Glastron or Rienell?

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

I am in the market for a new boat, and I found 2 boats at the boat show here in Syracuse going on right now. I got approved for both of these brand new boats.

2010 Glastron GT 205 with 4.3L Volvo Penta GL, roswell wake tower, blacked out low pro windshield, custom bow and cockpit canvas, and XL package which has to be custom built. $30k and change after tax. I had my heart set on this boat going into the show.

One on display at the show.

I stumbled upon this around the corner...

2009 Rienell 191 LSE with 4.3L Volvo Penta GL, Samson wake tower with audio package, transom til option, and some other goodies. When I opened the engine compartment, I definitely could smell fuel but being a carb'd engine i figured this may be normal and sales guy said it would be all fixed and 100% before delivery. $27k out the door, with a sticker of $35 brand new.

I have never heard of Rienell before this show as we have always

Any thoughts?

 

[superpop]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

By approved, I hope you mean by your wife and not a bank. If you are financing this boat you do realize that you will have a boat that is worth 20K the moment you sign the papers and hitch it to your tow vehicle. So you are basically taking 7-10K and lighting it on fire. Then you have all the finance charges, which means you are really lighting close to 20K on fire. Sorry if this sounds preachy but hey, it is. I am not a big fan of financing toys. For 30 grand you can get so much more from a gently used 2 or 3 year old boat. Rienell and Glastron are both entry level boats so quality will be about the same. Looking at 1 to 2 year old boats of this brand with the options you mention are running about 20-22K through private party. A week ago on craigslist there was a 2007 Cobalt 20 footer for 30K with a tower. And it is not even in the same ballpark with regards to drive package and features as these new boats. I paid 24K for a 2 year old Chaparral with 40 hours on it that literally still had some of the packing materials from the factory sitting in the storage lockers. Sold new for 45K and the guy never used it. Just some food for thought before you spend a lot of money.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

Can't say as I'm fond of the yellow, though.

Unless you're willing to accept the big depreciation hit, take superpop's advice to heart.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

I know about the depreciation, it goes for the same as a car. I have been looking for months now at used bowrider boats, even went to look at 15 of them now. I thought used was surely the way to save some money... BUT On every single one I have seen one or more of the following. I have seen moldy rotted out seats, torn carpet, rotten carpet, dry rotten floor boards, cracked hulls, lower unit casing being cracked or the lower fin completely missing, blown motors, broken gauges and all mostly looking like they have been neglected by their owners. The boats were early 2000's with the 4.3L v6 and 19-21' in length and they were still being priced around $12-15K

Some of the issues have been small cosmetic ones which could be taken care of for a few thousand dollars in fiberglass work, but if they are neglecting care and maintenance on them.. I don't want to inherit someone else's problems and neglected boat. I am also wanting certain features on a boat which I cannot find on a used boat to make it my own. I've tacked on a couple thousand for my wake board tower alone which is meant for the boat and not some universal $800 cob job off e-bay.

I am a do-it your self guy and am not afraid of some fabrication work, but with getting the wake board tower factory installed from glastron I won't be voiding my VEC warranty for running the chance of spider cracking the gel coat, and it will be properly supported by thickening of those areas on the gunnel for strength during construction. I have added alot of cost, but I am only planning on buying a boat once and keeping it for the next 20-25 years.

I don't like loans very much either, but I see this boat in my life for the next 20-25 years as our last glastron built in 75 lasted nearly 40 years before we donated it to charity. Having waterfront property makes keeping a boat very easy as living right next to the water can't be beat.

Thanks for all the suggestions thus far guys. I understand where your coming from.

Also, I am not married and just out of college with a good paying job. So for only being 23 years old the boat won't be going to waste and i'll be getting my money out of it.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

A full factory warranty is nothing to sneeze at, and if you're going to keep it until the end of its natural life, new is not a bad way to go.

The boats are fairly comparable in terms of equipment, so choose the one you like best!

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

I bought new and have no regret. What I have is a boat that I know the history of and a warranty in case something goes wrong. I appeciate the comments about depreciatio "out the door" but I did not and I assume you do not plan on selling it then. You take the depreciation hit if and when you sell. And if you keep it long enough and maintain it well, you
may never take the hit. Good luck and enjoy the piece of mind, freshness and warranty on your new boat!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

Check out Glastron's new moulding facility on www. Very impressive. Brand has been around for a long time and build well designed reliable boats. Used to live in Austin, TX. where the factory once was and they were everywhere. One local US President even owned one. It was a 20' and they built it specially for him with a 454 cu in Chevy. He used to drive the SS nuts because he could outrun their chase boat....nothing could catch it. The lake he often used is now named after him in central Texas.

The hull coming out of this new facility is smooth riding and dry, light an strong.

Mark

 

[JimMH]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

I bought a new 2008 Larson 208 LXI last year from a dealer about 450mi from me. I got a boat that list for over 36k for 24K. It is new and is the boat I had been looking for with the motor and VEC technology. I have seen the same boat selling used for much more in recent months. I had a Glastron 195SX with made with VEC and had a 4.3GL volvo. It was a fine boat. When I decided to move up in size I decided I wanted the V8 power for the heavier boat. The Glastron was a fine boat and I had it for 8 years with no problems.
The Rienells are made by a family owned company make a good quality boat.

 

[superpop]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

After looking again at both boats I would probably take the Rienell, It is a bit shorter and probably more appropriate for the motor package. Also I have a Samson tower and they are top notch, nothing cheap about them. If you want a 20 footer and are planning on keeping it for a long time, and plan on using it for water sports, you may want to see if they will upgrade the V-6 to MPI or try and get the dealer to upgrade to a V-8. I had a Wellcraft Excel 195ss sport boat that was 19'.5" long and with the Volvo 4.3L Carbed version it would do fine but was a struggle with some of the more portly boarders (me). Plus the MPI is awesome for both an easy start and fuel economy. You may be able to find a leftover 2009 that has the V-8 and tower for the price you want to pay. I would go to 2 or 3 dealers and put them to work for you. Tell them you want a 2009-2010 20 footer with a high quality rack and a V-8 or MPI V-6. Tell them what you want to spend and they will find the boat for you. You might also want to check out Blue Water and Tahoe, they both make decent boats at the price point you are looking at.

 

[superpop]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

Here is what i am thinking. Something like this seems like a decent deal for new.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/1598330268.html

 

[TBONE59]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

I've been reading these forums for the last few months now and i figured it was time to register and leave some input here.

I do agree (to a point) with pops that u can get a better deal going used.

however i have just purchased a new boat, my first was a used 1994 Fourwinns Fling, the boat wasn't taken care of too well but i did enjoy it for the short period i owned it (6 mths).

i was looking to get another used boat and i found i ran into the problems that you have also been experiencing, i just want happy with the used boats i was finding. i went to the Toronto boat show in search of more used boats and i ending up buying a NEW 2009 Glastron 205GT XL pkg w/bimini and the 5.0l mercruiser tks. i took the depreciation into consideration but the reason that i was happier going new was because i don't have to worry about what the boat has been through and i also plan on keeping this boat for more then a few years.

the 2009 was a few thousand cheaper then the 2010 and the only differences i could find was the storage under the seat, in the 2010 it has a plastic piece with with a cord and the 2009 is mesh that retains any cargo under the seat. also i wasn't happy with the amount of speakers in either 2010 or 2009 so i had them throw in 2 more.

i say go Glastron if u can get a new 09 it will save save you a few

oh and i came across this today that makes me much happier with my decision to go new http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=372809

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

Well I did some more research this morning and found a slew of bad raps about the Rienell boats and that Rienell just builds the boat. It is actually assembled by Kal Customs in California. They only sell roughly 1500 units a year and the hull is a hand laid fiberglass with marine plywood supports. I saw owners had a lot of issue with components falling apart, stereos falling out, and motor issues. So I went back to the show this morning and looked over the Rienell one more time and I could see some of the issues within the boat. The stereo was only press fitted into place and had no other mounting hardware. All the moldings were still intact but the overall quality seemed poor. I gave a couple portions a light tug and they began to seperate. Then I lifted the motor cover deck and the smell of gas was still there and extremely overwhelming for a boat that was supposedly brand new and never used. I told the guy I was no longer interested after reading what I had found online and confirming them when I inspected the boat more.

So in the end, I went with the Glastron. I know that's what I wanted going into the boat show, and feel more comfortable going with a boat company that I know.

They did offer the MPI 4.3L, but it would have been another $1500. My cousin has a 195mx Glastron wit the 3.oL volvo and for being a 4banger it was still able to get up and plane quickly when we were running the max weight. I am 6'3 and 200lb and all my other buddies and girl friends are smaller than I. So I feel the 4.3 GL won't have any issue yanking us out of the water.

One of the reasons I was attracted to the Rienell was because of the samson tower and I know of their quality. I have ridden on several boats equippted with them and Roswell towers. Both are very well made towers and priced around the same for their intro towers.

This boat is an 08 but with the tower I chose and the low profile wind sheild.

However the graphics are the red ones in the photos above. I feel very happy and extremely excited to be getting her mid May.

 

[Craigmri]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

For $1500 get the MPI. You get fuel injection reliability, less tendancy to get fuel vapors in the bilge, no weird dieseling at shut off, no cold start trickery, an extra 30+ hp plus better resale.

Craig

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

There's nothing wrong with going new. That way you know what has and has not happened to the boat. And you stand a better chance of not being on this board looking for advice on dealing with unforseen problems caused by previous owners.

I looked at Glastrons before buying a new SeaRay - we just fell in love with the SeaRay so went with that. The Glastrons looked like they had good fit and finish and a fairly heavy duty hull. I don't know much about the Volvo part of your boat so can't comment on that. Mercruisers dominate the market in this part of the continent.

Congratulations on the new boat!

 

[mike343]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

I am in the market for a new boat, and I found 2 boats at the boat show here in Syracuse going on right now. I got approved for both of these brand new boats.

2010 Glastron GT 205 with 4.3L Volvo Penta GL, roswell wake tower, blacked out low pro windshield, custom bow and cockpit canvas, and XL package which has to be custom built. $30k and change after tax. I had my heart set on this boat going into the show.

One on display at the show.

I stumbled upon this around the corner...

2009 Rienell 191 LSE with 4.3L Volvo Penta GL, Samson wake tower with audio package, transom til option, and some other goodies. When I opened the engine compartment, I definitely could smell fuel but being a carb'd engine i figured this may be normal and sales guy said it would be all fixed and 100% before delivery. $27k out the door, with a sticker of $35 brand new.

I have never heard of Rienell before this show as we have always

Any thoughts?

I wouldn't buy either one. The GL is carbureted.

 

[TBONE59]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

congrats on the purchase!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

There's nothing wrong with going new. That way you know what has and has not happened to the boat. And you stand a better chance of not being on this board looking for advice on dealing with unforseen problems caused by previous owners.

I looked at Glastrons before buying a new SeaRay - we just fell in love with the SeaRay so went with that. The Glastrons looked like they had good fit and finish and a fairly heavy duty hull. I don't know much about the Volvo part of your boat so can't comment on that. Mercruisers dominate the market in this part of the continent.

Congratulations on the new boat!

I don't have a Glastron, never had one, nor expect to purchase one, and don't work for, with, or around them. Just stating facts as I know them.

Volvo 4 banger combo's (their engines and outdrives) were in the Glastron boats (at least in the 16-20' range) back in the early '60's that I know of. If they still pair up with Glastron there must be a reason.

My 2c.

Mark

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

I think you will be very pleased with the Glastron. We traded ours about 6 months ago. It was a fantastic boat. Very solid, put together well. I still miss it. Good luck with the new ride. I would go with the MPI though. Just my 2cents.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

I keep hearing that I should have went with the MPI, but after talking with some people about the cost benefits I am still glad I chose the Carburetor motor. First of all I have nothing against fuel injection, and in fact think it is a great accomplishment to be in boats now. They give improved fuel economy and better horsepower in the long run.

I did not purchase this boat to be a high performance boat, at least not for right now. I wanted a motor which had the power to pull riders out of the water with no problems, and didn't want a v8 engine. Maybe down the road when I get bit by the modding urge. I wanted a boat which has the power and torque curve down in lower RPMs which the carbureted engine has over the MPI engine. The MPI engine will have a better top end and faster speed no doubt.

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: Glastron or Rienell?

Congrats on your new boat TMW. When I noticed your location, I assumed you were talking about Three Mile Harbor on LI, where we used to keep a 19' Mako. Three Mile Bay sure is a long way from there!