Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

[nrf414]

Hello All:

Last Sunday I was able to purchase my first boat. It is a 1974 Glastron V156 with an Evinrude 85hp motor. This is my first boat. My towing rig is a 94' Chevy 1500 W/T 4x4 with towing package. I am an avid fisherman and wanted to really get engaged with the water and have the ability to go for stripers, pike, walleye, huge channel cats, and other larger freshwater fish. I have spent the last week or so just browsing the forums getting familiar with some of the terminology and tips and tricks. I plan on doing some work to my boat but I am on a somewhat limited budget. There are many cosmetic opportunities on this boat, that I can't wait to get my hands on. I plan on sandblasting / repainting my trailer and doing some other small stuff to my boat. The boat came with all coast guard reg equipment including a radio and plenty of PFD's.

I wanted to introduce myself and welcome any newbie tips / tricks that were not in the sticky post for beginners. Anyone else have a very similar boat?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

great little boat, will serve you well. post a picture of the winch and front of the boat. looks like bow stop is low. should be above the bow eye. for Gods sake put some tie down straps on the stern. quick stop, and you won't have a boat.

 

[jevery]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Looks just like my starter boat. Sure had a lot of good times in it. Take a boating safety class and remember - Don't drink too much and drive. Now get out there and get it wet. Spring's almost here.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Welcome , dont know if you have seen this web site http://www.classicglastron.com/74gl-v156sportster.html I just bought a t166 1976 sportser last spring , this fall I started to replace my stringer and transom , so mine in peices in the garage , How is your deck ? your hull looks pertty in good shape , we had alot of fun ours last summer tubing fishing, well just wanted to say hi and tell yea these guys really know there suff , so have fun John

 

[nrf414]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

great little boat, will serve you well. post a picture of the winch and front of the boat. looks like bow stop is low. should be above the bow eye. for Gods sake put some tie down straps on the stern. quick stop, and you won't have a boat.

There are also two very secure tie down straps on the back \/

 

[nrf414]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Welcome , dont know if you have seen this web site http://www.classicglastron.com/74gl-v156sportster.html I just bought a t166 1976 sportser last spring , this fall I started to replace my stringer and transom , so mine in peices in the garage , How is your deck ? your hull looks pertty in good shape , we had alot of fun ours last summer tubing fishing, well just wanted to say hi and tell yea these guys really know there suff , so have fun John

She's wet today, but not by my control.

I read the marine carpet thread last night and just cracked up. She has carpet in her. I decided not to cover it til it thawed and I got to clean it. Well wouldn't you know this week has been the highest snowfall all winter.
Bring on SPRING!

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Welcome and congratulations. Back in the 80's I think I had an identical rig - same boat and same engine. As I recall it was a zippy little boat - probably even a little too zippy for me. Have a great time, but keep your engine maintenance up and really put some thought into safety - particularly if you have precious cargo aboard. I have a rule on my boat: Everyone wears a life jacket all of the time. And best of luck with the fishing. I hope you have a great time. - Woodnaut

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

first thing you need to do is modify the winch stand. it is way too short, the rubber pad is suppose to be where the red marks is. you may have to extend your bunks, and move the boat back on the trailer to accomplish this.

there are too many pictures where the boat crawled up the back of the tow vehicle, in a sudden stop.

 

[vess]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

That's a great little boat- I have the 1972 V156, copper color. It has an old 1961 75 HP Johnson, as you can see, but she has served us well. Even with 3 kids we have loved using that boat, though I have since upgraded to a little larger boat. Still have the Glastron- can't seem to let it go yet. Keep it covered- it will stay nice for you much longer. And Tash is correct about the bow stop- mine is above the bow ring as well. Maybe you can mess with that when you have time. Enjoy! It's a great first boat. Light, easy to trailer.

 

[fishnohio]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

i also have a v 156 sportster mine is a 1974 and has a 85 horse merc don't know a whole lot about it yet it is in pieces right now, doing a overhaul on the floor stringers and transom and everything else, it is also my first boat and i can't wait to get it back together and hit the lake.
Mine will be a fishing boat also....good luck.......... Mike

 

[redfury]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

I wanted more room for fishing so I went with the V179. That trailer looks like it was meant for a bass boat. I'd definitely look at a new winch tower. They aren't ungodly expensive, and the right one will make pulling that boat up on the trailer much easier. As it sits, you are pulling the nose down while you try to drag the boat UP the trailer. You are going to be fighting friction and putting undo stress on the eyelet. You want that winch strap to pull the boat almost even with the trailer if possible. I don't know if the pictures in my link show what it looks like on my boat ( heck, it could be wrong for all I know ). What I do know is that you want the eyelet below the rubber stop.
The reason as stated, is to keep the boat from riding up during an emergency stop. If you have it the right way, the eyelet and strap will catch on the "V" and keep the nose down.

Nice looking boat though...just gotta paint that glastron "V" back onto it. It would look nice in the blue that's already there if you didn't want the factory paint scheme.

 

[redfury]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Geez, I just looked at mine, and mine isn't right either. I don't see a way to put it right without changing the location of the eye though....

I'm going to certainly have to have a second way of securing that bow eye.

 

[nrf414]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Vess - Awesome picture!

redfury - Your rebuilt trailer looked awesome! I agree I'm not sure if there is a way to change the position without relocating the eye. I am going to look into a new winch tower or a custom fab solution. My dad is a welder.

Thanks to everyone so far w/ great tips...

 

[redfury]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

The closer I look at these glastrons, the more I realize that the only real way to solve this problem is to either relocate the eye ( not easy or preferred ) or having to definitely have a second way to secure the front of the boat down. I'm probably going to go the with the second option and use some system with closed fasteners ( like a D ring with a secured connection that screws tight and a length of strong chain bolted to the tower ).

 

[vess]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

If you look at my pic in the water, you may be able to see just above the bow eye a black mark- that is where the bow stop hits. I wouldn't move the bow eye lower- it will be under water if you do that. My trailer is a 1964 Teenee, and the bow stop is located differently from yours. Previous owner was a welder, so he may have modified my trailer at some point, but either way, if you aren't able to move the stop, at least run a safety chain up from the frame so it won't ride into your car when you stop hard.

 

[oops!]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

welcome to i boats...

just wanted to let you know...

that was my familys first "new" fiberglass boat.......actually ours was a t 156
a later modle.....

WE HAD A BALL with that boat....ski.....and fish....and man did we catch fish.....loved that old glasstron.

i know youll enjoy yours

cheers
oops

 

[nrf414]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Now, all I need is a trolling motor and an idea where I can mount it.

Any ideas on the mounting place and size trolling motor for this size boat?

 

[Supersport18]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Just sold mine to my brother 1970 V-156 W/ 60 hp johnson. It would do about 35 on gps and it felt like 80. Be careful with that 85 and check your transom thoroughly for rot. That was the max hp you can put on one of these and that's when the boat is brand new. Paid $500 for mine off a cherry farmer who had always stored it indoors. Good Luck.Great boats.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Glastrons are great boats. They originated the deep vee hull design in small boats and were extensively imitated. The crease in the side and the sculpted transom were trsademarks of early Glastrons. So was the Glastron "swoosh" on the sides which your hull does not have. (similar to the Nike swoosh)

They are light and fast. With your 85, if correctly propped, 45 MPH is a definite and 50 or more is not unreasonable to expect. A V153 on the Classic Glaston site was going 55 plus with a Merc 115 and two people in it. The tri-hull will be a bit rough riding in chop as all tri-hulls are.

However: Early Glastrons were known to be a little thin in the topsides and prone to floor rot. So, if your floor feels a bit soft, expect to replace it and possibly repair the stringers in the near future. The transoms tend to bow out under the weight of the engine with age. This is mechanical as opposed to rot. If the transom is not soft, a simple fix or prevention is to cap the transom with a length of 2 inch by 3 inch 3/16 thick aluminum angle on the inside and top.

I see you have PA numbers. Where are you from? East, Mid, or West PA.

 

[nrf414]

Re: Glastron V156 - 1st Boat

Hey everyone, the glastrons are great boats. I had tons of fun with mine last summer as it supported all my needs (at leat to start out with) As I had posted in a different thread, I was looking at some older smaller cuddy cabins for a little more room and smoother ride. Well 3 weeks ago I sold the Glastron to a lucky fellow as his first boat. The boat was very solid but could use some updating. The boat served me well.

So not to hijack this thread, but to keep all in the loop interested, Today I bought a 1994 Bayliner Capri 1952 with a 3.0 Mercruiser EFI. I will keep you guys updated with new pictures soon.

I live in franklin county and boat primarily on Raystown, Potomac and Susquehana. I am hoping to do some bay work on stripers this year.