort of HP will it take? (Its got a 40hp Tohatsu on it right now but the controls are in pieces. The rest of the boat looks great. The owner tells me the transom was 'poured' or cast using something like Seacast.
The boat has back to back seats.
The motor runs and sounds good, he said the motor was new with the boat but the boat hasn't had much use over the years. It does look good but has a few nicks and dings that need touching up.
The price is right I guess, I figure just the motor alone is worth the $250 he wants for the boat, motor, and trailer.
Might anyone know what model this could be? Sorry, no pics yet, I need to find a good cheap camera I guess, I've got no clue how to get pics from my phone to here).

 

[Borgey401]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

I would check out that transom just to make sure. That's the last thing you'd want to go wrong when out on the water. a 40 HP outboard is nice for that size boat. I had a 25 HP on my 15' runabout and I got 23 MPH out of her (with just me on the boat). I am currently upgrading to a 40 HP now. If the motor fires up and runs well it's worth a lot more then $250 in my opinion. If you look used motors that are in running condition can go from around 800-1500 give or take area and condition. What is their asking price for the boat?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

For $250 you can't go wrong with that deal!

 

[mr 88]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

Went to fiberglassics.com library section and they have models listed from 59 to 1962,trademark 1970. So i would take a guess that since there are no numbers stamped into the transom on the outside stbd side that it is pre 1973.Windshield may have been replaced later on or stock,HP ratings are listed there as well.Good luck sounds nice.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

For $250 you can't go wrong with that deal!

LOL exactly what I was thinking!

 

[junkpile]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

The seller told me $250, and I doubt he'll budge much on the price.

I was thinking that if it had a plexiglass windshield before, the hull wouldn't have had the three angle shape that meets up to the windshield. It just fits too well to have been a retrofit.

The biggest issue will be finding controls for the motor, what's there now is in pieces and don't look complete. The guy said something snapped in the control box so he took it apart. I think that's why the boat is for sale. The controls on it have no brand name and don't look like the Tohatsu controls I see online.
Does anyone know what controls will work with a 1985 or so Tohatsu?

The transom looks like its solid, I can stand on the lower unit and it don't move. The seller showed me a sample of the transom material that was used, it's sort of a pink/tan color resin with what looks like chopped up fiberglass throughout it. It reminded me of a piece of peanut brittle, only pink in color.

I went to Fiberglassics but found nothing that matches this boat. The 1970 trademark registry shown there though matches the logo on the steering wheel. The hull however has two black decals with 'Glassmaster" and an outline in reflective print.

I found this pic on the web:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270797812570#v4-38

The boat on eBay looks like the same boat except for the color and decal style on the sides. The one here is light gray with a dark gray band just below the rub rail and the side decals are sort of rectangular, white on black decals.

What model is this? I see a Glassmaster 500P model listed that seams to match according to the specs listed here:
http://www.abos.com/Marine-Blue-Book/Outboard-Boats/Glassmaster/1975/500D-GMS
Without a pic I can't be sure if this is or isn't the same model boat.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

Well to be honest I don't think you'll find a boat cheaper then $250. Controls will run you around $100-200 give or take. With a $250 boat you can't be too picky if you know what I mean. Just grab the thing the motor alone if it's in the shape you say it's in is without a doubt worth more then that.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

The trailer alone is probably worth at least $150 - running motor is another $300 - and a decent hull to boot!?! Grab it and flip it for $400 if nothing else.

The boat in the ebay ad is a slick little boat. It'd be a fun ride.

Hope it goes well for ya'.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

Check the Glassmaster section of the forum. You may be able to figure out what it is from the pics in those threads. It's description actually sounds a lot like mine that I just sold, but that was without motor or trailer.

 

[junkpile]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

I went by today after work and bought the boat but he's got to dig it out of the garage. I hope to have it here before the end of this weekend. I got it for $200.
(It's stored behind his garage under a roof but has to pass through the fully packed garage to get out of his back yard, that may take him a while. Meanwhile I can get it transferred over and registered). He did say I can use his tag until I get the trailer weighed and registered for my own tags.
The trailer is decent but nothing special, an older bunk trailer with no brand name. He kept his tags and registration so I have to take the boat off it and get it weighed to get tags for it I guess. The boat has a clear title and shouldn't be any hassle to change over. I'll stop by the tax office here sometime during the week.

The back to back seats have to go, their in good shape but their too wide, it's hard to get between the seats and the rear section takes up too much room in the boat. I think I'd prefer a single seat that can spin around.
One big bonus was a Bimini top that works like a convertible top, it attaches to the windshield frame in the front with two straps at the rear.

 

[junkpile]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

Check the Glassmaster section of the forum. You may be able to figure out what it is from the pics in those threads. It's description actually sounds a lot like mine that I just sold, but that was without motor or trailer.

I just checked out the Glassmaster pages here, mine looks almost identical to the one in your pics from 2007, ( http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=210336 )
Mine has similar seats but mine aren't attached, they're just sitting on the carpeted floor. There's rubber feet on the bottom that keep them in place. They're just too wide.
I need to figure out a way to attach pedestals. I'm not sure how much depth I have below the deck to bolt to or bolt through. I was thinking of finding a pair of aluminum pedestal seats with the round bases. I doubt the deck is thick enough to just screw down cheap steel pedestals from Walmart?

I take it mine is pre 1972 since there's no sign of a HIN number on the transom, or anywhere else for that matter. The serial number on the title was assigned by the State of Florida in 1985, which is the year they put on the title but I have to assume that it's older since there's no factory HIN and there's no listing for a 15' V hull after 1977. I also noticed that the transom in 1976 is listed as 21" tall, mine is still 20" tall. The gelcoat is in pretty amazing condition for it's age either way, its rare to find a boat that still shines after years in the FL sun.
Being that Glassmaster is a FL built boat, I'm surprised there isn't more of them around?

The guy I bought mine off of had some pics showing the boat in various stages of rebuild several years ago, they ripped out the whole deck and stringers and replaced everything and poured in new foam. The deck is supposed to also be some sort of composite now but I'm not ripping into it to figure out what it might be. Its rock solid under foot and the boat feels light.
Why did you sell yours? Any insight on one of these? It appears you owned yours for a while, what condition was it in?
I've been boating for over 50 years and this is the first one of these I've owned or even seen.
I've seen newer and bigger Glassmaster boats but no 15' runabouts.
Something that I was really wondering is how well does this hull handle rough water?
I live close enough to run both salt and freshwater with mine. Although I mostly stay in the back bay and Indian river here I was wondering how it would do out front in the ocean on a calm day? It looks to have a decent shape to the hull and I'm guessing the ride will be pretty decent.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

You're not going to want to go anywhere near the ocean in that little boat. But, a bay is a different story. I see people in the bay where I live in 14'-15' boats all the time. The ocean is a big no no if you ask me tho! That's a totally different ball game.

 

[junkpile]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

I wouldn't go outside if it was rough but I've done it in a buddies 16' bass boat a few times and it was fine but we didn't go very far, only a mile or two out of Ft Pierce inlet.
There were some big rollers but the boat just rode up and down with no problems. If the sky turned, I'd run for cover.
I'm just curious if any one else has any experience in one of these boats in rough water. I'd not likely take the chance unless it were a real pretty day.
My thinking is that a boat this size can pretty much go out as far as one would cast out from the beach or so with no problems, the worst case would be I'd beach it if things got rough.

Most of my running will be in freshwater, in the river here and around Hutchinson Island and Jensen beach. I intend to set the boat up with a trolling motor and a decent fish finder. There's one in the boat now but its pretty old, I think it's an old Eagle 6100. I also intend to add some rod holders.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

I just checked out the Glassmaster pages here, mine looks almost identical to the one in your pics from 2007, ( http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=210336 )
Mine has similar seats but mine aren't attached, they're just sitting on the carpeted floor. There's rubber feet on the bottom that keep them in place. They're just too wide.
I need to figure out a way to attach pedestals. I'm not sure how much depth I have below the deck to bolt to or bolt through. I was thinking of finding a pair of aluminum pedestal seats with the round bases. I doubt the deck is thick enough to just screw down cheap steel pedestals from Walmart?

I took those back to back seats out when I replaced the floor. I built small boxes and put swivel mounted folding seats on the boxes, unfortunately I didn't take any pics. I would be very careful mounting pedestals, if I remember right there isn't much space from the bottom of the floor to the hull for fasteners.

I used mine in the Delaware River, rough water comes from tugboats, freighters and testosterone boats more than natural causes. I took water over the bow a couple times due to poor judgment crossing huge wakes. The boat handled it fine, but I wouldn't push my luck with it.

I sold it for the same reason most others do, to get a bigger boat. If I went fishing in it alone it was fine. 2 people in the boat fishing used up all the room, 3 people, forget it. For just cruising around the boat was fine.

Good luck with your boat!

 

[junkpile]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

I took those back to back seats out when I replaced the floor. I built small boxes and put swivel mounted folding seats on the boxes, unfortunately I didn't take any pics. I would be very careful mounting pedestals, if I remember right there isn't much space from the bottom of the floor to the hull for fasteners.
..............[/QUOTE

I got the boat home tonight. The back to back seats are coming out, they just don't leave enough room in between the two seats to get in and out of the driver's seat.
The deck in mine is carpeted and the seats are sitting on top of the carpet.

How did you attach your seat boxes?

I'm thinking of cutting out a section of carpet and using fiberglass resin to install a couple of anchor blocks in place and building a riser box which screws into the sides of the blocks. I drew up a quick pic of what I was thinking of doing. I've got a pair of aluminum seat posts and swivel bases I can cut down to the right height, once I figure out what that will be. Their probably not tall enough to use right on the deck and I doubt if the deck is supported enough to handle the stress of a pedestal and my weight when you consider the considerable leverage it will apply.
I would fiberglass and maybe even use a few short screws to hold the anchor boards in place, then cover the boards in resin and glass them right to the deck. Then I'd build the box to slide down over the top and use several horizontal screws to attach the box. I suppose I could even leave a hole in the front for storage but that will depend on how high I end up making the boxes. I would also paint or carpet the boxes to match the boat. The top of the box would be 3/4" plywood. The seat pedestal would be nut and bolted to the box, the box with attached pedestal would then be fastened to the secured block.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

What you drew is pretty close to what I did. I used one solid anchor block made out of pressure treated 2x material. If I remember correctly I glued it to the newly fiberglassed floor with PL Premium adhesive and screwed it to the plywood also. The anchor blocks were sized to just fit inside the boxes. The boxes I made from 1x8 pine, glued and screwed with Gorilla glue and deck screws, then covered with vinyl upholstery material. I just used swivel mounts, no pedestals but I think it would have worked for pedestals just as well, my boat was low enough that they wouldn't be necessary.

 

[junkpile]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

After some thought, I'm thinking maybe I should just make the seat boxes a bit taller and forgo the seat posts and just use swivels on taller boxes. That way I can use the space for some storage as well. I also thought about welding up seat boxes from aluminum, but haven't decided which would be lighter in the end. I'm afraid that the aluminum would flex too much or fatigue and crack.

I want a bit of extra height, something more than the back to back seats give me. I want the seats to be tall enough to give me a clear view of the water yet still be low enough that my head don't hit the bimini top when it's up.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

I think you are right on on wanting a taller seat. Driver's seats look the right height while you're in the driveway on a trailer, but out on the water, I usually just stand. So, the higher the seat, the better.

If you can beef up the deck with a layer or two of 3/4" ply (spread real wide, depending on your weight ), then install an adjustable height post seat, I think that may be best.
If you build a box, then install a swivel seat mount, that's cool too, but.... Those black swivel seat mounts that cost between $10-$15 swivel TOO easily for the pilot's seat (in my opinion). (In the store, they seem really stiff to swivel, but when you're sitting on them, they are too swively) For about $20-$40, you can find the same square seat mount, but it has a locking mechanism controlled by a handle, so you don't spin around when you hit a wake.

If you are going to make a seat box for storage, first get your tackle box trays (or whatever), measure them, and build the seat box so it fits them exactly as you want.

It looks like any part of that deal was a great nab. The trailer, the boat, or especially the motor alone are each worth more than what you paid. If you have buyer's remorse, just drag it up to Maryland, and I'll take it off your hands.


In my opinion the bimini tops that attach to the windshield, but are too low to stand under, are only usefull as a prop to hold the winter cover up over the boat. Out on the water they are useless and just get in the way, and lead you to installing a too short driver's seat.

 

[junkpile]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

I'm a big guy, so I need all the seat strength I can get.
I thought about just using round pedestals on the deck but I don't want to add a step up in the deck, and besides, the interior and carpet is pretty much mint in this thing. The deck is rock solid but I won't chance trying to anchor right to the deck as I have no idea how thick the deck is, nor how far below the outer skin of the boat is. Just guessing I'd say I don't even have room there for self tapping screws, let alone T nuts or molly bolts.
I like the idea of gluing and glassing down something to attach a box too, it seems the most logical solution. The under seat storage would be mostly for tools and other small items that don't need to be right at hand but need to be in the boat. None of my tackle boxes would fit under the seat, but you did give me an idea. Maybe I can built the seat boxes to accept Plano plastic containers? It would eliminate the need for a tackle bag.

I've used those metal swivels before, I've never thought they were an issue in rough water, usually they don't move all that easily with my weight on them. I've got a new set in my bass boat and I have to really throw my weight to make them move. The whole idea of the seat boxes with swivel seats is so the seat can be turned around to fish.

The bimini top is only for rainy days, I usually fish from under the top when it rains. I use it like an umbrella. So one that snaps to the windshield works well that way. If it were taller, I'd need to add a riser to the glass, which would make such a small boat very susceptible to the wind and hard to anchor off the bow since with the top up, there's no way for me to fit through the front window opening. A buddy of mine has a similar boat that I've fished from and I had an old 60's Sea King 30 years ago that was also the same style boat and about the same size. This may be a bit wider.
I did take it out and float the thing to check for leaks and to free up a few trailer rollers but I still don't have the motor controls sorted out yet so I didn't run it.
I did realize that its a real bear to get in and out of at the ramp when there's no dock. I couldn't swing the boat around to the side to get in since the motor would hit bottom, and I didn't want to walk on the bow and over the windshield either since the finish is like new yet. I doubt if I could get my leg up and onto the bow without a step of some sort anyhow.
I guess I need to make sure I launch from a ramp with a dock only with a closed bow boat.
I ended up getting wet to get in the boat.

 

[junkpile]

Re: Glassmaster 15' - Possible purchase

I spent today making the seat boxes, I tried making the boxes taller as not to use pedestals but found that the seat, sitting only on a steel swivel would flex and get caught on the corners of the box and seat. The base of the seat flexes around the swivel under weight. I tried both wood and plastic based seats, both were a problem. The only seat that didn't flex is too big for this boat.
I guess my only option is to cut down the boxes and use the short pedestals.
The seats I have are listed as 'Big Man' folding seats. Their an extra wide poly or pvc based seat with fully padded and upholstered covers. I've used these before with pedestals and have had good luck with them. The boat don't have room for anything larger or wider. These are as wide as the back to back seats were but since they swivel, it's much easier to get in and out of them.
All I need to now is go find some SS bolts, washers and locking nuts to permanently attach everything with. I went with steel pedestals vs. the round aluminum ones since the seats had only the square 4 bolt pattern.